How to update a Windows Defender Offline Scan USB Tool before using it

How to update a Windows Defender Offline Scan USB Tool before using it on an offline computer
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Good morning All,
Yesterday I created a Windows Defender Offline Scan USB Tool to scan an old XP Notebook that is offline and due to its out of date OS will remain offline. Files will be moved to and from my desktop via a USB Drive and I want to make sure the XP machine is totally clean before putting it into operation.

When I ran the tool and saw it needed updating, which I can't do offline, I came here for advice. Arc gave me Brinks detailed instructions on making and updating the USB Tool.

"Note: If you run the Windows Defender Offline Tool again on the same USB flash drive, and if the following conditions below are met, the tool will only download new updated malware definitions (approx. 69.48 MB) and update the USB drive without reformatting it. [... & 3 Conditions]"

This morning I verified the used space on the USB drive before and after I ran the file <mssstool32.exe> a 2nd time on the same USB Drive and found the used space increased +/- 1 MB. However, running it again on the XP machine I received the same "Virus and Spyware Definitions: Out of Date" message (attached).
[To be sure running the creation tool twice consecutively was not the issue I ran it again 2 more times with no additional changes to the used space.] And another try on the XP machine gave me the same "Needs Update" message.

Now I am wondering how the XP machine knows the Definitions are out of date. (?)
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I'm sending my appreciation to all who read this and to those who offer suggestions.

You don't need a USB now with Win10, it's built in: Windows Defender Offline Scan in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

Thanks Cliff S,
It's nice to know that is a feature of Windows 10 that may be useful sometime in the future.
However, my issues is scanning an old XP machine.
Best,

jdUnionngarden said:

Thanks Cliff S,
It's nice to know that is a feature of Windows 10 that may be useful sometime in the future.
However, my issues is scanning an old XP machine.
Best,

I read too fast sorry. Just a guess, scanning tool compares definition time and date to the PC's.

Microsoft Safety Scanner - Free Virus Scan with the Microsoft Safety Scanner

Thanks for the alternative Cliff S,
Sticking with the original for now, you actually had a good point on the date on the old computer: 2002. Ha!
Unfortunately correcting it to today's date didn't solve the problem.
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Perhaps someone else has thoughts/comments (?)
Best,

Hi Folks,
I switched to
Microsoft Safety Scanner
Microsoft Safety Scanner - Free Virus Scan with the Microsoft Safety Scanner


Thanks to Cliff S :)

jdUnionngarden said:

Hi Folks,
I switched to
Microsoft Safety Scanner
Microsoft Safety Scanner - Free Virus Scan with the Microsoft Safety Scanner


Thanks to Cliff S :)

You're welcome. May your system be clean, and your bits(not the one for horses) shiny