Virus removal tools are sometimes standalone, one-time scanners that perform a quick scan of your system and remove any malicious software found. These applications are great for use as second-opinion scanners that work in conjunction with existing antivirus programs.

However, not all virus removal tools are standalone. Some are included in antivirus applications. Either way, they perform the same task: scanning a system for malicious files and then removing those files.

We've reviewed dozens of standalone virus removal tools and virus removal tools that come with antivirus applications. These are the best free antivirus removal tools we've found.

Norton is a well-known name in antivirus software, so it’s no surprise that Norton offers a small-footprint virus removal tool that will scan your system and remove any potential threats. However, it’s a pleasant surprise that Norton Power Eraser lets you customize the areas of your computer that you want scanned, and it includes a tool that lets you undo previous virus removals, in case something you removed in the past (with Norton) was a false positive.