Mrt.exe is basically a Microsoft Removal Tool but not a operating system file. It’s not a virus or malware. Find the uses of MRT.EXE, and how to remove it safely. Microsoft Removal Tool is the official Malicious Software Removal Tool from Windows. It help the operating system to secure by scanning, identify and removing common known infections. It gets added to your system through the monthly updates from Windows on every Patch Tuesday which is every first Tuesday of the month. It is designed to run when it is downloaded and stays dormant for the rest of the month until the next update.
MRT Full Form = Microsoft Removal Tool
This is not a core Windows file and hence is not important for your system to run. However, since it’s more like an antivirus that scan infections on systems, therefore it’s advise to keep this application on your Windows operating system 10/8/7.
Quick Overivew
What is MRT.exe File Location?
The executable file of this program is called mrt.exe and can be located in C: Windows\system32 folder in your system.
This file can be considered as operational in your system as an extension to your anti-virus. Microsoft refers to this file as a supplementary anti-virus utility which serves the purpose of scanning infections on your system.
Is MRT.exe a Virus/Malware?
Because this software runs on your computer only once in every month, it is not specifically a threat to your system. However, if the file is not located in its allotted destination and is running on any other day apart from the first Tuesday of any month, it should be a cause of concern and your first action should be to remove it from your system.
Uses of MRT.exe
The Malicious Software Removal Tool is designed to protect your system against threats and malware. But as Microsoft warns, it should not be considered as an antivirus or an alternate to it. In fact, it might be one of the mildest software in its category that are available at this time. However, it serves some important roles while it is in your system.
- This software eradicates all the prevalent malware from your system.
- It detects the malware or infections that have affected your system already.
Please note that the mrt.exe is not a part of windows operating system, and kept in system in invisible mode. Follow below steps to make it visible:
- Organize >> Folder and search options
- View > Show hidden files, folders, and driver
Common MRT.exe Error Message
Following are common errors that you might see on your Windows system:
- mrt.exe file is missing
- mrt.exe not found
- mrt.exe failed to load
Why MRT.exe using 50% CPU?
As already discussed, Malicious Software Removal Tool is updated once every month. If you will look for the executable file for this software on your computer, you are likely to find more than one of them. It is because with every update, a new file can be added to your system.
Many users have complaint that the mrt.exe slow down the system and they have removed it.
If your system has been accumulated by a large number of MRT.exe files, it may put extra load on your CPU. It has been found that these files can use up to 50% of your CPU if you are not updating and removing the older versions.
How to Delete MRT.exe?
This is not a common file that you will need to delete because it is not likely to cause any problems to your system.
However, if you are getting errors related to that, the first thing you should check is the location of the file.
If the file is located anywhere except C: Windows\system32, it might be a virus or malware that has disguised as MRT.exe and already entered your system.
Another thing that you should check is how often the file is being updated. If you are having updates on any other day apart from the first Tuesday of any month, the first thing that should be done is to delete it.
You can delete this file from your system by following the given steps
- Press Win+R key to open the Run window
- Type %systemroot%\debug in the window and hit OK to open Windows Explorer window
- C:\Windows\debug directory will open.
- Find the file called log (PASSWD.LOG) and open it with Notepad
- If there is no infection found, the file is safe and you should keep it
- If there is an error, find the file and delete it manually by hitting right click and selecting Uninstall
- You can also post the error message on the official Windows support link and seek specific professional advice on how to fix it
Other Executable files:
RAVBg64.exe, AccessL.exe, atkexComSvc.exe – Asus, Aswidsagenta.exe, Drvinst.exe, Fwupdate.exe, ncs2prov.exe, Tpshocks.exe etc.
