Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool

[Zygy]

I downloaded the original of this programme to a Desktop weeks ago and have
been receiving the automatic updates, scheduled for 08.00 daily.
I cannot find this programme elsewhere, not even in Add/Remove, whilst all
other programme, which have a shortcut on the Desktop also has an entry
somewhere, mostly in Programmes.
My question is this; - how do I confirm that all updates are activated in
the programme shown as a shortcut on the Desktop, whilst every time I click
on it to scan the computer I get a notice telling me to check on Microsoft
Update web for the latest version?

 

[Jose Gallardo]

This tool does not install anywhere. It only scans the machine.

See here:
"Note that the tool is not actually installed on a computer. Therefore, no entry is created for it in the Programs folder or in Add or Remove Programs."

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=890830

 

[Zygy]

Thank you for the reply. If such is the case why has it facility to
instigate a scan of the computer when I want it. If it scan the computer on
its own how do I find out at wat time to have the computer on?

This tool does not install anywhere. It only scans the machine.

See here:
"Note that the tool is not actually installed on a computer. Therefore, no
entry is created for it in the Programs folder or in Add or Remove
Programs."

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=890830

 

[Jose Gallardo]

In my opinion, you are confusing two things (I believe). You have spoken about Automatic Updates every day and Malicious Removal Tool, haven't you? They are differents tools.

 

[Richard Urban]

The file is downloaded, and the newest version is stored on your computer
every month - when it is updated.

Look in C:\Windows\System32 for mrt.exe

You can manually run this tool whenever you desire.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!



This tool does not install anywhere. It only scans the machine.

See here:
"Note that the tool is not actually installed on a computer. Therefore, no
entry is created for it in the Programs folder or in Add or Remove
Programs."

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=890830

 

[Zygy]

Thank you for the contribution, but when does it scan by itself as was
indicated by Jose Gallrdo? Incidentally I do not confuse the two things!
One follows the other! I get an Automatic Update, whenever Microsoft does
the update and I scan the computer with the above every day at my
convenience. He implied that the scanning is done by the programme, if so I
want to know when? How do I find out?

 

[Richard Urban]

It is done automatically ONLY when the update is initially downloaded during
the monthly release cycle. After that it manual if you want it to run.


--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Zygy]

Thank you for the information, but since the only way I can Run the scan is
from the shortcut Icon on the Desktop, my original question was:- does this
icon include all the Updates? If not, what do I use to initiate a manual
scan?
One more bit of information. My computer is being scanned at 13.00 daily for
about 8-10min. and I can categorically say that this scan is not initiated
by any of my other programmes. I checked and rechecked! So, is this
Malicious Software Removal Tool scan?

 

[Richard Urban]

Thank you for the information, but since the only way I can Run the scan
is from the shortcut Icon on the Desktop, my original question was:- does
this icon include all the Updates? If not, what do I use to initiate a
manual scan?

***********************************

Seeing as how mrt.exe is always placed in the same folder, if you place a
shortcut of mrt.exe on your desktop, it will always run the latest version.

***********************************

One more bit of information. My computer is being scanned at 13.00 daily
for about 8-10min. and I can categorically say that this scan is not
initiated by any of my other programmes. I checked and rechecked! So, is
this Malicious Software Removal Tool scan?

***********************************

Again, mrt.exe only runs automatically when it is downloaded during the
monthly hotfix download cycle.
Can you make it run automatically? Of course, if you want to. Just schedule
it to run with the scheduling program. But it is limited in that it only
looks for a handful of the most common and troublesome malware problems.

***********************************


--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Zygy]

Thank you for the very comprehensive answers. However, your point on scans
being performed only on the updates, my updates including the Malicious
Software Tool's are automatic and they occur during the months (the last one
was on last Friday or Saturday). The time taken to install them is very
short and there is no automatic scan afterwards!
The other point on scheduling the time of the scan. I am not given the
option on a right click of the desktop icon, so where else can I schedule it
if I wanted to?

 

[Jose Gallardo]

I could be interesting you send us a screenshot when the scanning takes place...

 

[Richard Urban]

The scan takes place in the background. You don't even know it is occurring,
or when it has finished, unless it finds something. Then you get a warning.
It IS quick!

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!