Rescue Disk

Find and remove persistent or difficult-to-clean security threats

Trend Micro Rescue Disk allows you to use a CD, DVD, or USB drive to examine your computer without launching Microsoft Windows. It finds and removes persistent or difficult-to-clean security threats that can lurk deep within your operating system.

Rescue Disk does not need to load potentially-infected system files into memory before trying to remove them. It can scan hidden files, system drivers, and the Master Boot Record (MBR) of your computer’s hard drive without disturbing the operating system.

Getting Started

  1. Click Download to begin.
  2. If prompted, click Save or Save As, and save the file on your computer’s desktop.
  3. While the installer downloads, prepare one of the following:
    •    Blank CD or DVD (do not use a rewritable disc)
    •    Empty USB Drive (128MB or larger)
      NOTE: The drive will be reformatted before creating Rescue Disk, and anything already on the USB drive will be lost. Please back up any important files before using a USB drive for Trend Micro Rescue Disk.
  4. When you have finished downloading the file, double-click the Trend Micro Rescue Disk icon to start the installer.

 

To launch your computer from a CD or DVD, you must set the BIOS to boot from a different device. While the exact procedure differs from computer to computer, the overall process is usually like this:

  1. Insert the disc or USB drive into the computer.
  2. Restart the computer.
  3. When the computer powers up again, look for a BIOS setup message, which often looks like “Press [KEY] to run Setup” where [KEY] might be Delete, ESC, or one of the F1–F12 keys.
  4. Once the BIOS Setup Utility has opened, look for a tab labelled Boot, Boot Order, or Boot Options.

 

Find out more about using Rescue Disk on our eSupport site
After setting up Rescue Disk on one computer, you can use it to clean another computer.

System Requirements

Hardware
  • Intel™ Pentium™ 500MHz or compatible processor
  • 256MB of RAM
  • Blank CD/DVD or USB drive (128MB or greater)

Note: USB 3.0 is currently not supported in Rescue Disk
Operating System
  • Microsoft™ Windows™ XP SP 3 (32-bit only)
  • Microsoft™ Windows™ Vista
  • Microsoft™ Windows™ 7
  • Microsoft™ Windows™ 8
  • Microsoft™ Windows™ 10
Boot Device Support
 Ability to boot from CD/DVD or USB

Suggestions for common issues when trying to use a CD, DVD, or USB drive for Trend Micro Rescue Disk.
 

ISSUES POSSIBLE CAUSES SUGGESTIONS

1. Error when choosing the device to use

  • No disc detected
  • Read-only disc

2. Error while setting up Trend Micro Rescue Disk

  • Unable to format the USB drive
  • Unable to write to the USB device
  • Damaged disc
  • Unsupported disc: CD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RW
  • Computer moved or shaken while writing the disc
  • Malicious software has infected the computer
  • Update your device drivers
  • Try another blank disc
  • Try another disc drive
  • Try again or create a Rescue Disk on an uninfected computer
     

1. Error when choosing the device to use

  • No USB drive detected
  • Ready only USB drive

2. Error while setting up Trend Micro Rescue Disk

  • Unable to format the USB drive
  • Unable to write to the USB device
  • Damaged USB hub or drive
  • Drive capacity is too small (128MB minimum)
  • Unsupported USB drive
  • Write-protected USB drive
  • Password-protected USB drive
  • Malicious software has infected the computer
  • Try a different USB drive
  • Try to reformat the USB drive using Windows Explorer
  • Try to set up Rescue Disk on an uninfected computer

Terms of use

These free antivirus services are provided on an "AS IS" basis. Trend Micro reserves the right to change the terms of this free antivirus site offerings without advance notice. Trend Micro also reserves the right to refuse service to any Web site at its sole discretion. For more information, please see our legal notice.

Feedback

Although Trend Micro does not provide free technical support for Rescue Disk, we do encourage you to provide your feedback and suggestions regarding your experience with this free tool. Provide feedback