How to troubleshoot an error when you run the Microsoft Safety Scanner

To determine why you received an error message, follow these steps:

1. Click Start.

2. Type or paste the following: %systemroot%\debug in the search box and press Enter.
    

   Note

   %systemroot% is the path and the folder name where the Windows system files are located. Typically, this is C:\Windows, although you can designate a different drive or folder when you install Windows.

3. Double click the file named msert.

4. Scroll until you find the error(s). They will usually start with 0x.

5. Match the error code(s) with the ones listed in the table below, then follow the instructions listed in the Use this procedure section. 

Error code	Cause	Do this
0x80508019	The scan destination file or drive does not exist.	Change the scan destination file or drive
0x80508007	The system has low memory.	Download the Microsoft Safety Scanner again
0x8050800C	The system state prohibits the scan from running in a specific user context.	Restart the computer, then retry the scan
0x8050A005	The signatures are not signed.	Download the Microsoft Safety Scanner again
0x8050A002	The signature database is corrupted.	Download the Microsoft Safety Scanner again
0x8050A004	The signatures are not valid or are corrupted.	Download the Microsoft Safety Scanner again
0x80508002	The signature database is corrupted.	Download the Microsoft Safety Scanner again
0x80508004	The signature database is corrupted.	Download the Microsoft Safety Scanner again
0x8050A001	The engine could not load because there are signatures missing.	Download the Microsoft Safety Scanner again
0x80508001	The engine could not load.	Download the Microsoft Safety Scanner again
0x80508025	To complete the action, the user must follow a procedure. For example, the user must change a system setting.	Follow the steps at the top of this article and look for specific instructions in the log.
0x80508024	To complete the operation, the user must run a full scan and then take the action again.	Run a full scan.
0x80508026	One of the resources is part of a container. For example, one of the resources is a file in an archive.	Identify the file archive, and remove the file manually
If your code isn't one of those...	Download the Microsoft Safety Scanner again

Change the scan destination file or drive

1. Start the Microsoft Safety Scanner, then select Next.
2. In Scan Type, click Customized scan, then click Choose Folder.
3. In Browse For Folder, click a different file or drive, click OK, and then click Next.

Restart the computer, then retry the scan

1. Restart your computer.
2. Start the Microsoft Safety Scanner, then click Next.
3. In Scan Type, select which type of scan you prefer, and then click Next.

Run a full scan

1. Start the Microsoft Safety Scanner, and then click Next.
2. In Scan Type, click Full Scan, and then click Next.

Identify the file archive, and remove the file manually

During a scan, Microsoft Safety Scanner detects possible malicious software contained in a file archive, such as a .zip file. You should determine whether the file is malicious software and remove it from the archive manually. To determine whether the file is malicious, follow the steps below:

1. Visit the Microsoft Malware Protection Center at: http:⁠//www.microsoft.com/security/portal/.

2. Click Learn about threats.

3. In the Search Encyclopedia box, type the name of the file and click the magnifying glass button.

4. If the file is listed as malicious:

   1. Start File Explorer
   2. Navigate to or use the search box at the top right to find the archive containing the malicious file.
   3. When you find the file, select it, then press Delete.

Learn more

How malware can infect your PC

Microsoft security help and learning