Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper is a new program that Microsoft released about a week ago. It is a program they offer to fight a malware attack where you cannot get your PC started enough to run your anti-virus/anti-spyware software.
The program is downloaded and installed on a CD which is bootable. You can then boot(start) your computer off the CD so your machine does not encounter teh malware. Included in Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper is antivirus software that then cleans the worse kinds.
You will still need to run a full scan of your computer using your ant-spyware/anti-virus software to fully clean. Because the anti-malware software is in the CD you will need to download a new copy if your copy is more than a month old or the software may not detect the malware. This software is not intended to replace your anti-virus and anti-spyware software, but is an emergency tool.
Microsoft Support is directing people to use this instead of them spending a lot of support time assisting the caller. The software only works on operating systems that are Windows XP with SP3 or newer. You will need to know whether the machine is running a 32 bit or 64 bit (the newest version) operating system.
At this time the program is in beta which means they are still testing for bugs or errors in the program,. It is free and at http://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper It is also not showing up in search engines yet or when searching the Microsoft site