Many of the best antivirus providers offer a free bootable recovery disk that can be used to clean your computer after it has been infected. These are Linux-based tools that can be used to clean a computer that has been infected with malware if it won’t boot up or cannot be scanned by the standard antivirus program running on Windows. For convenience, I recommend the Kaspersky disk (though it’s not compatible with certain Dell systems).

If you prefer, you can pick up the same features from the Avira and ESET rescue disks that include a user interface with graphics however, they require an external her response CD or USB device to boot. Both of these options will scan and decipher any malware that is present on your computer. However their virus definitions might not be updated as frequently as Rescue Disks that are Linux-based.

The Trend Micro rescue disk is another option and is among the smallest on this list with around 70MB. It doesn’t have an interface with graphical graphics, however it’s fast and comes with various options for customization. This includes the ability to mount specific files, drive volumes, and even individual folders.

The Comodo Rescue Disk is a viable option for a virus scan but it isn’t as flexible. the same flexibility as the alternatives that run on Linux. It is nevertheless an effective tool for detecting and eliminating the kinds of viruses that hide in Windows files to thwart detection by antivirus programs that are normally used. It is possible to choose a text-only interface or a full-graphic interface. You can also run a smart scan or a custom scan.