Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free time-limited virus scan utility similar to the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool.

It was released on 15 April 2011, following the discontinuation of the Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner.

[4] It is used as a more rigorous second opinion in cases where daily-use programs are suspected to have missed an infection.

It is not intended to be used as a replacement for these tools, as it does not provide real-time protection, cannot update its malware definitions, and expires after ten days.

[6][7] As of 24 July 2011[update], Microsoft Safety Scanner's end-user license agreement permits personal usage of one copy for the development and testing of user programs.