If your security software can't detect and remove a virus, spyware, or other malicious software you may be thinking it's time to re-install your operating system.

Before you do, we recommend trying the Microsoft Safety Scanner.

The scanner is an offline tool with up-to-date malware detection signatures. It can help when you can't update your security software or when your computer has a malware infection that your software can't detect.

The scanner doesn't conflict with your current real-time antimalware protection.

You can use it for up to 10 days. After that, you will need to download it again with all the latest malware detection signatures.

The scanner isn't a replacement for a real-time, ongoing security solution like Microsoft Security Essentials, but it can come in handy when your existing security software needs a helping hand.

When malware strikes, the Microsoft Safety Scanner gives you another method of potential rescue.