The best malware removal tools 2025 – both free and paid-for

Removing malware from an infected PC or server is a task no one relishes. Thankfully it's not one you have to deal with very often: if you keep your security software up to date, and install OS updates as they become available, you can minimize the chance of getting infected.

Even so, with the rise of targeted malware and sophisticated social-engineering attacks, no business is wholly safe – and many people don't know what to do when they find they've been compromised. Happily, there are several tools you can use, both free and paid-for, to remove even the most stubborn malware from a Windows system. Here's our pick of the best ones.

The best malware removal tools 2025

Avast Free Antivirus (avast.com)

Czech-based security specialist Avast has been in business for 30 years and offers a range of free and paid-for anti-malware tools. The underlying engine is one of the best in the business, having picked up dozens of industry awards over the decades. In the latest tests by independent security lab AV-Comparatives, Avast won the top three-star score, with an exceptional 99.8% protection rating. Likewise, in the most recent AV-Test review, Avast was named a "Top Product" with perfect 100% protection scores – so whether you're using the free edition of the software or one of Avast's Business Security products, you can be confident that you're protected against attacks.

What's really great about Avast is that it can even clean PCs that don't have the software installed. All editions of the software (including the free one) include a Rescue Disk builder, which you can use to create a bootable USB flash drive. This can be used for scanning and cleaning any PC – and because the antivirus tool works outside of Windows, even the most aggressive malware can't interfere with the disinfecting process.

For more information, read our full Avast Antivrius Free review.

AVG Free Antivirus (avg.com)

Though AVG began life as an independent company, it's now owned by Avast, so it's no surprise that it gets equally stellar results when it comes to detecting and removing malware. AV-Comparatives gave AVG the same three-star rating as Avast in its most recent tests, and AV-Test acclaimed it as a Top Product.

The software offers many of the same features as Avast, including the Rescue Disk builder, which can either create a bootable USB flash drive or generate an ISO file with the latest malware signatures, which you can burn 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.

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.