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How to perform a VirusScan Command Line scan in Microsoft Windows
Technical Articles ID:   KB51141
Last Modified:  5/4/2018
Rated:

Environment

McAfee VirusScan Command Line Scanner (VSCL) 6.1.x
McAfee Anti-Virus Scanning Engine
McAfee DAT
McAfee Beta DAT

Summary

Usually, VirusScan Enterprise (VSE) and Endpoint Security (ENS) On-Demand Scans are performed through the VSE or ENS Console. But, sometimes you need to run a scan with strictly required programs. Some situations that might require this include scanning a computer:
  • Before installing VSE or ENS, to ensure it is clean
  • If it is infected and you are unable to load VSE or ENS
  • When VSE or ENS does not install successfully
Recent updates to this article:

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Date Update
May 4, 2018 Removed references to VSCL 6.0.x EOL
Added
  • Endpoint Security (ENS)
  • Added VSCL 6.1.x

Solution

Use the following steps to perform a VirusScan command-line scan in Microsoft Windows.

NOTES: 
  • Sometimes you might need to run the command-line scan in Safe Mode.
  • McAfee recommends that you delete all temporary files from your computer before running any scan. These files include ones in the temp folder, temporary Internet files, Internet history, and cookies.
 
  1. Download the latest VSCL from the Product Downloads site. The VSCL has the most up-to-date generic drivers. 

    McAfee product software, upgrades, maintenance releases, and documentation are available from the Product Downloads site at: http://www.mcafee.com/us/downloads/downloads.aspx.

    NOTE: You need a valid Grant Number for access. KB56057 provides additional information about the Product Downloads site, and alternate locations for some products.

    If you do not have a license for VirusScan CLS, contact Technical Support. See the Related Information section for contact information.

     
  2. Create a folder on the root of your primary partition. In this example: c:\scan\.
  3. On the infected computer, extract the contents of vscl-w32-6.0.x-l.zip (Where 'x' is the present version available) to c:\scan\.
  4. Download the latest beta DAT file.
    To download a DAT, Engine, XDAT, or Stinger file, go to https://www.mcafee.com/enterprise/en-us/downloads/security-updates.html.

    You might need to download these files if your automated update fails, or if you want to use an Extra.DAT on an infected system.
     
  5. Extract the contents of avvwin_netware_betadat.zip to c:\scan\ and overwrite the existing files.
  6. Click Start, Run, type cmd and press ENTER.
  7. Navigate to c:\scan, type the following command, and press ENTER: 

    scan.exe /adl /all /analyze /clean /program /unzip /winmem /rptall /report=c:\scan.log

    This command starts a complete system scan, which is a best practice.

Related Information

See also:
  • For a list of the VirusScan Command Line Scanner 6.0.x switches, see KB52229.
  • If you suspect or know that a virus or other threat has infected your computer, see KB61183.
  • For a troubleshooting procedure that explains how to find possible infected files (the issue is the virus is not detected), see KB53094.

Contacting Technical Support
To contact Technical Support, log on to the ServicePortal and go to the Create a Service Request page at https://support.mcafee.com/ServicePortal/faces/serviceRequests/createSR:
  • If you are a registered user, type your User Id and Password, and then click Log In.
  • If you are not a registered user, click Register and complete the required fields. Your password and logon instructions will be emailed to you.



Related Microsoft documentation

See the following Microsoft articles to start your computer in Safe Mode using the F8 key or the System Configuration Tool.

F8 Method 
 
  http://blogs.msdn.com/b/zxue/archive/2012/03/08/win8-howto-20-how-to-start-windows-8-in-safe-mode.aspx
Windows 7/Vista   http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Start-your-computer-in-safe-mode
Windows XP http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/boot_failsafe.mspx?mfr=true
Windows 2003 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc706993(WS.10).aspx


System Configuration Tool (msconfig.exe)
 

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