Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Offline Virus Scanner

Herbalist Dr MziziMkavu

JF-Expert Member
Feb 3, 2009
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Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper, a tool which was only available as part of Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (MSDaRT) is now available for separate download. Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta (MSSS), a recovery tool that can help you start an infected PC and perform an offline scan to help identify and remove rootkits and other advanced malware. MSSS uses the same definitions as Microsoft Security Essentials.
You can download MSSS from Microsoft Connect and create a bootable media using CD/DVD or your USB drive. The bootable media starts the Windows Preinstallation Environment and launches the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper application for scanning and removal of virus and malware. MSSS runs in Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista and Windows 7.
MSSS is currently in Beta, so all the usual caveats apply.
Creating MSSS Bootable Media

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Running Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper

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How to Update Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Definitions

To ensure effective scanning/removal or viruses and malware, make sure you update the definitions. This can be done by clicking Check for Updates option from the Help menu.
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There are two ways to update the definitions via MSSS user interface.
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Option 1: You can either download the file mpam-fe.exe (or mpam-fex64.exe for x64 systems) definitions update package from the Microsoft Security Portal, from PC to a USB flash drive. Then connect the USB flash drive to the subject computer, click the Browse… button in MSSS window and locate the definitions update package. This option is ideal for computers without internet connectivity.
Option 2: Another option is to click the Download button so that it downloads and applies the definitions update package automatically. The definition updates are exacted automatically and stored in the Windows\Standalone System Sweeper folder.
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Option 3: If you use a USB flash drive to run MSSS, you can update the definitions in the drive by running the MSSS bootable media creation tool (refer to the 1st screenshots above.) Re-running the tool with that USB flash drive will cause MSSS to update only the definitions in the drive, provided that the USB drive already has the latest version of MSSS tool.
System Requirements for Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper

1. The computer infected with a virus or malware must have the same Windows operating system architecture as Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta, either 32-bit or 64-bit.
2. BitLocker must be disabled to use Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta.
3. Operating System: Windows XP Service Pack 3; Windows Vista or Windows 7.
Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta – Download | Help & How-To | System Requirements
 
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