Bootable USB Virus Scan & Removal

TL;DR

Yes, a virus can infect Windows 10 bootable media (like a USB drive or DVD). However, it’s not common. This guide shows you how to scan for and remove viruses from your bootable media.

How Viruses Infect Bootable Media

Viruses typically get onto bootable media through:

• Downloading infected ISO files
• Using an already-infected computer to create the bootable drive
• Malicious software disguised as legitimate tools

Scanning for Viruses

1. Connect the Bootable Media: Plug your USB drive or insert your DVD into your computer.
2. Run a Full Scan with Windows Security: This is the easiest method.
   • Open Windows Security (search for it in the Start menu).
   • Click on Virus & threat protection.
   • Select Scan options.
   • Choose Full scan and click Scan now. Make sure to select all drives, including your bootable media drive.
3. Use a Bootable Antivirus Scanner (Recommended for Thoroughness): If Windows Security doesn’t find anything, or you suspect a deep infection, use a dedicated bootable antivirus scanner.
   • Download an ISO image of a bootable antivirus tool. Popular options include:
     • Kaspersky Rescue Disk: https://support.kaspersky.com/virusesremoval/krd80254
     • Bitdefender Rescue Environment: https://www.bitdefender.com/support/how-to-create-a-bitdefender-rescue-cd-627.html
   • Burn the ISO image to a USB drive or DVD using software like Rufus (https://rufus.ie/). Important: Use a clean computer for this step!
   • Boot your computer from the newly created bootable antivirus media (you may need to change the boot order in your BIOS settings – usually by pressing Del, F2, F12 or Esc during startup).
   • Follow the on-screen instructions of the antivirus scanner to perform a full scan of all drives, including your Windows 10 bootable drive.

Removing Viruses

The virus removal process depends on what the scanner finds:

• Quarantine/Delete Infected Files: The antivirus software will usually offer options to quarantine or delete infected files. Always choose to quarantine first if possible, as this allows you to restore them later if needed (though restoring is generally not recommended).
• Recreate the Bootable Media: If a significant number of system files are infected, the safest option is to recreate the bootable media from a clean Windows 10 ISO image. Download the latest ISO from Microsoft’s website (https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10) and use a clean computer to create a new bootable USB drive or DVD.

Preventing Future Infections

1. Download ISOs from Trusted Sources: Only download Windows 10 ISO images directly from Microsoft’s official website.
2. Scan Downloads Before Use: Always scan any downloaded files, including ISO images, with a reputable antivirus program before using them.
3. Use a Clean Computer: When creating bootable media, use a computer that is known to be free of viruses and malware.
4. Keep Antivirus Software Up-to-Date: Ensure your antivirus software is always up-to-date with the latest virus definitions.