To protect Windows computers from harmful threats and hidden malware, Microsoft offers many ways to clean up a compromised system. You have the built-in Microsoft Defender (also called Windows Security) that scans the PC and keeps the computer free of unwanted software. But if Microsoft Defender fails to take any action against viruses, you also have Microsoft Safety Scanner at your service. Now, there’s a slight chance that you have never heard of Safety Scanner before, and we are here to correct that. So in this article, we will learn what is Microsoft Safety Scanner and how to use it to get rid of computer virus and spyware. On that note, let’s jump to the explainer.
Here, we have explained Microsoft Safety Scanner and its use-cases. You can also find the instructions on how to use this handy tool. Expand the table below and move to any section as per your convenience.
- What is Microsoft Safety Scanner?
- How to Use Microsoft Safety Scanner?
What is Microsoft Safety Scanner?
Just like Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Safety Scanner is a malicious software removal tool (MSRT) for Windows computers. It even shares the same engine and virus definition as Microsoft Defender. So what exactly is the difference between Microsoft Safety Scanner and Windows Defender?
Programs like Microsoft Safety Scanner come in handy when a PC is compromised, including major system components, and you are not allowed to install any software to check the security status. In this scenario, you can no longer trust the system and require an external program to review your PC’s security. Microsoft Safety Scanner scans the whole system and looks for malware, spyware, viruses, and all kinds of junk software. It also offers you to remove them with a single click.
First off, go to this page and download Microsoft Safety Scanner for free. Most modern computers are built on 64-bit architecture, so go ahead and download the 64-bit program. However, if you are confused, open Windows Settings and navigate to System -> About. Here, you can confirm the System Type.
If the tool finds no infected files, it will show the message: ‘The scan completed successfully and no viruses, spyware, and other potentially unwanted software were detected.‘
