The best free 2021 tools for an emergency boot device

If your computer no longer starts, for example a computer virus infected your computer and your personal data can no longer be accessed, rescue CDs usually can help. Below you can find some essential tools to access your computer again.

The tools below work independent of your operating system. They give your access to your computer and you can copy your valuable data, pictures, videos and other files and in many cases the system can also be restored.

Create a rescue CD

No matter which emergency tools you choose, the creation of an emergency CD is always possible. Just download the ISO or Zip files to your hard drive. Then burn the data onto a blank disc. It is important that you write the data to the CD with an ISO-compatible burning program. Additionally, many of the tools can also be started from a USB stick.

System failure after virus attack

If your virus scanner has failed because a new, dangerous virus is making the rounds, a rescue CD with an integrated virus scanner can help, because the data on the CD cannot be attacked by a virus. To do this, you should first download the latest version of the manufacturer on a functioning computer.

If you want to check your system with the external security software, start the system with the boot CD. This is also where the scanner software is located, which you can start from the CD. If the problem can be resolved and the operating system starts again, have the virus scanner software installed on your computer run a complete system check to be on the safe side. Just make sure that it is up to date.

System rescue

Viruses are not always the problem. A boot CD/USB stick will help, as it enables the system to be started and allows access to the hard disks. In addition, the computer can be checked and errors in the system can be repaired.

Data backup

If neither an external virus scanner nor the system rescue tools help, the only option is often a new installation. Important and personal files are also deleted during this process. So there are backup tools that will give you access to your data even without starting the system. To do this, first save your files, photos, videos and other documents on the hard drive or partition on which Windows will not be installed. You can then reinstall the new system again.

Ideally, you should make regular backups of your data anyways. In the worst case, for example, if an irreparable hardware failure occurs on the hard drive, your data is still safe, as you have a backup.

Tools for an emergency case

Kaspersky Rescue Disk: If a virus can no longer be removed in the conventional way, Kaspersky Rescue Disk can help.

Kaspersky Rescue Disk on UpdateStar | Download

GParted Live: The Gnome Partition Editor Live starts from a CD and can check your hard drives and partitions, adjust the size, delete and backup data.

GParted Live | Download

Avira AntiVir Rescue System: Avira AntiVir Rescue System allows access to computers that no longer start. This allows you to repair a damaged system, rescue data or check the system for viruses.

Avira AntiVir Rescue System on UpdateStar | Download

PartedMagic: Partition, copy and clone your hard drives or backup data with PartedMagic. The tool boots from a USB stick, CD, or DVD.

PartedMagic on UpdateStar | Download

SystemRescueCd: If it is not even possible to start Windows after a system error, you can still use this self-starting CD to access the hard drives and rescue data or repair the Windows system.

SystemRescueCd on UpdateStar | Download

Acronis Disk Director Home: A wizard finds operating systems that have been accidentally deleted from the OS Selector boot menu. It is also intended to provide a remedy if an operating system is not automatically recognized on a freshly connected hard drive.

Acronis Disk Director Home on UpdateStar | Download

ImgBurn: This will burn the emergency ISO files from the rescue CDs.