MSERT scan

Swaranjal 0 Reputation points
2026-06-28T06:20:45.87+00:00

Ran MSERT scan, while running it showed 14 infected file but when it completed it showed not malware or viruses found. what this suppose to mean, i am curious?

Microsoft Security | Microsoft Defender | Other
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  1. Nathan Roberts (SN) 11,886 Reputation points Student Ambassador Volunteer Moderator
    2026-06-28T10:30:24.7766667+00:00

    Hey there, Swaranjal

    Ran MSERT scan, while running it showed 14 infected file but when it completed it showed not malware or viruses found.

    When MSERT is running, it sometimes shows a number of infected files or files that need additional analysis. These are not confirmed infections, they’re files that MSERT flags for deeper inspection while the scan continues. At the end of the scan, MSERT checks those flagged files again in full. If nothing malicious is found, the final result will correctly show “No malware or viruses found.”

    This behaviour is normal and doesn’t mean anything was missed. It’s just how Microsoft designed the tool. Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn’t document this behaviour anywhere but, quietman7 MVP Alumni has posted a detailed post about this behaviour in his forum here: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/407147/answers-to-common-security-questions-best-practices/?p=5756345

    Hope this information helps,
    Nathan

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