Scan for malware with Chrome? Yes, Google’s browser contains a scanner that can find and remove malware and there is a downloadable stand-alone tool too. Learn how to clean up your PC.
It may come as a surprise that Chrome contains a malware scanner and along with the downloadable scanner, does this mean that Google is getting into the security businesses? Well, yes and no.
For a long time Microsoft has been cleaning up PCs by scanning the computer and removing malware without you knowing. It does it by downloading and running the Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) during Windows Update every month.
It is not a substitute for security software, but it helps to keep Windows PCs running smoothly. I have heard it said that Microsoft removes more malware from PCs than any security company because of this one tool.
Perhaps Google was inspired by MSRT because now there is malware scanner within Chrome and it is available to download and run outside of Chrome too. As with Microsoft’s malware scanner, Google’s is not a replacement for proper security software. However, it can help with keeping the PC clear of harmful software.
It is not a general-purpose malware scanner and it scans the files on the disk drive looking for only those things that might cause problems with Chrome. Malware, adware, spyware and badly written extensions could all cause Chrome to crash or be a security risk, so the scanner searches for these items and removes them.
There have been some sensational clickbait headlines about Chrome scanning all the files on the computer, which makes you think it is spying on you, but really it is only doing what any malware scanner does in security software.
It is not malicious, it is helpful and it aims to keep your computer free of harmful software. Let’s see how it works.
Chrome Cleanup Tool
1 Download the Cleanup Tool
Open Chrome and get the Chrome Cleanup Tool. Click the Download now button to download the Cleanup Tool, followed by Accept and download.
2 Run the Cleanup Tool
The program is saved to the Downloads folder, so open an Explorer window and double click it to run it.
There are no options or settings and it just runs. Afterwards it displays a message saying whether anything was found or removed. (Notice that Google can’t decide whether it is Cleanup or Clean-Up, not that it is important.)
3 Reset Chrome?
After the scan it offers to reset Chrome and if malware was found or you want a clean start, click RESET. However, if no problems are found, click the CANCEL button or it will remove some of the customisations you have applied, like extensions. Only reset if you have to.
Chrome’s built in scanner
1 Chrome advanced settings
Open Chrome, go to the menu and click Settings. Scroll down to the bottom and then click Advanced. Scroll down to the bottom again and now there are two useful options. Reset restores Chrome Defaults and should only be used as a last resort.
Click Clean up computer whenever you want to manually run a scan for malware that might impact Chrome’s functioning, security or privacy.
2 Scan for malware
On the next page is an option to Find and remove harmful software. Toggle the switch below if you don’t want to send any information to Google and then click FIND on the right.
Scanning takes several minutes, so don’t do it if you are in a rush. Afterwards it displays a message stating what it found.
There was no harmful software on my computer, so I cannot show what it looks like if harmful software is found. Try it on your computer and see if it turns up anything.
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