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Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta is not a replacement for a full antivirus solution providing ongoing protection; it is meant to be used in situations where you cannot start your PC due to a virus or other malware infection. For no-cost, real-time protection that helps guard your home or small business PCs against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software, download Microsoft Security Essentials*.

To get started, please make sure that you have a blank CD, DVD, or USB drive with at least 250 MB of space. Next, download and run the tool – the tool will help you to create the bootable media required to run the software on your PC.

* Your PC must run genuine Windows to install Microsoft Security Essentials.

Help & How-To:

I can’t create a bootable CD or DVD

This topic contains solutions for issues you may encounter while trying to create a bootable CD or DVD with the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta.

Symptoms
An error message is displayed after attempting to create a CD or DVD with the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta.

I can’t create a bootable USB

This topic contains solutions for issues you may encounter while trying to create Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta on a bootable USB.

Symptoms
An error message is displayed after trying to create a USB drive with Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta.

The files cannot be downloaded by Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta

This topic contains solutions for issues you may encounter while Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta is running and trying to download files.

Symptoms
You receive an error that the download failed.

The CD or DVD is not detected by Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta

This topic contains solutions for issues you may encounter while trying to create a bootable CD or DVD with the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta.

Symptoms
Before starting the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper creation process, you insert a blank CD or DVD into the drive. After inserting the disk in the drive, Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta prompts you that no CD or DVD is detected in the drive.

The CD or DVD is not detected by Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta

This topic contains solutions for issues you may encounter while trying to create a bootable CD or DVD with the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta.

Symptoms
Before starting the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper creation process, you insert a blank CD or DVD into the drive. After inserting the disk in the drive, Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta prompts you that no CD or DVD is detected in the drive.

How do I restart my computer after using the bootable media?

The bootable media (CD, DVD or USB) starts the computer in the Windows Preinstall Environment (homepage and launches the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper application for scanning and remediation of virus and malware.

To restart the computer in the live operating system, follow these steps:

1. Close the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper application by clicking the X button in the top right corner.

2. Click Yes to confirm.
The computer will automatically restart in the live operating system.