However, if prevalent, malicious software has infected your computer, the antivirus program may detect this malicious software and may prevent the removal tool from removing it when the removal tool runs. You do not have to disable or remove your antivirus program when you install the MSRT. Note The MSRT focuses on the detection and removal of malicious software such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses only. However, an antivirus product can perform this task.įor more information about how to protect your computer, go to the Microsoft Safety & Security Center website. The tool cannot remove malicious software that is not running. Active malicious software is malicious software that is currently running on the computer. The tool focuses on the detection and removal of active malicious software.Specific prevalent malicious software is a small subset of all the malicious software that exists today. The tool removes only specific prevalent malicious software.It is significantly more desirable to block malicious software from running on a computer than to remove it after infection. Antivirus products block malicious software from running on a computer.

The tool removes malicious software from an already-infected computer.The MSRT differs from an antivirus product in three important ways: Therefore, we strongly recommend that you install and use an up-to-date antivirus product. It is strictly a post-infection removal tool. The MSRT does not replace an antivirus product.

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