Microsoft Defender Antivirus And The Free Offline Scan?

Question

You claim that my installed Microsoft Defender Offline Scan removes all that it detects?,as promised.But sadly in every case in using this free scan feature of yours has ended up by all the detections that are not getting removed at all,after checking,and nothing's changed.In February 2026,my installed M.DA. doesn't mind or doesn't care after redownloading a dangerous program, and freely continue on from there.I always did a repeated custom, and quick, and full scan and the dangerous program was been left alone.I did send the dangerous download many times to Microsoft ,but still no word yet on their replies or response?.Somewhere along the line the installed M.D.A. is nowhere reaching the 100% vrus detection and removal mark,but a 100% left alone mark instead ,is what i am ended up with?.Other users of their installed M.D.A. through their websites claimed their installed M.D.A. has a 100% virus detection and removal rate/s?,while using this antivirus on it's own.Still not found the cause/s either way..I am looking at my options in where i am better off or not?,by using another free antivirus that can deliver as promised.

Answer 1

It seems you are experiencing issues with Microsoft Defender Antivirus (MDA) and its Offline Scan feature not effectively removing detected threats. While Microsoft Defender is designed to provide robust protection, there can be instances where certain malware or potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) are not removed completely. Here are a few points to consider:

1. Scan Types: Ensure that you are using the appropriate scan type. Microsoft Defender offers different scan options, including quick scans, full scans, and custom scans. Each has its own effectiveness depending on the nature of the threat.
2. Updates: Make sure that your Microsoft Defender Antivirus is updated regularly. Outdated definitions can lead to incomplete detection and removal of threats. You can manually check for updates or configure automatic updates.
3. Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE): If you are using the Offline Scan, ensure that WinRE is enabled on your device. If it's disabled, the scan may not run correctly. You can check the status of WinRE using the command reagentc /info and enable it with reagentc /enable if necessary.
4. False Positives: Sometimes, what appears to be a threat may not be malicious. If you believe a program is dangerous, but MDA does not remove it, you might want to submit it for further analysis to Microsoft.
5. Alternative Solutions: If you continue to experience issues and feel that Microsoft Defender is not meeting your needs, you may consider trying another antivirus solution. There are various free antivirus programs available that might offer the features you are looking for.

If you are still facing challenges, consider reaching out to Microsoft Support for more personalized assistance.

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References:

• Run and review the results of a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
• Troubleshoot Microsoft Defender Antivirus scan issues