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This article may contain original research or unverified claims. Please improve the article by adding references. See the talk page for details. (August 2008) |
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 A screenshot of Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool |
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| Developed by | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Latest release | 2.2[1] / 09 September 2008 |
| OS | Windows |
| License | freeware |
| Website | [1] |
The Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is freely-distributed software developed by Microsoft for its Windows operating system.
Contents |
Features
The program is updated on the second Tuesday of every month via Windows Update, at which point it runs automatically in the background and reports if malicious software is found. To run it manually at other times, users can download the tool from Microsoft and start "mrt.exe" from the command interface, by going to the system32 folder, or by using the Run command in the Start Menu.
As released, the tool is configured to report anonymized data about infections to Microsoft if any are detected.[2] The reporting behavior is disclosed in the tool's EULA, and can be disabled if desired.[3]
History
The software was originally released by Microsoft in January 2005 as a basic virus removal tool.[4] The company claims that the software does not directly compete with established anti-virus programs such as Norton AntiVirus and McAfee Antivirus, but provides basic antivirus security to as many users as possible.
In a June 2006 Microsoft report,[5] the company claimed that the tool had removed 16 million instances of malicious software from 5.7 million of 270 million total unique Windows computers since its release in January 2005. The report also stated that, on average, the tool removes malicious software from 1 in every 313 computers that it runs on.
References
- ^ Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool download
- ^ http://support.microsoft.com/kb/890830. Retrieved on 2008-08-22.
- ^ http://support.microsoft.com/kb/891716. Retrieved on 2008-08-22.
- ^ John Savill (2005). "Windows IT Pro - "What's the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool?"". Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
- ^ "The Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool: Progress Made, Trends Observed". Microsoft (2006). Retrieved on 2006-07-05.
External links
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The references used in this section may be clearer with a different or consistent style of citation, footnoting, or external linking. |
- Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool on Microsoft.com
- Microsoft knowledge base article
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