Microsoft ships free malware cleaner that boots from CD or USB

In a move aimed at cutting down on support call costs, Microsoft has released a malware recovery tool that boots from a CD or USB stick.

The tool, currently in beta, is called Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper, and promises to help start an infected PC and perform an offline scan to help identify and remove rootkits and other advanced malware.

In addition, Microsoft says the System Sweeper utility can be used if you cannot install or start an antivirus solution on your PC, or if the installed solution can’t detect or remove malware on your PC.

The company made it clear that the recovery tool is not a replacement for a full antivirus product.

It is available for both 32-but and 64-bit Windows systems and uses the same antivirus engine as the Microsoft Security Essentials product.

Just last month, the company shipped a free security tool called Microsoft Safety Scanner to offer on-demand scanning to helps remove viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. The safety scanner works with existing antivirus software.

These utilities are a big part in helping Microsoft to cut down on support costs stemming from malware infections.