McAfee Stinger for Windows

Focused threat cleaner

Stinger is a compact scanning utility from McAfee intended to remove specific malware strains rather than serve as a full-featured antivirus suite. It targets a curated list of threats (more than 3,000 signatures), which you can view from within the application. Keep the signature set current to ensure the tool recognizes the latest variants.

How to run a scan

• Choose the folders or drives you want inspected, then start the scan using the prominent Scan Now control.
• The engine runs quickly and presents a concise summary of findings in the program window.

What the program does with detections

• By default, items identified as malware are automatically repaired or removed.
• Scan logs and results can be saved or exported from the File menu for later review.

Configuration and intended users

• Configuration options are intentionally sparse but are geared toward advanced users: you can set the action on detection, enable or disable display of the scanned-file list, and tweak a handful of detection-related settings.
• This is not a consumer-friendly, point-and-click antivirus; it’s best suited for experienced technicians who need a focused removal tool.

Key points at a glance

• Limited, advanced configuration for power users
• Automatic cleanup of discovered malware by default
• Visible, exportable scan results for record-keeping
• Fast scanning performance with a compact interface
• Targets a specific signature list of over 3,000 threats

Release notes

Recent updates include enhanced detection rules that have been adjusted for this build to cover new variants, improve performance, and fix incorrect identifications.

Alternative option

If you prefer a portable or differently branded utility, consider Trellix Stinger Portable (free) as an alternative.