Sophos Scan & Clean

Overview

Sophos Scan & Clean was a free malware removal tool developed by Sophos. It was designed to detect and remove advanced malware, including rootkits, ransomware, and trojans, from infected Windows systems. Unlike traditional antivirus programs, Sophos Scan & Clean specialized in detecting active infections and removing them, even when the malware tried to evade detection or prevent antivirus software from running.

The tool was useful for users who suspect their systems are infected but cannot use regular antivirus programs due to malware interference.

Features

Detects and removes advanced malware such as rootkits, ransomware, and trojans.
Can clean malware that traditional antivirus solutions may miss.
Operates without installation, making it portable and suitable for running in Safe Mode.
Scans for hidden malware in system files, processes, and registry keys.
Provides an easy-to-read report on the infection, detailing removed threats.

Compatibility

Sophos Scan & Clean was compatible with:

Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 10

Since the tool has been discontinued, it is no longer supported for newer Windows versions.

Usage

Download Sophos Scan & Clean from the official website.
Run the executable as an administrator (no installation required).
Perform a full system scan to detect and remove malware.
Review the generated report for details on detected and removed threats.
Restart the system if prompted to complete the cleaning process.

Pros & Cons

Pros

✔ Effective at removing advanced and persistent malware infections.
✔ Portable and does not require installation.
✔ Free to use with no subscription required.

Cons

✘ Discontinued and no longer updated.
✘ Does not provide real-time protection.
✘ Limited to malware removal and does not offer ongoing security.

Alternative Software

Malwarebytes – A popular tool for detecting and removing malware with real-time protection.
HitmanPro – A cloud-based malware removal tool.
ESET Online Scanner – A free, cloud-based scanner for detecting and removing malware.

Developer

Company: Sophos
Status: Discontinued (No longer maintained)