Microsoft Safety Scanner remains a valuable, free, on-demand scan tool designed to detect and remove malware from Windows systems, including older operating systems like Windows 7. If you’re still running Windows 7 and concerned about potential threats, this tool can offer an extra layer of security. Simply download and run it to perform a scan and attempt to reverse any changes made by identified malware.
Key Considerations for Windows 7 Users
It’s important to note that Microsoft Safety Scanner is exclusively SHA-2 signed. For Windows 7 users, ensure your system supports SHA-2 to run the tool correctly. Microsoft has provided updates to enable SHA-2 support on older systems. You can find more information about this requirement in Microsoft’s documentation on SHA-2 code signing support.
Alt: SHA-2 code signing support requirement for Windows and WSUS explained, ensuring software integrity and security on systems like Windows 7.
Important Facts to Remember
- Up-to-date Security Intelligence: Microsoft Safety Scanner uses the same security intelligence updates as Microsoft Defender Antivirus, ensuring it’s equipped to detect the latest threats. The version matches the definitions described on Microsoft’s security intelligence page.
- Manual, On-Demand Scanning: Unlike постоянно active antivirus software, Safety Scanner only scans when you manually run it. It’s not a replacement for real-time protection.
- Tool Expiration: The Safety Scanner expires 10 days after download. This encourages users to always download the latest version before each scan to benefit from the newest malware definitions, crucial for effective protection on Windows 7 and other systems.
- Portability: Safety Scanner is a portable executable (msert.exe). It doesn’t install or appear in your Windows Start menu, making it easy to use without system modifications. Remember where you save the downloaded file.
- Complementary Security: This tool is designed to complement, not replace, your primary antimalware solution. For continuous, real-time protection on Windows 7, consider using a robust antivirus program. Microsoft recommends Microsoft Defender Antivirus on newer Windows versions for ongoing protection and automatic updates. If you encounter persistent malware issues on your Windows 7 system, refer to guides on removing difficult threats.
System Compatibility for Windows 7
Microsoft Safety Scanner is compatible with Windows 7, making it a relevant tool for users still operating this system. It also supports more recent versions, including Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, and various Windows Server editions (from Windows Server 2008 R2 up to Windows Server 2019). Refer to the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy for detailed compatibility information.
Running a Scan on Your Windows 7 PC
- Download and Launch: Download the Safety Scanner tool from Microsoft and open the executable file.
- Choose Scan Type: Select the type of scan you wish to perform (Quick, Full, or Custom) to tailor the scan to your needs on your Windows 7 machine. Start the scan.
- Review Results: Once the scan is complete, review the summary displayed on screen. For detailed results, access the log file located at
%SYSTEMROOT%\debug\msert.log.
Alt: Steps to run a malware scan using Microsoft Safety Scanner on Windows, a helpful guide for Windows 7 users.
To remove the tool after use, simply delete the msert.exe file.
For further troubleshooting and information about Safety Scanner, consult the support article on how to troubleshoot problems using Safety Scanner.
While Windows 7 is no longer officially supported, using tools like Microsoft Safety Scanner can still provide an important layer of defense against malware. Remember to use it as a supplementary tool and consider upgrading to a supported operating system for the most comprehensive and up-to-date security protection.
