Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free, downloadable security tool designed to protect Windows computers from malware. Acting as an on-demand Endpoint Scanning Tool, it helps identify and remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. This tool is invaluable for ensuring your system’s security, especially when you suspect a threat or want a second opinion alongside your primary antivirus software.
What is Microsoft Safety Scanner and Why Use It?
Microsoft Safety Scanner is essentially a specialized endpoint scanning tool. Endpoint scanning tools are critical in today’s digital landscape as they focus on securing individual devices, or “endpoints,” like your personal computer. Unlike always-on antivirus software, Safety Scanner is designed for single-use, on-demand scans. This makes it perfect for situations such as:
- Suspecting a Malware Infection: If your computer is acting strangely, running slower than usual, or displaying unusual pop-ups, an endpoint scan can help determine if malware is the cause.
- Second Opinion Scan: Even with robust antivirus protection, malware can sometimes slip through. Safety Scanner offers a second layer of defense to confirm your system’s cleanliness.
- Periodic Security Checks: Regularly using an endpoint scanning tool like Safety Scanner can be a proactive measure to catch and eliminate potential threats before they cause significant harm.
It’s important to note that Microsoft Safety Scanner is not a replacement for your primary antivirus solution. It does not offer real-time protection and does not automatically update. However, its focused scanning capabilities make it a powerful supplementary tool in your cybersecurity arsenal.
Key Features of this Endpoint Scanning Tool
This free endpoint scanning tool from Microsoft comes with several beneficial features:
- On-Demand Scanning: You initiate scans only when you need them, giving you control over when and how your system is checked.
- Malware Removal: Safety Scanner doesn’t just detect threats; it actively attempts to remove them and reverse any changes they’ve made to your system.
- Up-to-Date Definitions: The tool uses the latest security intelligence updates from Microsoft, ensuring it can detect even newly emerging threats. However, these definitions expire quickly.
- SHA-2 Signed: Ensures the tool’s authenticity and integrity, providing confidence that you are running a legitimate Microsoft application.
- Portability: As a portable executable (msert.exe), it doesn’t require installation and can be easily run from any location on your computer.
How to Run an Endpoint Scan with Microsoft Safety Scanner
Using Microsoft Safety Scanner to perform an endpoint scan is straightforward:
- Download: Download the latest version of the tool from the official Microsoft website. It’s crucial to download a fresh copy each time you want to scan to ensure you have the most current threat definitions.
- Run: Open the downloaded file (msert.exe). You may be prompted to run as administrator – allow this for the tool to function correctly.
- Select Scan Type: Choose the type of scan you want to perform. Options typically include Quick Scan, Full Scan, and Custom Scan. A Full Scan is recommended for a thorough check.
- Start Scan: Click “Next” to initiate the scanning process. The duration of the scan will depend on the size of your hard drive and the type of scan selected.
- Review Results: Once the scan is complete, Safety Scanner will display a summary of the findings. For detailed information, you can review the log file located at
%SYSTEMROOT%debugmsert.log.
After scanning and addressing any detected threats, you can simply delete the msert.exe file to remove the tool from your system.
System Requirements for Microsoft Safety Scanner
Microsoft Safety Scanner is compatible with a range of Windows operating systems, including:
- Windows 11
- Windows 10
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 8
- Windows 7
- Windows Server editions (from 2008 R2 onwards)
Ensure your system meets the SHA-2 support requirement to run the tool. Refer to Microsoft documentation for details on SHA-2 compatibility updates if needed.
Limitations to Consider
While a valuable endpoint scanning tool, Microsoft Safety Scanner has limitations:
- Not a Replacement for Antivirus: It lacks real-time protection and automatic updates, making it unsuitable as a standalone security solution.
- 10-Day Expiration: The downloaded tool expires 10 days after download. You must download a new copy for each scan to ensure up-to-date definitions.
- Manual Operation: Scans are only performed when manually initiated, requiring user intervention to maintain security checks.
For continuous, real-time protection, Microsoft recommends using Microsoft Defender Antivirus or other comprehensive antimalware solutions. Safety Scanner is best used as a supplementary, on-demand endpoint scanning tool for specific situations.
Related Resources:
For further information and troubleshooting, consult the official Microsoft support article on using Safety Scanner.
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