Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) helps keep Windows computers free from prevalent malware. MSRT finds and removes threats and reverses the changes made by these threats. MSRT is generally released monthly as part of Windows Update or as a standalone tool available here for download.

Use this tool:

  • If you have automatic updates for Windows turned off. Windows Update automatically downloads and runs MSRT in the background.
  • If you suspect an infection from prevalent malware families (see covered threats).
  • To complement your antimalware product. This tool does not replace full-fledged antimalware such as Windows Defender Antivirus.

Features

Integration with automatic updates

  • Enable automatic updates to regularly get MSRT with Windows Update. The integrated version automatically runs in the background. If you would like to run MSRT on demand, run the standalone version.

Release schedule

  • Microsoft generally delivers MSRT with Windows Update the second Tuesday of the month. The standalone version available on this page is delivered at the same time.

Removal results and log file

  • After the standalone version of MSRT scans the computer and removes threats, it displays a report that lists the threats. It also generates the following log file:
  • %windir%\debug folder\mrt.log

Information for IT administrators and advanced users (KB890830)

For advanced information, read KB890830 at support.microsoft.com.

This KB entry contains information about MSRT and provides links to related topics. Visit this KB entry for more information about:

  • Supported comand-line switches
  • Release information, including the complete list of covered malware families
  • Data collected during errors and detections
  • Removing the tool

For detailed information about deploying MSRT, IT administrators can read KB891716.

MSRT blog

  • To learn more about the latest MSRT detections, read the posts about MSRT in the Microsoft Malware Protection Center blog.

Language support

  • MSRT supports multiple languages. If the operating system language is not supported, MSRT uses United States English (en-us).