Microsoft To Release Virus Removal Tool Today

11 Jan, 2005 at 1:10pm ET Article published in Tech

Starting today, Microsoft will provide Windows customers with Malicious Software Removal Tools. The tool will be available from the Microsoft Download Center and through Auto-update/Windows Update.

Microsoft’s new tool named “Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool” is an extension of the previous tools that Microsoft have released. Over the past year or two Microsoft have released removal tools for viruses such as Blaster. Like McAfees Stinger tool Microsoft’s tool will scan a system for viruses and will remove them in one foul swoop. The company plans to update the tool monthly on the same day (second Tuesday) as Microsoft delivers security updates.

The first version to be released today will be able to remove Blaster, Sasser, MyDoom, DoomJuice, Zindos, Berweb (also known as Download.Ject), Gailbot and Nachi viruses / worms.

Source: Neowin

Comments

11 Jan 2005 ~ 4:59pm Private_Snoball Finally Microsoft has gotten out there and made a strong attempt to destroy the worms that are targeted mainly at it's systems. I am glad to see them come forward and produce a tool that is not only effective but free. Once more Microsoft has proven it is worth it's cost...or lack there of for some of us
12 Jan 2005 ~ 1:51am mmonnin http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=321CD7A2-6A57-4C57-A8BD-DBF62EDA9671&displaylang=en
12 Jan 2005 ~ 3:26am Shorty Comes via automatic updates if you use Win XP SP2
14 Jan 2005 ~ 4:18pm danball1976 The thing is, I installed it, and now I don't know where it is located within windows.
15 Jan 2005 ~ 2:44am BLuKnight Danball, the same thing happened to me at work as well. Ya'd think MS was taunting its customers.

Anyone know where to find it?
16 Jan 2005 ~ 10:01am Spinner

BLuKnight wrote:

Danball, the same thing happened to me at work as well. Ya'd think MS was taunting its customers.

Anyone know where to find it?

What happens is, when the tool is downloaded via Windows Update or Automatic Update it runs then deletes itself. I imagine if it finds something malicious it will let you know about it however.

I believe Microsoft will release a new version of this tool every second Tuesday of each month. Each release will be once again downloaded via Automatic Update or Windows Update then promptly run in the background then automatically deleted again as I described above.

If you wish to run the tool manually and more than once, you must download it direct from Microsoft's download center or use the online version of the scanner.

Cheers