Antivirus software is regarded as a “must-have” program for any computer. They aid in the protection of your computer against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. There is no need to be concerned if you have a capable antivirus program installed on your computer.
Although computers come with certain built-in protection, it is always good to have a paid antivirus so that you are completely safe. To understand the difference between free windows protection and a paid antivirus, take a look at bitdefender vs windows defender.
But in case, if the virus or malware infects your whole computer then you might require a portable antivirus to completely clean your computer. These antivirus programs, like most portable apps, do not require installation on your PC. You can take them with you anywhere in the form of, say, USB drives and ensure that your systems are secure.
Contents
Best Portable Antivirus Software for Windows
Microsoft Safety Scanner
Microsoft security scanner is a scanning tool that is designed to provide on-demand scanning to assist in the removal of spyware, viruses, and other malicious software. The Microsoft Safety Scanner, unlike a traditional program that is installed on your computer, is simply an executable file that you can load onto your USB drive.
Microsoft Safety Scanner works in conjunction with your existing antivirus software and includes an up-to-date malware definition database. It is worth noting, however, that this scanner has a 10-day expiration date after being downloaded. As a result, it is recommended that you download a new one and rerun the scan to ensure your safety.
Pros
- Scan on demand
- Can be started from a USB drive
- Malware Definitions are kept up to date.
- Malware detection and removal
Cons
- Expires after 10 days
Download Microsoft Safety Scanner (Free)
Read: How to Create a Computer Virus Using Notepad (Simple)
Emsisoft Emergency Kit
It’s not the lightest thing on the market, but Emsisoft Emergency Kit packs a powerful punch when it comes to removing shortcut viruses, keyloggers, and other malware from any computer. Unlike the other scanners on the list, this one requires only a few minutes to install because it extracts from program files. Once that is completed, you can quickly begin scanning.
Emsisoft Emergency Kit has a simple interface with all options neatly listed in the overview screen. It also comes with a command-line scanner (that supports all standard features like Direct Disk Access) that is ideal for running batch scan jobs.
Pros
- Portable and lightweight
- There is no need for installation.
- Both GUI and command-line interface are available.
- Malware and keyloggers are detected.
- Assistance with quarantine
- Access to the Disk
Cons
- None
Download Emsisoft Emergency Kit (Free)
Zemana AntiMalware
Zemana Anti-Malware is a well-known portable and lightweight antivirus program. You can install it on your PC in seconds and begin virus removal. Unlike other antiviruses, this one does not ignore any malicious programs. It scans your system for malware and spyware and has powerful removal capabilities. Furthermore, it detects rogue browsers as well.
Not to mention, the scanning process is quite quick because it checks file integrity using its well-sourced cloud definition. This antivirus saves a lot of resource overhead on the local PC by using the cloud as a checkpoint. However, if you use Zemana for more than 30 days, it now costs $25 per year. Overall, I would say that if you’re looking for a portable antivirus, Zemana checks almost all of the boxes.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Quick scanning
- Detects spyware, malware, adware
- Supports virus removal
- Updated Cloud definition
Cons
- No USB drive support
Download Zemana (Free trial for 30 days, $25/year)
Hiren’s BootCD PE
In general, portable antivirus is used to scan an infected computer by isolating it and connecting it to another recovery environment. If you are one of these users, you can try Hiren’s BootCD PE (HBCD). It’s one of the most popular recovery environments, with a plethora of tools to help you recover your computer.
It includes two antivirus programs: ESET Online Scanner and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, which you can use to remove malicious programs without even booting your computer. The best part is that you can flash HBCD onto a USB drive and boot into a secure environment to perform various rescue operations without fear of data loss. I understand that recovering your data is not a simple task.
Pros
- It is possible to boot from a USB drive, and it includes two antivirus program
- Malware detection and removal
- Other recovery tools are included.
- Removes the infected system
- It is completely free to use.
Cons
- Not lightweight
Download Hiren’s BootCD (Free)
McAfee GetSusp
This is a new toolkit developed for big enterprises, but day-to-day consumers can also take advantage of this portable antivirus. It also allows you to quickly look for any malicious programs that are not detectable through basic antiviruses. It uses McAfee’s online database of suspicious files to detect harmful programs.
McAfee GetSusp can detect undetected malware on the system using this method. The best thing about this tool is that it is extremely light, weighing only 3.4MB. As a result, you can keep it on your pen drive and quickly run the program to clean a computer of malware and adware. So, for the best portable antivirus experience, get McAfee GetSusp.
Pros
- Extremely small footprint
- Easy to use
- Makes use of cloud definitions
- Capable of detecting undetected malwareCons
- No virus removal
Cons
- No virus removal
Download McAfee GetSusp (Free)
Read: Remove Svchost.exe Virus in Windows 10 (Step By Step Guide)
Avast Rescue Disk
Avast can be used to create a Rescue Disk, similar to Hiren’s BootCD PE. Using the Avast Rescue Disk, you will be able to completely isolate the infected system and remove malware. Simply install Avast Antivirus on another computer and use it to create a Rescue Disk on a USB drive.
Now, connect it to the infected computer, and a lightweight Avast program will begin scanning your PC for suspicious files. This way, you won’t have to worry about getting infected again. Sure, the procedure is not as simple as you might expect, but if your computer is infected with malware, a bootable Rescue Disk is your only option.
Pros
- Bootable through USB
- Best for system recovery
- Free to use
- Scans and removes malware
- Isolate the infected machine
- Offers detailed log
Cons
- Lengthy process
Download Avast Rescue Disk (Free)
Norton Power Eraser
Norton, as you are all aware, is a well-known name in antivirus software, and the Norton Power Eraser is no exception. It is a lightweight, stand-alone utility capable of quickly detecting and removing even the most aggressive viruses. Furthermore, it is capable of removing unwanted root-kit applications.
The most distinctive feature of Norton Power Eraser is Reputation Scan, this feature can be used to send a specific file/folder to the Symantec server for scanning by signature-based detection engines. If your computer has more than one operating system installed, you can even configure it to scan only one of them.
Pros
- Powerful virus removal
- Uses Norton cloud definition
- Signature-based detection engine
- Can be booted from USB drive
Cons
- Can remove even safe programs
Download Norton Power Eraser (Free)
McAfee Stinger
McAfee Stinger is a simple yet powerful tool that can scan for (and remove) root-kits, registry modules, boot sectors, and a variety of other threats. The standalone program can be configured to perform various actions (remove, repair, etc.) as needed.
McAfee Stinger also includes Global Threat Intelligence, a cloud-based service that predicts threats based on activity from numerous sensors around the world, as well as a large research team. It can even detect a predefined list of malware. Oh, and here’s another fascinating fact: it comes from Intel Security, the world’s largest dedicated security technology company.
Pros
- Best for fixing system errors
- Uses cloud-based definition
- Quick and effective
- Detailed logs
Cons
- No virus removal
Download McAfee Stinger (Free)
Dr. Web CureIt!
Dr. Web CureIt antivirus software is lightweight and portable, weighing around 175MB, and it is yet another tool worth investigating. Unlike Emsisoft Emergency Kit, Dr. Web CureIt does not require any installation due to its small size. You can begin the scan by double-clicking the downloaded file.
Dr. Web CureIt! performs an express scan to detect viruses, adware, and other threats. Once the scanning is complete, Dr. Web CureIt! gives you the option to “Neutralize” the threats, which is extremely useful because it eliminates the need to manually delete the files.
Pros
- Very quick
- Click and run
- Detects malware and adware
- Quarantine support
Cons
- Not bootable
Download Dr. Web CureIt (Free)
Comodo Cleaning Essentials
Looking for a powerful anti-malware application that can be used on the go? All you need is Comodo Cleaning Essentials. It can scan (and remove) everything from viruses to corrupted registry keys to root kits, and it integrates with Comodo’s cloud scanners to provide real-time safety reports on unknown processes.
It also includes a KillSwitch sub-module, which allows you to scan running programs and network connections for malware and forcefully terminate them if they are infected. The Autorun Analyzer, on the other hand, can be used to handle services and programs that are loaded at system startup.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Cloud scanner
- Removes root-kits
- KillSwitch support
- Real-time safety reports
Cons
- Decent cloud definition database
Download Comodo Cleaning Essentials (Free, $17.99 per year)
Avira PC Cleaner
Avira PC Cleaner is still the best portable antivirus program for Windows 10. Unlike all other portable antivirus scanners, the Avira PC Cleaner is not bloated with unnecessary functionality. It’s also lightweight, and it doesn’t slow down the computer when scanning. This free tool can only remove viruses and malware from a computer.
Download Avira PC Cleaner (Download)
Spybot – Search & Destroy Portable
Spybot-Search & Destroy Portable is another top-rated portable malware scanner that can detect and remove spyware, malware, and viruses from your computer. The user interface of the portable security tool is fairly simple and clutter-free, and it also includes a personalised search mode.
Download Spybot (Download)
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Need for Portable Antivirus?
Portable antivirus is typically used by users who want to scan a system quickly before using it (like libraries and internet cafes). It is also used to detect malware and suspicious programs on a computer that has been heavily infected. Because you cannot install a traditional antivirus on an infected system, these portable antivirus programs assist you in locating the source of the problem and removing it without even turning on the computer.
How to Increase Your Security?
If you want to improve the security of your PC, I recommend that you update the virus definitions of the antivirus software you use on a regular basis. Also, enable real-time protection. Most users will be satisfied with the native Windows Defender, but if you are not, you can find the best antivirus for Windows 10 from our comprehensive list
How to Use the Best Portable Antivirus Tool?
The process for using a portable antivirus program varies depending on the tool, but in general, you only need to scan the system and remove threats if the tool supports it. Use Portable Antivirus Software to Secure Data.
Conclusion
So, the best portable antiviruses are listed above, along with their features and pros and cons. Hope you guys have gone through the products and their reviews. Don’t hesitate to comment below, we are open to your suggestions as well.
