Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool runs multiple times daily - not once per month as expected

Anonymous
2016-01-02T22:29:43+00:00

Since, it seems, the 1151 Windows 10 Home 64b upgrade, my laptop has been running MRT on a more than daily basis, producing high disk usage. At least twice, I've run it manually, which allows me to see the details, and noticed MRT detecting 97 malicious files, but then, continuing to run, looping and scanning the same set of files repeatedly, until it finally quits with no malicious files detected.

Norton Internet Security, Norton Power Eraser, and Malware Bytes, all current, have detected no malicious files, but I am thinking it is obvious there are malicious files. Not sure what else to do at this point, any advice would be appreciated.

Moved from Windows

Original title: Microsoft Software Removal Tool running more than daily, with high disk usage

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

44 answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2016-03-13T16:55:50+00:00

    Paul Sey and Rick CP:

    New Development was noticed when I checked my mrt.log today. Since Thursday, March 10; MRT.exe has "failed to collect/send heartbeat"---whatever that means! Not giving you my entire log, just the first entry with this error:

    Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool v5.34, March 2016 (build 5.34.12400.0)

    Started On Thu Mar 10 18:36:12 2016

    Engine: 1.1.12400.0

    Signatures: 1.213.7173.0

    Failed to collect/send heartbeat. HR = 83760002

    Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool Finished On Thu Mar 10 18:36:29 2016

    Return code: 0 (0x0)

    This error has appeared multiple times per day since March 10 thru today March 13. Wonder what is happening to the OP of this thread. @Brian, has this happened to you?

    Susan MillerVA

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2016-03-12T00:17:17+00:00

    Sure, PaulSey. I'll look at C:\Windows\System 32 and find mrt.exe.

    Here's the properties:

    ![](http://fud.community.services.support.microsoft.com/Fud/FileDownloadHandler.ashx?fid=e107b52e-8d0d-40de-91fc-83b72c5f3658)

    Does that help?

    Susan

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2016-03-11T19:16:04+00:00

    Can you look under C:\Windows\System32 and find mrt.exe please?

    What is the version number?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2016-03-11T16:55:45+00:00

    Noted. Thanks to you for taking the time to respond. 'Anything is better than silence'... as also pointed out above by the OP. Appreciated!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2016-03-11T15:16:27+00:00

    Thanks, Rick.

    I am still monitoring as well.

    I do not have any additional information but I will ask again today.

    Paul...

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments