Alternative Scans

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NOTE: If you cannot boot your PC at all to run tools or all other tools do not seem to run or fix anything, see the section on Special Bootable CDs at the bottom of this message.

If you are still having problems after performing all the other steps in the READ & RUN ME sticky, these alternative scans below may prove to be useful. It would be good to perform these in safe mode since it may assist in the ability to remove an infection. However, there are cases where a problem does not show itself completely until you boot in normal mode. So first run these scans in normal boot mode, and if they have problems cleaning any particular items repeat the scan in safe mode to see if it helps. Always keep track of what these scans find (save logs or take notes), and report them back in your thread to anyone helping you.

The symbol (Vista) means it works on Vista. It does not mean it is for only Vista. In most cases if it supports Vista, Win 7 is likely supported too.


Free Offline Scanning Tools - no internet connecion required

• avast! Virus Cleaner Tool No installation required! Ready to run as is (Vista)
• CounterSpy - 15 day trial. Requires installation. (Vista)
• CWShredder If you are having problems with CoolWebSearch infections run CWShredder. No installation required! Just unzip it to a folder and run. (Vista)
• Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool
• Kill2me For older forms of Look 2 Me infections. It will not help with any recent forms of Look 2 Me. No installation required! Just unzip it to a folder. (Vista)
• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - Requires installation. (Vista) To install and run, refer to this >> Using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
• McAfee AVERT Stinger..... No installation required! Ready to run as is. (Vista)
• Panda Quick Remover
• SUPERAntiSpyware - Requires installation. (Vista) To install and run, refer to this >> SUPERAntiSpyware - running & getting a log
• SUPERAntiSpyware_Portable ( no installation required ) (Vista)
• TrojanScan
• ZoneAlarm Spyware Scanner (Vista)

Free Online Scanning Tools - requires a working internet connecion

• Bitdefender - Requires Internet Explorer. See this: Using BitDefender Online Scan (Vista)
• ESETs Online Scanner see this Using ESET's Online Scanner supports all Windows OS including Vista
• F-Secure Online Scanner - Requires Internet Explorer. Supports 32 bit versions Windows 2000 SP4, XP and Vista
• Running Kaspersky Online Scanner - Save the log and attach it to your message. (Vista)
• McAfee FreeScan (Vista)
• Panda ActiveScan - requires Internet Explorer. Refer to Using PandaActiveScan for more info
• Trend Micro's Free Online Virus Scan
  • NOTE: If using a non-IE browser, you can use: Trend Micro's online scan with Java
• Trend Micro Housecall (Vista)
• Windows Live Safety Center Free Online Scan (Vista)

Check for a possible RootKit Infections


Below is a list a some tools that can be used to locate and remove rootkits. Some of these are easier to use than others and you have to be a little careful in reading the reports. Some help is given for a few of them.

• GMER - see Running GMER to detect rootkits for info on using and getting a log (Vista)
• BitDefender RootkitUncover
• Trend Micro RootkitBuster (Vista)
• Sophos Anti-Rootkit - see Using Sophos Anti-Rootkit
• Panda Anti-Rootkit
• RootKit Hook Analyzer (Vista)
• RootRepeal ( see:Running RootRepeal )
• SysProt AntiRootkit ( see: SysProt AntiRootkit - How to run, )
• Gromozon Rootkit Removal Tool - specialize for only the Gromozon rootkit
• Rootkit Revealer

Free Special Bootable CDs To Create


If you are having problems where you cannot boot, or cannot run any scans while Windows is running, or other scans just have not helped, you may want to try creating one or more of the below CDs to boot from that allow you to run scans and perform many other tasks without Windows even being loaded. Sometimes this can help to get you started when all else fails. They can even help in cases where a previous scan may have removed something that resulted in your PC being unbootable.

• Avira Rescue CD - see the Also available in ISO format link at the bottom. Also see Tutorial for Avira Rescue CD
• AVG Rescue CD
• BitDefender Rescue USB
• F-Secure Rescue CD
• Kaspersky Rescue Disk
• SystemRescueCD
• Trinity Rescue CD
• UBCD4Win
• Secure2k BootCD - Malware/Rootkit Removal
• Ubuntu LiveCD
  • Also see: Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer
• Hiren's BootCD

If you have gotten this far without success, you may need some special help. Please post a message indicating what you have run and your results and include what problems remain.