{"id":12117,"date":"2010-03-25T01:00:12","date_gmt":"2010-03-24T19:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/?p=12117"},"modified":"2026-10-13T13:38:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T08:08:07","slug":"download-free-avg-rescue-bootup-cd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/download-free-avg-rescue-bootup-cd\/","title":{"rendered":"AVG Rescue CD Alternatives: Best Antivirus Rescue Disks for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When malware stops Windows from starting or hides from your normal antivirus, a bootable <strong>antivirus rescue disk<\/strong> 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&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-64424\" src=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/antivirus-rescue-disk-1024x538.webp\" alt=\"Best antivirus rescue disks\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/antivirus-rescue-disk-1024x538.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/antivirus-rescue-disk-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/antivirus-rescue-disk-150x79.webp 150w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/antivirus-rescue-disk-768x403.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-content\/uploads\/antivirus-rescue-disk.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick answer:<\/strong> The easiest option is <strong>Microsoft Defender Offline<\/strong>, built into Windows: open Windows Security &gt; Virus &amp; threat protection &gt; Scan options and run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan. If Windows won&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6addd1990cc9d\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #1a202c;color:#1a202c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6addd1990cc9d\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/download-free-avg-rescue-bootup-cd\/#Best_antivirus_rescue_disks_in_2026\" >Best antivirus rescue disks in 2026<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/download-free-avg-rescue-bootup-cd\/#1_Microsoft_Defender_Offline_built_into_Windows\" >1. Microsoft Defender Offline (built into Windows)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/download-free-avg-rescue-bootup-cd\/#2_Kaspersky_Rescue_Disk\" >2. Kaspersky Rescue Disk<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/download-free-avg-rescue-bootup-cd\/#3_Avast_Rescue_Disk\" >3. Avast Rescue Disk<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/download-free-avg-rescue-bootup-cd\/#How_to_use_a_bootable_rescue_USB\" >How to use a bootable rescue USB<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/download-free-avg-rescue-bootup-cd\/#Discontinued_rescue_disks\" >Discontinued rescue disks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/download-free-avg-rescue-bootup-cd\/#After_cleaning_an_infected_PC\" >After cleaning an infected PC<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/download-free-avg-rescue-bootup-cd\/#FAQ\" >FAQ<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/download-free-avg-rescue-bootup-cd\/#Is_AVG_Rescue_CD_still_available\" >Is AVG Rescue CD still available?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/download-free-avg-rescue-bootup-cd\/#Does_Windows_have_a_built-in_rescue_scan\" >Does Windows have a built-in rescue scan?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2010\/03\/download-free-avg-rescue-bootup-cd\/#Can_a_rescue_disk_remove_ransomware\" >Can a rescue disk remove ransomware?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_antivirus_rescue_disks_in_2026\"><\/span>Best antivirus rescue disks in 2026<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Microsoft_Defender_Offline_built_into_Windows\"><\/span>1. Microsoft Defender Offline (built into Windows)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Restarts your PC into a special environment that scans for rootkits and stubborn malware before Windows loads. No download or USB needed.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Open <strong>Windows Security<\/strong> from the Start menu.<\/li>\n<li>Go to <strong>Virus &amp; threat protection &gt; Scan options<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Select <strong>Microsoft Defender Offline scan<\/strong> and click <strong>Scan now<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Save your work; the PC restarts and the scan takes about 15 minutes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Kaspersky_Rescue_Disk\"><\/span>2. Kaspersky Rescue Disk<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A free bootable image that updates its malware definitions before scanning and works even when Windows won&#8217;t boot. Note that Kaspersky products are banned from sale in the US, so availability depends on your country.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Avast_Rescue_Disk\"><\/span>3. Avast Rescue Disk<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Create it from inside the free <a href=\"https:\/\/www.avast.com\/free-antivirus-download\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Avast Antivirus<\/a> (Menu &gt; Settings or Protection &gt; Virus Scans &gt; Rescue Disk). AVG and Avast now belong to the same company, so this is the closest successor to the old AVG Rescue CD.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_use_a_bootable_rescue_USB\"><\/span>How to use a bootable rescue USB<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>On a clean computer, download the rescue image or create the disk from the antivirus app.<\/li>\n<li>Write it to a USB drive (Rufus works well for ISO files).<\/li>\n<li>Plug the USB into the infected PC and open the boot menu (often F12, F11, Esc or F8 at startup).<\/li>\n<li>Boot from the USB, update definitions if offered, and run a full scan.<\/li>\n<li>Remove the USB and restart normally.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Some PCs need Secure Boot temporarily disabled to boot older Linux-based rescue disks; turn it back on afterwards.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Discontinued_rescue_disks\"><\/span>Discontinued rescue disks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>AVG Rescue CD<\/strong>: no longer works on Windows 10 and 11.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bitdefender Rescue CD<\/strong>: retired in 2019.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Norton Bootable Recovery Tool<\/strong> and <strong>Trend Micro Rescue Disk<\/strong>: no longer work on current Windows.<\/li>\n<li><strong>ESET SysRescue Live<\/strong>: ended by ESET.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"After_cleaning_an_infected_PC\"><\/span>After cleaning an infected PC<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Update Windows and all apps.<\/li>\n<li>Change important passwords from a clean device and turn on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2015\/11\/secure-google-email-account\/\">2-step verification<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Back up files regularly so ransomware can&#8217;t hold you hostage.<\/li>\n<li>Run a second opinion scanner if problems continue.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Need a rescue USB anyway? See how to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2013\/01\/how-to-format-usb-pen-drives\/\">format a USB flash drive<\/a> first, and keep handy tools from our list of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/2009\/09\/free-small-softwares\/\">small free software<\/a>, including Rufus.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQ\"><\/span>FAQ<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_AVG_Rescue_CD_still_available\"><\/span>Is AVG Rescue CD still available?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, it doesn&#8217;t work with current Windows versions. Use Microsoft Defender Offline or the Avast Rescue Disk instead.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_Windows_have_a_built-in_rescue_scan\"><\/span>Does Windows have a built-in rescue scan?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Microsoft Defender Offline scans before Windows starts, from Windows Security.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_a_rescue_disk_remove_ransomware\"><\/span>Can a rescue disk remove ransomware?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It can remove the malware, but it usually can&#8217;t decrypt files. Backups are your best protection.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When malware stops Windows from starting or hides from your normal antivirus, a bootable antivirus rescue disk can scan the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":64424,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[48,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-downloads","category-security"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12117","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12117"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12117\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65328,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12117\/revisions\/65328"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/64424"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}