it looks like Patch Tuesday is no longer containing the malicious software removal tool
"
No longer containing"? I was surprised to read this so I checked my update history and sure enough, the last download and install was with v5.132 on 2/12/2025, KB890830.
Then, following your link, I see the latest version available is that same, v5.132, KB890830. So I did some further digging.
There have been few times in the past where up updates have been skipped simply because the current malware "landscape" (as
quietman7 put it) does not require a new version. I think that makes sense. MSRT is an "
after the fact" security solution - that is, it does not prevent infection but rather cleans a system that has already been infected.
When Microsoft feels confident fully updated Windows and Defender (and perhaps the security software industry in general) has done an "adequate" (?) job of preventing infection, they skip including a new MSRT in Patch Tuesday updates.
So apparently since last February, MS has felt that no new MSRT has been required.
With that said, I think it safe to say Microsoft still includes the MSRT in Patch Tuesday updates, but only when the current malware "landscape" indicates a new version is needed. I feel certain when they deem a new version is necessary, it will be included in the next Patch Tuesday, and made available through that link.
The question will be, what happens when support for W10 ends???
