Frequently Asked Question

Malware and antivirus software

How do I use ESET SysRescue to create a bootable USB flash drive, CD or DVD? (4.0)

ESET Smart Security 4.0 and ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4.0 include an entirely new wizard for creating bootable media such as CD, DVD or USB flash drive.  Users can boot an infected computer from this recovery medium to both scan and clean the system.

ESET SysRescue makes use of Microsoft Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK), a tool to create standalone “pre-installation” versions of Microsoft Windows that can be started from bootable media.
To download WAIK click here. The file is approximately 1.3GB in size and is in .iso (recordable DVD) format. To install WAIK, you will need to either burn the file to a DVD±R disc, or use a virtual DVD program to access it.


NOTE:

  • If you are using Windows XP or earlier, you must also install Windows IMAPI 2.0 (Image Mastering API) before creating your ESET SysRescue media. Click here to access the download page.
  • Due to limitations in Windows AIK, an ESET SysRescue cannot be created with the 64-bit version of ESET Smart Security or ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
  • Check with your computer or motherboard manufacturer to see if your system supports booting from a USB flash drive.
  • You may have to download and install other files before installing the Windows Automated Installation Kit, depending on which version of Microsoft Windows and which other applications are installed on your computer.
  • The SysRescue file requires 512MB of free space on your CD, DVD or USB flash drive.
After installing the Windows Automated Installation Kit, restart your computer. You can now use ESET Smart Security 4.0 or ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4.0 to create a SysRescue CD, DVD or USB flash drive. Here’s how to do this:
  1. Open the main program window by clicking the ESET icon  next to your system clock or by clicking StartAll ProgramsESETESET Smart Security or ESET NOD32 Antivirus.
  2. From the main menu on the left, click Tools and then click Create rescue CD in the primary window.




    Fig. 1-1

     

  3. The SysRescue welcome screen will be displayed. Click Next.




    Fig. 1-2

  4. Choose the desired SysRescue target media. In this example, we'll create a CD. Make sure a writeable CD is in the drive, select CD/DVD and click Next.




    Fig. 1-3



  5. After a short while, a summary of the SysRescue CD settings is displayed. Click the Change... button to modify any settings.


    NOTE: SysRescue automatically uses the AV Username from your license. If you have multiple licenses you may want to use the one with the longest lifespan.

    Click Create to create the SysRescue CD.



    Fig. 1-4




  6. A progress bar and series of windows will be displayed during the SysRescue CD creation process.

  7. After a few minutes, the SysRecue CD will be completed and a confirmation window will be displayed. Click Finish.



    Fig. 1-5

  8. Remove the CD from the drive and store it in a safe place.

 

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