Microsoft releases a free on-demand virus scanner for the Windows i.e. Microsoft Safety Scanner. It is not a conventional Anti-virus program because it doesn’t add any real-time protection to your PC but scans for Virus infection.

The major benefit of this tool is that you can scan your PC without uninstalling your current AV program, as there are often incompatibilities involved when running multiple virus scanners.

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is not a replacement for using an antivirus software program that provides ongoing protection. It expires 10 days after downloading. To re-run a scan with the latest antimalware definitions, you need download and run Microsoft Safety Scanner again because it doesn’t auto update anti-malware definitions.

For real-time protection that helps to guard your home or small business PCs, you can download and try the award-winning antivirus software Microsoft Security Essentials (If you are running a Genuine Windows operating system).