Windows 10: How to update a Windows Defender Offline Scan USB Tool before using it

How to update a Windows Defender Offline Scan USB Tool before using it on an offline computer
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Good morning All,
Yesterday I created a Windows Defender Offline Scan USB Tool to scan an old XP Notebook that is offline and due to its out of date OS will remain offline. Files will be moved to and from my desktop via a USB Drive and I want to make sure the XP machine is totally clean before putting it into operation.

When I ran the tool and saw it needed updating, which I can't do offline, I came here for advice. Arc gave me Brinks detailed instructions on making and updating the USB Tool.

"Note: If you run the Windows Defender Offline Tool again on the same USB flash drive, and if the following conditions below are met, the tool will only download new updated malware definitions (approx. 69.48 MB) and update the USB drive without reformatting it. [... & 3 Conditions]"

This morning I verified the used space on the USB drive before and after I ran the file <mssstool32.exe> a 2nd time on the same USB Drive and found the used space increased +/- 1 MB. However, running it again on the XP machine I received the same "Virus and Spyware Definitions: Out of Date" message (attached).
[To be sure running the creation tool twice consecutively was not the issue I ran it again 2 more times with no additional changes to the used space.] And another try on the XP machine gave me the same "Needs Update" message.

Now I am wondering how the XP machine knows the Definitions are out of date. (?)
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I'm sending my appreciation to all who read this and to those who offer suggestions.

:)

 

Problem with Updating Windows Defender Offline

Sometimes, you do have network , if Windows Defender detects and connect to network when you boot with Windows Defender but if not. You may do the following:

1) Download Windows Defender Offline creation tool in a running PC which is connected to internet.

2) Insert the USB which contains Windows Defender Offline (the out of date one)

3) When you run it and select to create on USB, it scan disk and will find Windows Defender Offline and download and install update on it.

 

How to Remove Trojan.JS.Phishing.I

Adding to Cyber_Defend_Team

Use the following free Microsoft software to detect and remove this threat:

• Windows Defender
  for Windows 10 and Windows 8.1,
• Microsoft Safety Scanner
  

You should also run a full scan. A full scan might find other hidden malware.

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" If any malware is found, you’ll be prompted to clean it up from within the Windows Defender Offline interface. If no malware is found, your computer will automatically boot back into Windows once the scan is complete."

Source:
How to Find and Remove Malware With Windows Defender Offline

With
Windows 10’s Anniversary Update, this tool is included with Windows, and even easier to launch. Here’s how to use it, no matter which version of Windows you’re on.

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Help protect my PC with Windows Defender Offline

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17466/windows-defender-offline-help-protect-my-pc

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I suggest you to use Windows Defender Offline in Safe mode and remove the virus and check if the issue is resolved.

Windows Defender Offline is a stand-alone tool that comes preloaded with the latest antimalware updates. It works outside of Windows, which means it can catch and clean infections that hide themselves when Windows is running.

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  Go to another PC that isn’t infected and download Windows Defender Offline.
  
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  Insert a blank USB flash drive or CD into the PC, and then run the Windows Defender Offline file that you just downloaded.
  
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  You will be prompted to install Windows Defender Offline to the blank USB flash drive or CD.
  
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  After you’ve installed Windows Defender Offline onto the USB flash drive or CD, insert it into your infected PC and
  restart in
  Safe Mode. You will be prompted to start the Windows Defender Offline tool.
  

`~`

 

You don't need a USB now with Win10, it's built in*Wink: Windows Defender Offline Scan in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

 

Thanks Cliff S,
It's nice to know that is a feature of Windows 10 that may be useful sometime in the future.
However, my issues is scanning an old XP machine.
Best,

 

I read too fast sorry. Just a guess, scanning tool compares definition time and date to the PC's.

 

Microsoft Safety Scanner - Free Virus Scan with the Microsoft Safety Scanner

 

Thanks for the alternative Cliff S,
Sticking with the original for now, you actually had a good point on the date on the old computer: 2002. Ha!
Unfortunately correcting it to today's date didn't solve the problem.
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Perhaps someone else has thoughts/comments (?)
Best,

 

Hi Folks,
I switched to
Microsoft Safety Scanner
Microsoft Safety Scanner - Free Virus Scan with the Microsoft Safety Scanner


Thanks to Cliff S *Smile

 

You're welcome. May your system be clean, and your bits(not the one for horses) shiny*chuckle

 

Did not know about that. Saved it to my Tutorials folder.
Thank you.