Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper: Review and download

Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper is a portable standalone antivirus tool that can help you boot up and rescue an infected computer from a CD or USB drive.

Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper’s executable file downloads all necessary files during installation, which means you need to be connected to the Internet when creating your bootable CD or USB drive. They all take about 250 MB and may a take a while to download.

Once launched, Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper scans the computer in search of viruses, rootkits and other malware. The scan can be paused and resumed, and the program also lets you download new virus signature files – as long as the infected system has an Internet connection.

Note that Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper is not a replacement for a full antivirus, as it doesn’t provide the same level of protection. It’s more like a first-aid tool for situations in which you can’t turn your PC on due to a virus or malware infection.