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Microsoft Safety Scanner

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Microsoft Safety Scanner
Original author(s)Microsoft
Initial release12 April 2011; 14 years ago (2011-04-12)
Operating systemWindows 11; Windows 10; Windows 8; Windows 8.1; Windows 7; Windows Server 2003; Windows Vista; Windows XP[1]
PlatformIA-32 and x86-64[1]
TypeVirus scanner
LicenseFreeware for development and test purposes[2]
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.[3]

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.[1] Before they were discontinued, Microsoft Safety Scanner originally used the same detection engine and malware definitions as Microsoft Security Essentials and Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection.[4] It now uses the same "security intelligence updates" as Microsoft Defender Antivirus.[5][a]

License restriction

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As of 24 July 2011, Microsoft Safety Scanner's end-user license agreement permits personal usage of one copy for the development and testing of user programs.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Microsoft Safety Scanner Download - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint". Microsoft Learn. Microsoft. April 4, 2025. Archived from the original on August 3, 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  2. ^ a b "Microsoft Software License Terms Microsoft Safety Scanner 1.0". Microsoft Safety Scanner website. Microsoft Corporation. Archived from the original on 22 April 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  3. ^ "Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner finally discontinued". LiveSide.Net. 15 April 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "Security intelligence updates for Microsoft Defender Antivirus and other Microsoft antimalware". Microsoft. Archived from the original on August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.

Notes

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  1. ^ The Microsoft Safety Scanner Download article links to the page with the latest Security intelligence updates and states Microsoft Safety Scanner will match that version.

Further reading

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  1. "Anti-virus to go: Microsoft makes portable anti-virus tool available to download". The H Security. Heise Media UK Ltd. 19 April 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  2. Peers, Nick (17 April 2011). "Microsoft Safety Scanner detects and removes threats without installation". PC & Tech Authority. Haymarket Media. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  3. Brinkmann, Martin (14 April 2011). "Microsoft Safety Scanner, Free On-Demand Virus Scanner". ghacks.net. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
  4. Kumar, Sandeep (4 December 2011). "A Portable Virus Scanner and Removal Tool from Microsoft". techvigil.com. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
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