Malicious Software Removal Tool is a free tool from Microsoft. It’s purpose is to find and remove malicious software (malware) from a computer. This tool is a post-infection removal tool, not a full anti-virus or anti-malware application. It can detect selected malware that are running or active on a computer. Initially released on January 2011, 2005, the Malicious Software Removal Tool works only on Windows operating systems including Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.
The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool runs in background and scans for malicious software on a computer. If this tool detects something, the administrator will be notified the next time he/she logs in. If some malicious software already modified the browser settings, Malicious Software Removal Tool will automatically redirect you to a page where you can restore those settings. If a computer is infected, Malicious Software Removal will prompt for removing the malicious software from those files. For manual removal, you must have an anti-virus application running on your system. Note: When a malware is detected, this tool sends some basic information to Microsoft.
Malware removed by Malicious Software Removal Tool:
This free application can remove many malicious software or malware. Some of them include: Afcore, Alcan, Alemod, Babonock, Badtrans, Bancos, Banker, Banload, Beenut, Bugbear, Busky, Captiya, Carberp, Cissi, Claretore, Cleaman, Codbot, Conficker, Conhook, Daurso, Dishigy, Dorkbot, Esbot, FakeInit, FakePAV, FakeScanti, FakeSecSen, FakeSpypro, FakeXPA, F4IRootkit, Fizzer, Folstart, Funner, Gamarue, Gibe, Hacker Defender, Hacty, Hamweq, Horst, Hupigon, InternetAntivirus, IRCBot, Kelihos, Kelvir, Koobface, Ldpinch, Lefgroo, Lolyda, Lovgate, Mabutu, Magania, Mimail, Mitglieder, Mydoom, Mytob, Mywife, Nachi, Netsky, Newacc, Nitol, OneScan, Passalert, Phdet, Plexus, Poison, Purstiu, Pushbot, Qakbot, Ramnit, Randex, Rbot, Reatle, Renocide, Rustock, Ryknos, Sality, Slenfbot, Sober, Sobig, Spybot, Spyboter, Szribi, Storark, Stration, Stuxnet, Swen, Taterf, Tibs, Tilcun, Torvil, Tracur, Unruy, Valla, Vesenlosow, Virtumonde, Virut, Vobfus, Vundo, Weelsof, Winwebsec, Wootbot, Wukill, Yaha, Yektel, Zbot, Zindos, Zlob, Zonebac, Zotob, Zuten and more.
Download & Update Malicious Software Removal Tool:
System Requirements:
The Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool works only on Windows operating systems. You can run it on following: Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. This tool will not run on any version of Windows 98, Windows ME, or Windows NT 4.0 operating system.
Downloading:
The Malicious Software Removal Tool is distributed freely via Windows Update and Microsoft Download Center. If your computer is set to receive Windows updates automatically, this tool is already in your computer! But if automatic updates are off, you can manually download Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830) from the Microsoft’s Download Center.
Steps to manually install Malicious Software Removal Tool:
- Download the free tool from this link.
- Once download is complete, run the executable file.
- Follow the instructions to complete installation.
Updating:
What about updating process? Microsoft regularly updates this tool. In fact an updated version of the Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830) is released on every second Tuesday of a month. If you are using this anti-malware tool, I suggest you keep automatic updating enabled (turned on) on your computer.