Microsoft Safety Scanner

Microsoft Safety Scanner
Original author(s)Microsoft
Initial release12 April 2011; 13 years ago (2011-04-12)
Operating systemWindows 10; Windows 8; Windows 8.1; Windows 7; Windows Server 2003; Windows Vista; Windows XP[1]
PlatformIA-32 and x86-64[2]
Size158 MiB (32-bit); 164 MiB (64-bit)[2]
Available in56[2] languages
TypeVirus scanner
LicenseFreeware for development and test purposes[3]
Websitelearn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/safety-scanner-download

Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free time-limited virus scan utility similar to the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. It is used to scan a system for computer viruses and other forms of malware. It was released on 15 April 2011, following the discontinuation of the Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner.[4]

It is used as a more rigorous second opinion in cases where daily-use programs are suspected to have missed an infection. It is not intended to be used as a replacement for these tools, as it does not provide real-time protection, cannot update its malware definitions, and expires after ten days.[5] It uses the same detection engine and malware definitions as Microsoft Security Essentials and Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection.[6][7]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference sysreq was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference main was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference EULA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner finally discontinued". LiveSide.Net. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  5. ^ Nick Peers, Nick (16 April 2011). "Microsoft Safety Scanner (64-bit version) 1.0.3001.0". PC Advisor. IDG. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  6. ^ "Presenting... the Microsoft Safety Scanner". Microsoft Malware Protection Center. Microsoft Corporation. 12 May 2011. Archived from the original on 22 August 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  7. ^ Introducing Microsoft Antimalware Technologies. Microsoft Corporation. 22 June 2010. p. 9. Retrieved 28 September 2011.