However, the tool itself is outdated (although the virus definitions are up-to-date) and won’t work with newer versions of Windows.įor this reason, this tool should only be used on older PCs running an older version of Windows 10 (or an earlier version of Windows). While this portable version of Defender was originally made for Windows 7 and 8.1, it can still be used to scan for malware on some Windows 10 PCs, depending on the version. While Windows 10 allows you to conduct an offline virus scan using Microsoft Defender without any additional tools or hardware, you can also use the older Windows Defender Offline tool on a portable USB drive or DVD to conduct a boot-level scan when Windows can’t (or shouldn’t) boot. Using the Older Windows Defender Offline Tool to Scan for Malware (Older Versions of Windows) At this point, the malware infection should be resolved, but you may need to follow additional steps to repair or restore your Windows installation (depending on the damage). Any malware will be removed or quarantined based on your actions above. Once the offline virus scan is complete, your PC will reboot back into Windows.

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