Microsoft Safety Scanner

Last updated
Microsoft Safety Scanner
Original author(s) Microsoft
Initial release12 April 2011;14 years ago (2011-04-12)
Operating system Windows 11; Windows 10; Windows 8; Windows 8.1; Windows 7; Windows Server 2003; Windows Vista; Windows XP [1]
Platform IA-32 and x86-64 [1]
Type Virus scanner
License Freeware for development and test purposes [2]
Website learn.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]

Contents

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

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

  1. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 "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

  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

  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.