Virus removal tools can be standalone one-time scanners or built into full antivirus software. They scan your system for malicious files and remove them. Standalone tools are great as a second opinion alongside existing antivirus apps.
We reviewed many options and picked the best free virus scan and removal tools available. Take one of these for a spin if you’re suspicious about a specific file or program, or if you suspect issues with your other AV software.
What We Like
-
Works for Windows 7-10 on 32- and 64-bit systems.
-
Completely free; requires no registration.
-
Integrated version runs automatically with Windows Update.
A free virus scan and removal tool that many Windows Defender users will find helpful is the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT). This free download from Microsoft will quickly scan your system and quarantine or remove any malicious software that’s found.
Of course, you don’t have to be using Microsoft Windows Defender to use the MSRT, but if you are a Windows Defender user, this is a nice (and free) additional tool that will help if you find that something nefarious slips past your defenses.
Microsoft Safety Scanner works similarly; it works on Windows 11 through Windows 7, plus several Windows Server editions. If you suspect an infection, it’s advisable to run both tools.
Norton is a well-known name in antivirus applications, so it’s no surprise that the company offers a small-footprint free virus scan and removal tool.
However, it is a pleasant surprise that the Norton Power Eraser allows you to customize the areas of your computer you would like to have scanned, and includes a tool that lets you undo previous virus removals, just in case something you’ve removed (with Norton) in the past was a false positive.
It is a concern that false positives might be caught by Norton Power Eraser, but it’s also not all that unusual. Just use caution when agreeing to Norton’s recommendations to remove programs.
When in doubt, do some research to find out if the application that is flagged is indeed a threat. If it’s not, you can try leaving it on your system. You can always come back and remove it later.
Bitdefender is one of the best-known and highest-rated names in antivirus protection. The Bitdefender antivirus suites are all well-developed, easy to use, and effective at stopping viruses and other types of malware. So, it’s not a surprise that Bitdefender made this list.
Once Bitdefender has detected a virus, it is quarantined and removed without much problem. Unless it happens to be a persistent (aka recurring) virus infection. Then, you’ll need to subscribe to one of Bitdefender’s paid programs.
Don’t let that scare you away, though. Bitdefender offers several free virus scan and removal tools, and in most cases, the Bitdefender software (including the free version) will remove any virus or malware that’s found.
What We Like
-
Excellent AV Test scores.
-
High ratings with Android users.
-
Easy to use and effective.
Avast is a top-of-the-line antivirus application for Android and other devices. It is a full antivirus application, but as part of that application, it has virus removal capabilities. And it performs very well, proven by independent lab testing through AV-TEST and others. Avast performs well in all the tests, with all the labs, usually scoring perfect or near perfect, no matter what is thrown at it.
However, this is a full antivirus application, so you’ll need to install it on your device. Once installed, you can set the scanner for manual or automated scans, and once detected, malware of all types can be removed using the built-in virus removal tools.
Thanks for letting us know!
Subscribe
Tell us why!
Other
Not enough details
Hard to understand
