Because MSRT is released monthly through WU, it apparently keeps the same KB number, but gets a new version number with each release. Notice that MSERT.exe shows up as itself, while MSRT shows up as KB890830, version 5.87. That said, Explorer sees big differences in size between the two, to wit: Nor do I see much distinction in third-party coverage. I’ll be darned if I can tell much difference between them. MSRT is generally released monthly as part of Windows Update or as a standalone tool available here for download. MSRT finds and removes threats and reverses the changes made by these threats.

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) helps keep Windows computers free from prevalent malware.

Here’s how MS describes the MSRT on its download page: They also observe that it’s only worth using for 10 days, after which one MUST download a new version. MS explains the tool thusly “a scan tool designed to find and remove malware from Windows computers.” It goes on to says “Simply download it and run a scan to find malware and try to reverse changes made by identified threats.” Like the MSRT, the MS Safety Scanner gets updates and new signatures all the time, so MS recommends that you always download a fresh copy any time you’d like to use it. Explanation Precedes Using Microsoft Safety Scanner (Here are live links to the 32-bit and 64-bit downloads mentioned in the lead-in graphic.) Here, I’ll explore what’s involved in using Microsoft Safety Scanner, aka MSERT.exe. It’s not, as the Safety Scanner Docs page attests. At first, I did a double-take to make sure it wasn’t a typo. Just yesterday, I learned about a similar but different tool named Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT.exe). With each Patch Tuesday, MS releases a new version of the Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT).

Windows 10 safety scanner