Microsoft has a good free virus scanner that works without access to Windows.
Next, you’ll need toboot from the discorboot from the flash driveon the infected PC.
More details are available in our reviews and on most of the websites linked below.
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Virus definition updates are supported directly from the disc.
Has a graphical UI instead of text.
Built-in to newer versions of Windows.
Downloads as an EXE file instead of directly as an ISO.
you might also view quarantined files and exclude files, folders, and extension types from scans.
Dr.Web LiveDisk
Custom options not found in some of these other bootable AV programs.
Lets you define the types of files it should scan.
Checks for virus definition updates from within the software.
Runs from a disc or flash drive.
The large setup file might take a while to download for some.
Dr.Web LiveDisk is a feature-filled free bootable virus scanner for Windows and Linux.
I used this AV program from a USB rig, but it also works from a disc.
The ISO file is over 800 MB.
This is a full desktop experience, so you use your mouse to navigate.
Norton has directions for putting this ISO file on a DVD or USB deviceif you need help.
This also means you could copy files off your machine if necessary (like for backup reasons).
This is an ISO file.
The download page lists all the programs included on it.
It comes from the companyESET, which also sells security software for home users and businesses.
The virus scanner itself is very easy to use and can be used quickly without any customizations.
However, you’re able to change advanced configs if you want.
© Anvisoft Corporation
It’s available in text-only mode or with a full graphical user interface (GUI).
The GUI version has a familiar program interface which is much easier to use.
There are three scan types.
A custom scan lets you choose individual files and folders to scan instead of an entire drive.
you might also scan archives, enable heuristics scanning, and skip files over a specified size.
There are only three main scan buttons, two sections to the program, and no custom tweaks.
There’s also a section for finding and correcting corruptregistryissues that may have been altered by a virus.
It’ll probably findsomeviruses just fine, but it won’t catch everything.
LiveCD can scan entire drives or whole folders only, so it won’t scan just single files.
However, unlike the first several items in this list, Zillya!
’s software is rather outdated and should not be your first choice.
It has a full user interface just like desktop-based programs.
© Trend Micro Incorporated
On the download page, pickamd64for a 64-bit machine, orx86for 32-bit.
SeeHow to Tell if You Have Windows 64-Bit or 32-Bitto know which download to select.
This is their rescue CD, a text-only free bootable antivirus program.
Unfortunately, because AVG Rescue CD doesn’t provide a graphical interface, navigating the menus can become difficult.
AVG no longer updates or maintains this program, so the virus definitions will forever be outdated.
you might still scan your system but it won’t catchbrand-newthreats.
It’s first downloaded as a regular program file that includes the bootable software.
It works in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
Just choose to install it on a USB rig or CD.
It works without any graphical user interface, so it might be a bit confusing.
There are hardly any options or user input except pressing theEnterkey to confirm the start of a scan.
Next, your gear will reboot into Windows but launch the cleaner before any other applications start.
All other processes are shut down so that this program is less likely to be terminated by a virus.
Do You Need a Bootable Antivirus Program?
Why are these tools so important?
