Dealing with a computer virus is frustrating, but it becomes a real nightmare when the virus prevents your system from even starting up. That’s where a Boot Virus Scan Tool comes to the rescue. Think of it as a digital first aid kit for your PC when it’s too sick to even boot into Windows. These tools, also known as bootable antivirus programs or rescue disks, are essential for removing deeply embedded malware that traditional antivirus software can’t touch when your operating system is running.
This guide, brought to you by the experts at vcdstool.com, your trusted resource for tech solutions, dives into the best free boot virus scan tools available. We’ve rigorously tested numerous options to bring you a curated list that will help you clean your infected computer and get it back on its feet. Just like a skilled mechanic uses specialized tools to diagnose and fix a car that won’t start, you’ll need the right boot virus scan tool to tackle stubborn malware infections.
These bootable scanners operate outside of your normal operating system. They typically run from a CD, DVD, or USB drive, allowing them to inspect your hard drive without the virus interfering. This is crucial because some malware can disable or evade regular antivirus software once Windows is loaded. Using a boot virus scan tool is like performing surgery on a patient in a sterile environment, ensuring the virus has nowhere to hide.
Below, we present our top picks for free boot virus scan tools, outlining their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the best one for your situation.
Our Top Picks for Free Bootable Antivirus Scanners
After extensive testing and evaluation, we’ve compiled this list of the most effective free bootable virus scanners. These tools are ranked based on their effectiveness, ease of use, features, and update frequency.
1. Microsoft Defender Offline
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Why We Recommend It:
Microsoft Defender Offline, the evolution of Windows Defender Offline, is a robust boot virus scan tool directly from Microsoft. It’s seamlessly integrated into newer Windows versions and available as a download for older systems. What sets it apart is its user-friendly graphical interface, a welcome change from text-based tools. It also supports direct virus definition updates from the bootable media, ensuring you have the latest threat intelligence. You can customize scans with exclusion settings and even manage quarantined files. Offering quick, full, and custom scan options, Microsoft Defender Offline provides flexibility for various infection scenarios.
Drawbacks:
The download is an EXE file, not directly an ISO image, requiring an extra step to create bootable media.
How to Use It:
For Windows 11 and 10, access it via Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options > Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan). Download the tool for other Windows versions from the provided link. The downloaded tool can burn the software to a disc or USB drive directly, simplifying the process.
Download Microsoft Defender Offline
2. Dr.Web LiveDisk
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Why We Recommend It:
Dr.Web LiveDisk is a feature-rich free boot virus scan tool compatible with both Windows and Linux. It stands out with its extensive customization options. You can define actions for infected, suspicious, and uncurable files, and specify how it handles adware, dialers, and other potentially unwanted programs. It also allows directory exclusions, file size limits for scanning, and time limits per file scan. Like Microsoft Defender Offline, Dr.Web LiveDisk can update virus definitions from within the tool, extending the usability of your bootable media.
Drawbacks:
The setup file is quite large (over 800 MB), which might take longer to download for users with slower internet connections.
How to Use It:
Download the ISO image and burn it to a USB drive or disc. Boot your infected computer from this media to launch Dr.Web LiveDisk and initiate a scan.
3. Norton Bootable Recovery Tool (NBRT)
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Why We Recommend It:
The Norton Bootable Recovery Tool (NBRT) from the renowned Norton Antivirus creators offers a user-friendly experience by booting into a full desktop environment. It’s designed for simplicity, automatically scanning for security risks and removing known threats. For potential risks, it provides options for user intervention. NBRT also includes a file retrieval function to copy data to another drive, a valuable feature if you need to back up important files from an infected system. The inclusion of a terminal window and Opera web browser adds extra utility.
Drawbacks:
NBRT lacks advanced customization options. It’s unclear what specific threats it targets, and its virus definitions may not be consistently updated.
How to Use It:
Download the ISO and follow Norton’s instructions to create a bootable DVD or USB drive. Boot from this media to launch NBRT and initiate the automatic scan.
4. Hiren’s BootCD PE
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Why We Recommend It:
Hiren’s BootCD PE is more than just a boot virus scan tool; it’s a comprehensive rescue environment. It bundles virus scanners from four reputable companies: ESET, McAfee, Kaspersky, and Malwarebytes. Beyond antivirus, it includes tools for hard drive recovery, backup, system information, and network scanning. Its full Windows-like desktop interface is incredibly user-friendly, making it easier to navigate than text-based alternatives. You can browse your hard drive, manually delete infected files, and back up data.
Drawbacks:
Hiren’s BootCD PE can be overwhelming with its vast array of tools, potentially more than needed for a simple virus scan. Updates are also infrequent.
How to Use It:
Download the ISO image and create a bootable USB drive. Boot from it to access the Hiren’s BootCD PE environment and choose from the included antivirus scanners or other utilities.
5. ESET SysRescue Live
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Why We Recommend It:
ESET SysRescue Live, from the makers of ESET security software, is another user-friendly boot virus scan tool with a complete desktop environment. It’s easy to use right out of the box with “Smart scan” and “Custom scan” options. For advanced users, it offers extensive customization, including object types to scan, heuristics, PUP detection, exclusions, and scan limits. A unique feature is its initial disk and memory error check, helping to diagnose potential hardware issues mistaken for virus infections.
Drawbacks:
The download size is relatively large.
How to Use It:
Download the ISO image and burn it to a CD, DVD, or USB drive. Boot from this media to access the ESET SysRescue Live environment and run a virus scan.
6. Comodo Rescue Disk
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Why We Recommend It:
Comodo Rescue Disk, from Comodo Antivirus, is a versatile boot virus scan tool available in both graphical and text-based interfaces. It offers multiple scan types, including a “Smart Scan” for quick checks of critical areas and a “Custom Scan” for specific files or folders. You can configure archive scanning, heuristics, and file skipping by size. Automatic updates ensure you have the latest virus definitions. Its relatively small download size is a bonus.
Drawbacks:
The file/folder-level scan option can be cumbersome to use, and the program itself hasn’t received updates recently.
How to Use It:
Download the ISO image and create a bootable USB or disc. Boot from it to launch Comodo Rescue Disk and select your preferred interface (GUI recommended) and scan type.
7. Anvi Rescue Disk
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Why We Recommend It:
Anvi Rescue Disk is known for its simplicity. It’s an incredibly easy-to-use boot virus scan tool with just three main scan buttons: Quick, Full, and Custom (folder-based). It includes a registry repair function to fix virus-induced registry issues. Its small download size is also appealing.
Drawbacks:
It lacks the ability to scan specific files, only folders or entire drives. Updates are discontinued, making it less effective against the newest threats.
How to Use It:
Download the ISO image, create bootable media, and boot from it to use Anvi Rescue Disk’s straightforward scanning options.
8. Zillya! LiveCD
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Why We Recommend It:
Zillya! LiveCD offers a full desktop interface and allows scanning of entire drives or folders. It includes a “Zillya! MBR Recovery” tool to repair boot problems caused by MBR-infecting viruses. It’s more user-friendly than many text-based bootable scanners.
Drawbacks:
It lacks advanced scan settings and cannot scan individual files. The software is also outdated.
How to Use It:
Download the ISO, create bootable media, and boot from it to use Zillya! LiveCD’s scanning and MBR recovery tools.
9. Adaware Live CD
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Why We Recommend It:
Adaware Live CD is a user-friendly boot virus scan tool with a full graphical interface and multiple scan types, including boot sector checks and folder/full system scans.
Drawbacks:
It only works with Windows 7 or newer, cannot scan individual files, and is no longer updated.
How to Use It:
Download the appropriate version (32-bit or 64-bit) and create bootable media. Boot from it to use Adaware Live CD’s scanning features.
10. AVG Rescue CD
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Why We Recommend It:
AVG Rescue CD, from AVG, a well-known antivirus provider, scans for a wider range of threats than many bootable scanners, including potentially unwanted programs, cookies, and hidden file extensions. It can scan attached hard drives and includes additional tools like a hard drive tester.
Drawbacks:
It uses a text-only interface, which can be challenging for some users. It also lacks virus definition updates.
How to Use It:
Download the ISO image and create a bootable disc. Boot from it to use AVG Rescue CD’s text-based scanning interface.
11. Trend Micro Rescue Disk
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Why We Recommend It:
Trend Micro Rescue Disk offers quick and full scan options despite its text-based interface. It’s relatively easy to use considering the lack of advanced options.
Drawbacks:
The text-based interface can be difficult for some users. It hasn’t been updated since 2020, making it less effective against recent threats.
How to Use It:
Download the program file, which includes the bootable software. Install it to a USB device or CD. Boot from this media to use Trend Micro Rescue Disk’s text-based scanner.
Download Trend Micro Rescue Disk
12. F-Secure Rescue CD
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Why We Recommend It:
F-Secure Rescue CD is a very simple boot virus scan tool with minimal options, making it straightforward to use. Its download size is smaller than some competitors.
Drawbacks:
It lacks a graphical interface, advanced scan options, and is no longer updated.
How to Use It:
Download the ISO image, create bootable media, and boot from it. Press Enter to start the scan in F-Secure Rescue CD’s text-based environment.
13. Panda Cloud Cleaner Rescue ISO
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Why We Recommend It:
Panda Cloud Cleaner Rescue ISO updates automatically and can scan specific files, folders, and drives. Its download size is very small (under 200 MB).
Drawbacks:
It’s not a true bootable AV program in the traditional sense. It requires booting into a minimal environment and then rebooting into Windows to run the scan, which may not work if the virus prevents Windows from starting at all. It’s also less user-friendly than other tools.
How to Use It:
Download the ISO image, create bootable media, and boot from it. Follow the prompts to prepare your system and reboot into Windows to run Panda Cloud Cleaner.
Download Panda Cloud Cleaner Rescue ISO
14. VBA32 Rescue
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Why We Recommend It:
VBA32 Rescue compensates for its lack of a graphical interface with detailed scan settings. It offers options to choose drives, file types, archive scanning, and default actions for threats. It also allows heuristic settings adjustments and virus definition updates from bootable media.
Drawbacks:
The text-only interface makes it less user-friendly compared to GUI-based tools.
How to Use It:
Download the ISO image, create bootable media, and boot from it to navigate VBA32 Rescue’s text-based menus and configure your scan.
Alternative Boot Scan Method: Rescue Disk Options in Antivirus Software
Beyond dedicated boot virus scan tools, many standard antivirus software suites include a “rescue disk” or similar feature. These tools allow you to create bootable media directly from your installed antivirus program. Examples include Avast Free Antivirus and AVG AntiVirus Free. If you already have one of these antivirus programs installed on another working computer, this can be a convenient alternative to downloading and setting up a separate boot virus scan tool.
Our 6 Favorite Free Antivirus Software of 2025
Do You Really Need a Boot Virus Scan Tool?
The importance of a boot virus scan tool cannot be overstated, especially when dealing with severe malware infections. Imagine your car refusing to start – you need specialized tools and knowledge to diagnose and fix the problem under the hood, bypassing the usual starting mechanisms. Similarly, when a virus cripples your operating system, preventing it from booting, a boot virus scan tool becomes your essential instrument.
These tools are critical because they operate outside the infected environment. They allow you to scan and clean your hard drive before the virus can activate or interfere with the cleaning process. In many cases, a boot virus scan tool is the only way to effectively remove deeply entrenched malware and restore your computer to a working state. Having a bootable antivirus disk or USB drive readily available is like keeping a spare tire in your car – you might not need it every day, but when you do, it can be a lifesaver.
Quarantine, Delete, or Clean: What Should You Do About a Virus?
This guide provides you with a comprehensive overview of the best free boot virus scan tools. Choose the one that best suits your technical skills and needs, and be prepared to rescue your PC from even the most stubborn virus infections.
