No one looks forward to removing malware from an infected PC. Thankfully, though, it is both something we don't have to deal with too often – especially if you keep your software up to date and install OS updates when they become available.
However, the rise of targeted malware and social engineering makes it harder and harder to remain infection-free. And so, malware removal tools are a must-have. There are, thankfully, several tools available, both free and paid-for, that can take down even the most persistent of malware from a Windows system, and we've rounded them up for you here.
The best malware removal tools 2025
Avast Free Antivirus (avast.com)
Avast, a security specialist that hails from Czechia, has over 30 years of experience in the field, and it offers both free and paid-for malware removal tools. And it is one of the best around; Avast won the top three-star score – an impressive protection rating score of 99.8% – in the latest tests by independent security lab AV-Comparatives. Avast was also named a "top product" by AV-Test review, with a perfect protection score of 100%. So it is, by all accounts, a top-tier anti-malware product.
However, what really gets ITPro's recommendation is the fact that it can even clean PCs that don't have software installed. All editions, whether free or paid-for, come with a Rescue Disk builder. With this, you can create a bootable USB flash drive that can be used to scan and clean any PC. What's more, because the antivirus tool works beyond Windows, it means that even the most dangerous of malware can't interfere with the removal process.
For more information, read our full Avast Antivrius Free review.
AVG Free Antivirus (avg.com)
AVG is actually owned by Avast – though it did start out as an independent firm – so there is a level of quality to assume from that arrangement. Unsurprisingly, AVG boasts stellar results for detecting malware, and it has also received the same AV-Comparative three-star rating.
Its software offers similar capabilities to Avast, such as the Rescue Disk builder. This can either create a bootable USB flash drive or generate an ISO file with the latest malware signatures. You can then burn it onto a DVD for older computers.
For emergency malware removal, therefore, there's not a lot to choose between Avast and AVG – you can expect either one to do an excellent job. However, if you're looking for everyday protection, there are a few key differences between the brands' business offerings: notably, Avast's business suite includes VPN and patch management features, while AVG offers protection for Exchange and SharePoint servers.
This product can be downloaded here.
Microsoft Windows Security offline scan
Don't underestimate Windows' built-in malware defenses. Test results from both AV-Comparatives and AV-Test confirm that Windows Defender Antivirus does a very respectable job of identifying and neutralizing endpoint threats before they can execute their payload.
However, if something's already compromised your system, it's possible that Windows Security won't be able to block it. In cases like this, the offline scan feature can save your bacon. To find it, open the Windows Security app, click on "Virus & threat protection", click "Scan options" and select the bottom radio button.
Offline scan works similarly to a rescue disk, carrying out a thorough inspection of your hard disk from outside of your Windows installation. However, with Defender there's no need to create a bootable drive: when you click "Scan now" the computer reboots into a pre-built, cryptographically verified environment, scans your main hard disk, removes any detected malware, then automatically boots back into the main OS. The whole process takes around 15 minutes, so it's a quick way to root out deeply embedded malware, with no need for additional software or hardware.
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Avira Rescue System (avira.com)
Avira offers a range of free and paid-for security products; in the most recent AV-Comparatives real-world protection test Avira Free Antivirus placed in the top rank of consumer security tools, while AV-Test awarded a "Top Product" certification to the paid-for Avira Internet Security for Windows suite.
For emergency malware removal, however, you don't need to install either package. The Avira Rescue System is a free downloadable ISO file that you can burn to a USB flash drive or blank DVD, then boot from to scan and disinfect any Windows PC.
Accessing the Avira rescue system is a little more fiddly than other options, as no setup tools are provided – you need to write the ISO to a USB drive yourself. This isn't hard though, as Avira provides step-by-step instructions for writing the file using the free Rufus USB imaging too. And Avira's excellent protection credentials mean it may be able to defeat viruses that other systems miss. You can download the Avira Rescue System and supporting documentation direct from the Avira website.
Eset Online Scanner (eset.com)
Eset is another well-regarded security brand. Its Eset Home Security Essential suite recently gained a three-star recommendation from AV-Comparatives, while Eset Security Ultimate was ranked as a Top Product in the latest AV-Test review.
The company recently discontinued its bootable antivirus image, but it instead offers a free malware scanner that can find and remove infections even if your main endpoint security software has been compromised. To use it, simply download the installer from the Eset website and run the executable file; the lightweight Online Scanner utility then fetches the latest virus signatures, scans your system, and removes anything dangerous. You can even leave it on your system and set it to run automatically to a schedule, to spot and neutralize threats that might otherwise sneak past your primary defenses.
