What it does
Microsoft Safety Scanner is a manually triggered portable Windows malware scanner that expires ten days after download.
Safety Scanner is useful for a deliberate malware check rather than continuous monitoring. Microsoft's documentation says it runs only when triggered and expires ten days after download. Obtain a current copy for a new investigation so the definitions are not tied to an old executable. Keep track of where the portable file is saved because it does not install a normal Start-menu entry. Microsoft explicitly says it does not replace an automatically updated real-time antimalware product.
Strengths
- Portable executable for deliberate malware scans
Watch out for
- Expires ten days after download
- Does not provide continuing real-time protection
Best for
- Windows administrators carrying out a one-off malware check