How to troubleshoot an error when you run the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

Change the scan destination file or drive

1. Start the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.

2. In Scan type, click Customized scan, and then click Choose Folder.

3. In Browse For Folder, click a different file or drive, click OK, and then click Next.

Retry the scan

1. To retry the scan, start the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, and then click Next.

2. In Scan Type, select a type of scan, and then click Next.

Restart the computer, and retry the scan

1. For information about how to restart Windows, see Windows Help and Support.

2. To retry the scan, start the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, and then click Next.

3. In Scan Type, select a type of scan, and then click Next.

Download the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool again

To download the Malicious Software Removal Tool manually from the Microsoft Download Center, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/download/details.aspx?FamilyID=ad724ae0-e72d-4f54-9ab3-75b8eb148356&DisplayLang=en

Update your computer, and retry the scan

1. To update your computer by using Microsoft Windows Update, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

   http://update.microsoft.com/

2. To retry the scan, start the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, and then click Next.

3. In Scan Type, select a type of scan, and then click Next.

Follow the instructions in the log or in the notification

If the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool notifies you of an error and gives you instructions, follow those instructions. If there are no instructions from the tool, you can look for instructions in the log file for the tool. To do this, follow these steps:

1. On the computer where you ran the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, click Start, click Run, type the following command, and then click OK:

   %systemroot%\debugNote %systemroot% is the path and the folder name where the Windows system files are located. Typically, this is C:\Windows, although you can designate a different drive or folder when you install Windows.

2. Open the log file that is named mrt.log.

3. Locate the most recent entry in the log file. This entry is typically the last entry in the log file. You may have to scroll down to the end of the log file to find this entry. This log file is available only in English.

4. Follow any instructions in the most recent entry in the log. If there are no instructions, note the error code number and see the "How to troubleshoot specific errors" section.

Run a full scan

1. Start the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool, and then click Next.

2. In Scan Type, click Full Scan, and then click Next.

Identify the file archive, and remove the file manually

During a scan, Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool detected malicious software contained in a file archive, such as a .zip file. You should determine whether the file is malicious software, and remove it from the archive manually.

1. To determine whether the file is malicious, visit the Microsoft Malware Protection Center:

   http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/

2. Search the Microsoft Malware Protection Center encyclopedia to see whether the file is listed as malicious software.

3. If the file is listed as malicious software, delete the file.