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Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) is a free Windows utility for finding and removing prevalent malware threats and reversing changes they made.

Place
#7 of 25
Score
6.2
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool's website

What Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool is

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) is a free Windows utility for finding and removing prevalent malware threats and reversing changes they made. It is generally delivered monthly through Windows Update or as a standalone download. When automatic updates are enabled, Windows Update downloads and runs MSRT in the background; the standalone version can be launched on demand. After a standalone scan, it displays a report of threats found and removed and writes a log to %windir%\debug folder\mrt.log. The tool requires local administrator privileges. Its coverage is limited to prevalent malware families, so it is not a replacement for full-fledged antimalware such as Windows Defender Antivirus. Supported systems listed include Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and specified Windows Server releases. MSRT supports multiple languages and falls back to United States English when the operating system language is unsupported. The listed download is version 5.145, published September 11, 2026, with a file size of 84.0 MB.

Good

  • Free Windows utility for prevalent malware threats.
  • Can run through Windows Update or as a standalone tool.
  • Standalone scans provide a report and log.
  • Supports multiple languages.

Watch out

  • Targets prevalent malware families only.
  • Requires local administrator privileges.
  • Windows only.

Who it suits

MSRT suits Windows users who need a targeted malware cleanup tool, including people who want to run a standalone scan. It is not a substitute for full-fledged antimalware protection.

Verdict

MSRT provides targeted malware removal and can run automatically through Windows Update or on demand. Its limited threat coverage means users should not treat it as a replacement for full-fledged antimalware.

Plans and prices

From Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool's own pricing page, checked 12 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
Windows Malicious Software Removal ToolFreeWindows only · targets prevalent malware families · requires local administrator privileges

The facts

Each one read from Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Administrator requirement
The tool must be run with local administrator privileges.checked 12 Oct 2026
Background operation
With Windows automatic updates enabled, Windows Update downloads and runs MSRT in the background.checked 12 Oct 2026
Current download
The page lists version 5.145, published September 11, 2026, with a file size of 84.0 MB.checked 12 Oct 2026
Delivery
It is generally released monthly through Windows Update or as a standalone download.checked 12 Oct 2026
IT administration
Microsoft provides information for IT administrators about command-line switches, deployment, covered malware families, and removing the tool.checked 12 Oct 2026
Language support
MSRT supports multiple languages and uses United States English when the operating system language is unsupported.checked 12 Oct 2026
Log file
The standalone tool generates a log at %windir%\debug folder\mrt.log.checked 12 Oct 2026
On-demand use
The standalone version can be run on demand after downloading it.checked 12 Oct 2026
Purpose
MSRT finds and removes prevalent malware threats and reverses changes they made.checked 12 Oct 2026
Release timing
Microsoft generally delivers MSRT on the second Tuesday of each month.checked 12 Oct 2026
Scan report
After a standalone scan, MSRT displays a report listing the threats it found and removed.checked 12 Oct 2026
Supported systems
The download page lists Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and specified Windows Server releases as supported operating systems.checked 12 Oct 2026
Threat coverage limit
MSRT targets prevalent malware families only and is not a replacement for full-fledged antimalware such as Windows Defender Antivirus.checked 12 Oct 2026

The company

Founded
1975checked 4 Oct 2026
Headquarters
Redmond, Washington, USAchecked 4 Oct 2026

Money

Free plan
Yeschecked 23 Sep 2026

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