Microsoft Defender is the antivirus security program that accompanies Windows since the times of XP. Formerly known as Windows Defender and more previously as Microsoft Security Essentialsis a solution that long ago left behind the terrible reputation of its first incarnations and that is enough to protect most users, but is not the only option against malware What does the operating system have?.
There are other tools, which also accompany the Microsoft operating system since Windows XP and whose mission is eliminate viruses and malware that may have infected a computer. It is about MSRTacronym for Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool or Microsoft Malware Removal Tool.
It was launched in 2005 and since then it has been integrated with the different versions of Windows that Microsoft has released over the years. It is possible to download it independently, but it is included in the updates of Windows Update. If you keep your operating system up to date, MSRT is also with the new virus and malware definitions that Microsoft incorporates into the tool every month..
MSRT is useful for certain use cases, but It is not a substitute for antivirusbe it Microsoft Defender or one from another provider. First, because it does not monitor the system constantly, as antiviruses do, so does not prevent infections. Eliminates them once identifiedwhen the user performs a manual system scan. And to eliminate them, they must be active. Malware that is not running will not be detected, something that an antivirus does.
It has other limitations. It is capable of remove the most widespread malicious software, but not all. In reality, no antivirus is capable of detecting everything there is, but Microsoft highlights this aspect to differentiate it. And although it can remove viruses, worms and Trojans, it does not remove spyware..
Since Windows updates it every month, it is a good resource for eliminating threats once they have entered the system and can be used without having to disable other installed antivirus solutions. MSRT is a complement to Microsoft Defender or another antivirus that strengthens the security of your computer. A ‘second opinion’ software, so to speak. Furthermore, its use is extraordinarily simple..
How to remove malware on Windows with Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool
To use MSRT, you must follow these steps:
- MSRT is not found in the list of Windows programs. To access the tool, you must press the keys Windows + R to open the command console. This will appear above the Windows start button, in a window with the name Execute.
- In the text field of Executewrites mrt —it is not a typo, the command is without the s— and click on Accept. When Windows asks if you want to let the program make changes to your computer, respond affirmatively.
- This will open a new window, already from MSRT. Click Following.
- Select the type of analysis you want to perform. You can choose between Quick analysis —examines the parts of the system most likely to contain malware—, Complete analysis —which can last several hours— or Custom analysis -if you only want to review a certain folder or hard drive-. If it finds malware, it will give you the option to delete it.
If you want to have the tool closer at hand and simply launch it from a shortcut, you can pin it to the taskbar when active.