Malicious Software Removal Tool

Should I download Malicious Software Removal Tool or is it not necessary
with Vista Security Protection?

Zygy wrote:
> Should I download Malicious Software Removal Tool or is it not necessary
> with Vista Security Protection?

There is no "Vista Security Protection" product. Even though Vista was
designed to be a more secure operating system than XP, you still need an
antivirus, firewall (the built-in Vista Firewall is fine for most
people), and a non-viral malware scanner (the built-in Windows Defender
is fine for most people).

The Malicious Software Removal Tool is a limited program that searches
for some specific forms of malware. It will not hurt you to run it.

Malicious Software Removal Tool explanation -
http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Windows Update offers the scan once a month. (Look at your Update history,
when you open Windows Update). But yes, you can also download the Tool and
run it whenever you like.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

"Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:%23o6VBWexHHA.1188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Should I download Malicious Software Removal Tool or is it not necessary
> with Vista Security Protection?

Hi, Many thanks for the replies.I do already have all the other protections,
but as experts do you also run the Malicious Software Removal Tool?
"Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:%23o6VBWexHHA.1188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Should I download Malicious Software Removal Tool or is it not necessary
> with Vista Security Protection?

Zygy wrote:
> Hi, Many thanks for the replies.I do already have all the other
> protections, but as experts do you also run the Malicious Software
> Removal Tool?
> "Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:%23o6VBWexHHA.1188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> Should I download Malicious Software Removal Tool or is it not
>> necessary with Vista Security Protection?
>

I usually let it run on my Windows machines when it appears in the
monthly updates. It has never hurt anything. It has never found anything
either, but I run a tight ship on those computers. ;-)


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

The Malicious Software Removal Tool is updated through Windows Update once a
month. Windows Update runs the Tool "silently", without user input, unless
it finds a problem. If you want to see an interface, and a list of the
malicious software it checks for (which are hyperlinked for more info), make
a shortcut to C:\Windows\System32\mrt.exe (right-click on mrt.exe > Send To
> Desktop (create shortcut). With the interface, you can also choose a
type of scan (Quick, Full, or Customized). You'll see the progress of the
scan, and a report afterwards. As the Tool states, it's not a replacement
for an Anti-Virus product, but merely checks, on demand, for some of the
malicious-software biggies. In response to your initial question,
downloading it isn't really necessary if Windows Update is up-to-date.

"Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:OCPk1YrxHHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Hi, Many thanks for the replies.I do already have all the other
> protections, but as experts do you also run the Malicious Software Removal
> Tool?
> "Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:%23o6VBWexHHA.1188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> Should I download Malicious Software Removal Tool or is it not necessary
>> with Vista Security Protection?
>

Many thanks for the very comprehensive reply. However I cannot find the
Malicious Software Removal Tool, to apply your suggestion on a shortcut,
although I downloaded and run it. I looked in Start, Search, but I cannot
see anything resembling it. Can you suggest where I should look?
"dean-dean" <dean-dean@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:O9hRXfvxHHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> The Malicious Software Removal Tool is updated through Windows Update once
> a
> month. Windows Update runs the Tool "silently", without user input,
> unless
> it finds a problem. If you want to see an interface, and a list of the
> malicious software it checks for (which are hyperlinked for more info),
> make
> a shortcut to C:\Windows\System32\mrt.exe (right-click on mrt.exe > Send
> To
> > Desktop (create shortcut). With the interface, you can also choose a
> type of scan (Quick, Full, or Customized). You'll see the progress of the
> scan, and a report afterwards. As the Tool states, it's not a replacement
> for an Anti-Virus product, but merely checks, on demand, for some of the
> malicious-software biggies. In response to your initial question,
> downloading it isn't really necessary if Windows Update is up-to-date.
>
> "Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:OCPk1YrxHHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Hi, Many thanks for the replies.I do already have all the other
>> protections, but as experts do you also run the Malicious Software
>> Removal
>> Tool?
>> "Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:%23o6VBWexHHA.1188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>> Should I download Malicious Software Removal Tool or is it not necessary
>>> with Vista Security Protection?
>>
>

Hi Zygy. There is no shortcut made to the program, by default. Using
Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Windows\System32, and look for the file
named mrt.exe. Then right-click on that file and choose Send To >Desktop
(create shortcut). This will put a shortcut on your Desktop, which you can
rename Malicious Software Removal Tool. From there you can move it to
wherever you like. For example, if you want it in your start Menu,
right-click the Start button and choose Open. Then open the Programs
folder. Drag the icon into the folder you want. This will put the shortcut
in your Start Menu.

"Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:%23c8LBO6xHHA.2432@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Many thanks for the very comprehensive reply. However I cannot find the
> Malicious Software Removal Tool, to apply your suggestion on a shortcut,
> although I downloaded and run it. I looked in Start, Search, but I cannot
> see anything resembling it. Can you suggest where I should look?
> "dean-dean" <dean-dean@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:O9hRXfvxHHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> The Malicious Software Removal Tool is updated through Windows Update
>> once a
>> month. Windows Update runs the Tool "silently", without user input,
>> unless
>> it finds a problem. If you want to see an interface, and a list of the
>> malicious software it checks for (which are hyperlinked for more info),
>> make
>> a shortcut to C:\Windows\System32\mrt.exe (right-click on mrt.exe > Send
>> To
>> > Desktop (create shortcut). With the interface, you can also choose a
>> type of scan (Quick, Full, or Customized). You'll see the progress of
>> the scan, and a report afterwards. As the Tool states, it's not a
>> replacement for an Anti-Virus product, but merely checks, on demand, for
>> some of the malicious-software biggies. In response to your initial
>> question, downloading it isn't really necessary if Windows Update is
>> up-to-date.
>>
>> "Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:OCPk1YrxHHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>> Hi, Many thanks for the replies.I do already have all the other
>>> protections, but as experts do you also run the Malicious Software
>>> Removal
>>> Tool?
>>> "Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>> news:%23o6VBWexHHA.1188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>>> Should I download Malicious Software Removal Tool or is it not
>>>> necessary
>>>> with Vista Security Protection?
>>>
>>
>

Hi Dean, many thanks for the explanation. However I failed to find the file
to which you refer in Explore and what is even more interesting is that a
Search for C:\Windows\System32 will produce every mention in our exchanges
of Malicious Software Removal Tool, but not the file. To resolve this I
downloaded the file and saved it on the Desktop, which gives me the same
facilities. If you have any ideas why I cannot find the file by going on a
right click to Start/Explore I would be interested to hear.
"dean-dean" <dean-dean@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:ug8wvE7xHHA.4128@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Hi Zygy. There is no shortcut made to the program, by default. Using
> Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Windows\System32, and look for the file
> named mrt.exe. Then right-click on that file and choose Send To >Desktop
> (create shortcut). This will put a shortcut on your Desktop, which you
> can rename Malicious Software Removal Tool. From there you can move it to
> wherever you like. For example, if you want it in your start Menu,
> right-click the Start button and choose Open. Then open the Programs
> folder. Drag the icon into the folder you want. This will put the
> shortcut in your Start Menu.
>
> "Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:%23c8LBO6xHHA.2432@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> Many thanks for the very comprehensive reply. However I cannot find the
>> Malicious Software Removal Tool, to apply your suggestion on a shortcut,
>> although I downloaded and run it. I looked in Start, Search, but I cannot
>> see anything resembling it. Can you suggest where I should look?
>> "dean-dean" <dean-dean@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:O9hRXfvxHHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>> The Malicious Software Removal Tool is updated through Windows Update
>>> once a
>>> month. Windows Update runs the Tool "silently", without user input,
>>> unless
>>> it finds a problem. If you want to see an interface, and a list of the
>>> malicious software it checks for (which are hyperlinked for more info),
>>> make
>>> a shortcut to C:\Windows\System32\mrt.exe (right-click on mrt.exe > Send
>>> To
>>> > Desktop (create shortcut). With the interface, you can also choose a
>>> type of scan (Quick, Full, or Customized). You'll see the progress of
>>> the scan, and a report afterwards. As the Tool states, it's not a
>>> replacement for an Anti-Virus product, but merely checks, on demand, for
>>> some of the malicious-software biggies. In response to your initial
>>> question, downloading it isn't really necessary if Windows Update is
>>> up-to-date.
>>>
>>> "Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>> news:OCPk1YrxHHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>>> Hi, Many thanks for the replies.I do already have all the other
>>>> protections, but as experts do you also run the Malicious Software
>>>> Removal
>>>> Tool?
>>>> "Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:%23o6VBWexHHA.1188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>>>> Should I download Malicious Software Removal Tool or is it not
>>>>> necessary
>>>>> with Vista Security Protection?
>>>>
>>>
>>
>

Hi Zygy. Well, maybe the easiest way to get to that file with Explorer is
to double-click (Open) the Computer icon (on your Desktop, or in the Start
Menu, on the right side), then double-click (Open) your (C Drive, then
Open the Windows folder, then Open the System32 folder. In the System32
folder, sort the files by name, and then scroll down to the file mrt.exe.
Make a shortcut as I explained in my previous post. You can also get to
that folder by pressing the Windows key + the R key on your keyboard. This
will pop up Run. Run is also found under Start Menu > Programs >
Accessories. In the Open box of Run, type (or Copy and Paste):

C:\Windows\System32

Click on OK. This will open the System32 folder. Or you could type:

C:\Windows\System32\mrt.exe

Click on OK. This will open the Malicious Software Removal Tool.

"Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:OFpHnMEyHHA.3696@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Hi Dean, many thanks for the explanation. However I failed to find the
> file to which you refer in Explore and what is even more interesting is
> that a Search for C:\Windows\System32 will produce every mention in our
> exchanges of Malicious Software Removal Tool, but not the file. To resolve
> this I downloaded the file and saved it on the Desktop, which gives me the
> same facilities. If you have any ideas why I cannot find the file by going
> on a right click to Start/Explore I would be interested to hear.
> "dean-dean" <dean-dean@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:ug8wvE7xHHA.4128@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Hi Zygy. There is no shortcut made to the program, by default. Using
>> Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Windows\System32, and look for the file
>> named mrt.exe. Then right-click on that file and choose Send To >Desktop
>> (create shortcut). This will put a shortcut on your Desktop, which you
>> can rename Malicious Software Removal Tool. From there you can move it
>> to wherever you like. For example, if you want it in your start Menu,
>> right-click the Start button and choose Open. Then open the Programs
>> folder. Drag the icon into the folder you want. This will put the
>> shortcut in your Start Menu.
>>
>> "Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:%23c8LBO6xHHA.2432@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>> Many thanks for the very comprehensive reply. However I cannot find the
>>> Malicious Software Removal Tool, to apply your suggestion on a shortcut,
>>> although I downloaded and run it. I looked in Start, Search, but I
>>> cannot see anything resembling it. Can you suggest where I should look?
>>> "dean-dean" <dean-dean@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>> news:O9hRXfvxHHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>>> The Malicious Software Removal Tool is updated through Windows Update
>>>> once a
>>>> month. Windows Update runs the Tool "silently", without user input,
>>>> unless
>>>> it finds a problem. If you want to see an interface, and a list of
>>>> the
>>>> malicious software it checks for (which are hyperlinked for more info),
>>>> make
>>>> a shortcut to C:\Windows\System32\mrt.exe (right-click on mrt.exe >
>>>> Send To
>>>> > Desktop (create shortcut). With the interface, you can also choose a
>>>> type of scan (Quick, Full, or Customized). You'll see the progress of
>>>> the scan, and a report afterwards. As the Tool states, it's not a
>>>> replacement for an Anti-Virus product, but merely checks, on demand,
>>>> for some of the malicious-software biggies. In response to your
>>>> initial question, downloading it isn't really necessary if Windows
>>>> Update is up-to-date.
>>>>
>>>> "Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:OCPk1YrxHHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>>>> Hi, Many thanks for the replies.I do already have all the other
>>>>> protections, but as experts do you also run the Malicious Software
>>>>> Removal
>>>>> Tool?
>>>>> "Zygy" <zygy@microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:%23o6VBWexHHA.1188@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>>>>> Should I download Malicious Software Removal Tool or is it not
>>>>>> necessary
>>>>>> with Vista Security Protection?
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>