How to run Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

Sometimes, malicious software can hit your PC even if you are running the latest antivirus products and a proper firewall. In those situations, it is good to have proper tools to get rid of those little germs.

You might have heard that Microsoft has developed a tool called Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT or MRT), which is updated once a month using Windows Update or Automatic Updates. But what if you wanted to run the tool just now?

If you are following the instructions given by Microsoft, you should browse to Microsoft's web site, and run the tool from there. Okay, this is good and guarantees the latest version, but what if you want to eliminate the Internet connection from the infected PC and cannot surf the net? In those situations, it is helpful to know how to run the tool in a standalone mode.

Here's how: if you have updated your PC automatically (as you should have), then the Malicious Software Removal Tool is already on your PC. It lives in the Windows System32 directory under the name MRT.exe. Simply run this executable (or type "mrt" on the command line) and there you go. Easy once you know how!