AVG Rescue CD Alternatives: Best Antivirus Rescue Disks for 2026

When malware stops Windows from starting or hides from your normal antivirus, a bootable antivirus rescue disk can scan the PC before Windows loads. In 2010 we recommended the free AVG Rescue CD, a Linux-based disc you could burn to a CD or USB drive. AVG’s rescue disk no longer works with Windows 10 and 11, and several others have been retired too. Here are the rescue options that still work in 2026.

Quick answer: The easiest option is Microsoft Defender Offline, built into Windows: open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options and run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan. If Windows won’t start at all, create a bootable USB on another PC with Kaspersky Rescue Disk or the Avast Rescue Disk tool in free Avast Antivirus. AVG, Bitdefender and Norton rescue discs are discontinued.

Best antivirus rescue disks in 2026

1. Microsoft Defender Offline (built into Windows)

Restarts your PC into a special environment that scans for rootkits and stubborn malware before Windows loads. No download or USB needed.

1. Open Windows Security from the Start menu.
2. Go to Virus & threat protection > Scan options.
3. Select Microsoft Defender Offline scan and click Scan now.
4. Save your work; the PC restarts and the scan takes about 15 minutes.

2. Kaspersky Rescue Disk

A free bootable image that updates its malware definitions before scanning and works even when Windows won’t boot. Note that Kaspersky products are banned from sale in the US, so availability depends on your country.

3. Avast Rescue Disk

Create it from inside the free Avast Antivirus (Menu > Settings or Protection > Virus Scans > Rescue Disk). AVG and Avast now belong to the same company, so this is the closest successor to the old AVG Rescue CD.

How to use a bootable rescue USB

1. On a clean computer, download the rescue image or create the disk from the antivirus app.
2. Write it to a USB drive (Rufus works well for ISO files).
3. Plug the USB into the infected PC and open the boot menu (often F12, F11, Esc or F8 at startup).
4. Boot from the USB, update definitions if offered, and run a full scan.
5. Remove the USB and restart normally.

Some PCs need Secure Boot temporarily disabled to boot older Linux-based rescue disks; turn it back on afterwards.

Discontinued rescue disks

• AVG Rescue CD: no longer works on Windows 10 and 11.
• Bitdefender Rescue CD: retired in 2019.
• Norton Bootable Recovery Tool and Trend Micro Rescue Disk: no longer work on current Windows.
• ESET SysRescue Live: ended by ESET.

After cleaning an infected PC

• Update Windows and all apps.
• Change important passwords from a clean device and turn on 2-step verification.
• Back up files regularly so ransomware can’t hold you hostage.
• Run a second opinion scanner if problems continue.

Need a rescue USB anyway? See how to format a USB flash drive first, and keep handy tools from our list of small free software, including Rufus.

FAQ

Is AVG Rescue CD still available?

No, it doesn’t work with current Windows versions. Use Microsoft Defender Offline or the Avast Rescue Disk instead.

Does Windows have a built-in rescue scan?

Yes. Microsoft Defender Offline scans before Windows starts, from Windows Security.

Can a rescue disk remove ransomware?

It can remove the malware, but it usually can’t decrypt files. Backups are your best protection.