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Kaspersky Rescue Disk lets you start a separate portable environment and scan a Windows computer without relying on its installed operating system. Download the disk image from Kaspersky, write it to a USB drive or DVD, boot the affected PC from that media, and start Rescue Tool. Back up first: Kaspersky warns that the tool can modify system files and potentially leave Windows inoperable.
Before you start
Have access to a working computer to download and prepare the boot media, plus a USB drive or DVD with at least 1 GB of capacity. Kaspersky’s instructions describe scanning Windows computers; they do not establish that every infection or encrypted volume will be accessible.
- Back up important data and, if possible, the operating system. Kaspersky Rescue Disk Help warns that Rescue Disk modifies operating-system system files and that this may make the operating system inoperable. This is a risk, not a certainty. See Kaspersky’s “Starting Kaspersky Rescue Tool” instructions (November 25, 2024).
- For a BitLocker-protected computer, have its recovery information available. Do not assume Rescue Disk will automatically unlock or scan an encrypted volume; check Kaspersky’s current BitLocker compatibility guidance before proceeding.
- Use Kaspersky’s official download. The image and interface may change, so follow the current official Kaspersky Rescue Disk Help and download page rather than relying on an unverified mirror.
1. Download the Rescue Disk image
On a working computer, open Kaspersky’s Rescue Disk Help and download page and obtain the current image using the download link provided there. Do not treat a third-party copy as a verified Kaspersky image.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →2. Create a bootable USB drive or DVD
Kaspersky documents USB and DVD boot media, with a minimum capacity of 1 GB. Creating boot media writes the image to the selected device, so check the destination carefully and save any files you need from it first.
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Write the image to a USB drive
- Connect the USB drive to the working computer.
- Use Rufus or Win32 Disk Imager to write the downloaded image, following the utility’s prompts and checking that the USB drive is the selected destination.
- If you use Rufus, Kaspersky recommends ISO mode. Rufus also offers DD mode. Win32 Disk Imager supports DD mode only.
- Wait for writing to finish, then safely eject the drive.
See Kaspersky’s “Creating a Kaspersky Rescue Disk boot disk” instructions (November 25, 2024) for its media-creation guidance.
Use a DVD instead
If the computer can boot from an optical drive, write the image to a DVD using suitable disc-writing software. Kaspersky specifies a DVD of at least 1 GB. The computer must also have a working DVD drive.
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3. Start the affected computer from the media
- Insert the prepared USB drive or DVD into the affected computer.
- Power on or restart the computer and open its Boot Menu. The key varies by computer model; Kaspersky gives Delete and F2 as examples. Check the computer maker’s instructions if those keys do not open the menu.
- Choose the USB drive or DVD as the startup device. If the computer starts Windows instead, restart and try again, or consult the manufacturer’s boot-menu guidance.
- Follow the Setup Wizard and select the interface language.
- Choose Graphic mode, which Kaspersky recommends. If the normal display mode does not work, try Limited graphic mode.
- Wait for the portable environment to load. Rescue Tool starts automatically.
If the keyboard or mouse does not work in the environment, Kaspersky advises checking the computer’s BIOS settings to make sure input-device support is enabled. Startup behavior and menu keys vary with hardware.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems4. Run and review the scan
- In Kaspersky Rescue Tool, select Start scan.
- Let the standard scan check system memory, startup objects, boot sectors, and files, including archive contents. You can edit the scan scope if you need a different selection.
- Review the scan results and the generated performance report. Use Rescue Tool’s available remediation choices for detections you want it to address.
Kaspersky describes Rescue Tool as a scanning and disinfection tool for Windows computers. A scan is not a guarantee that every infection, file, or encrypted volume can be accessed or cleaned.
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- SECURE CONNECTIONS – Just a few easy clicks, and we'll automatically protect your info on public Wi‑Fi, every time you connect.
- GUIDED ACTION – Know what matters and what to do next. Clear alerts and simple guidance make it easy to take action.
- MORE THAN ANTIVIRUS – Scam protection, identity monitoring, VPN, web protection, and antivirus work together to protect you, all in one place.
Can you update the antivirus databases or connect to the internet?
Kaspersky documents separate instructions for updating Rescue Disk antivirus databases and connecting Rescue Disk to the internet. These are documented options, not a guarantee that a particular network adapter, connection, or endpoint will work. Follow the current instructions in Kaspersky Help if you need to update or establish a connection.
5. Shut down and restart Windows
When the scan and any remediation are complete, use the shutdown procedure in Kaspersky’s current Rescue Disk Help. Remove the USB drive or DVD, then restart the computer so it boots from its internal drive.
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What to know about settings and saved data
By default, settings—including network settings—reset after restart. Kaspersky documents configuring a persistent partition on a USB drive to save settings across restarts. That persistence does not mean all Rescue Disk data stays on the USB drive: antivirus databases, reports, and other temporary files are stored on the computer’s hard drive. See Kaspersky’s persistence instructions for setup details.
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