Malicious software removal

[andsome]

Yet again I have received a message that updates are waiting, it was 'Windows malicious software removal tool'. As usual I downloaded it, and as usual could not find it to run it. I always have to visit the MS site and get it again, and on there I get the option to run it. Where on earth does it hide when I download it for the first time?

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

I am not quite clear what you mean by "hide" - the program is hiding, or the update is hiding?

The program is re-issued by Microsoft every month, and it will install itself as MRT.exe in \Windows\system32

I believe now (contrary to what I have stated earlier in this forum) that MRT executes quietly (in silent mode) when the new version is downloaded and installed. But it can also be run manually from Start -> Run, with any of the program switches given with mrt /?

[andsome]

I am not quite clear what you mean by "hide" - the program is hiding, or the update is hiding?

The program is re-issued by Microsoft every month, and it will install itself as MRT.exe in \Windows\system32

I believe now (contrary to what I have stated earlier in this forum) that MRT executes quietly (in silent mode) when the new version is downloaded and installed.  But it can also be run manually from Start -> Run, with any of the program switches given with mrt /?

Many thanks for the answer. I was under the impression that this tool did not automatically run in silent mode. You also seem to be uncertain. Microsoft do not make this at all clear. I have now found it under mrt as you said, and have run it from there. Thanks again.

[Thos]

Can I add my thanks also and to you andsome for bringing it up. I had always wondered what it was when I was notified that it was being updated and imagined it was running in the background. Now I know it has to be called up and run manually presumably as a fall back in case something slips through the AVG and other security measures.

You live and learn!

Thos.

[CurlyWhirly]

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...&displaylang=en

Overview

The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 computers for and helps remove infections by specific, prevalent malicious software—including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom. When the detection and removal process is complete, the tool displays a report describing the outcome, including which, if any, malicious software was detected and removed. The tool creates a log file named mrt.log in the %WINDIR%\debug folder

I have just found the log I did a few days ago:

No infection was found B)

p.s. just noticed from the start and finish times that the scan is really quick as it only took 13 seconds in my case!