Additional info:

Microsoft has introduced several "new concepts" for Windows Security scanning and correction of problems. Most of these are "beta" items, but there have been no significant "program fixes," since the first ones came out, so I suspect that the reason for calling them "betas" is to offer them free while collecting info on how they work, and leaving it open to charging for them when the change the names to "the real forever final honest to goodness for sale" services.

An older (but still current) scanner for malware, was called the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Tool (WMST) Information at Microsofts' Automatic Update Sites indicate that if you are getting Auto Updates it will be updated automatically. The info is not clear on whether it is automatically installed for all participants in Auto Updates. It was originally issued as a beta program, and I installed it separately at the first beta version, so the automatic updates I've been getting may not be the usual thing. If you install it, and are getting Automatic Updates, it should be kept up to date automatically.

You can download it using links at Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Tool.

It scans for, and removes, problems that are common for WinXP and Win2K users. It can remove some things that AntiVirus and AntiSpyware tools typically do not.

More to follow.

John