A list of Windows rootkit detection and removal tools

A list of rootkit detection and/or removal tools from publicly trusted sources:

Name, Vendor, Latest release

RootkitRevealer, Sysinternals, November 1 2006

Rootkit Unhooker, ep_x0ff (now working at Microsoft according to Rootkit.com), December 2007

F-Secure Blacklight, F-Secure, Unknown

GMER, GMER, March 2009

Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool, Microsoft, April 2009

IceSword, Unknown, September 2005

Please add any trusted tools that you know of to the list.


RootkitRevealer

RootkitRevealer is an advanced rootkit detection utility. It runs on Windows NT 4 and higher and its output lists Registry and file system API discrepancies that may indicate the presence of a user-mode or kernel-mode rootkit. RootkitRevealer successfully detects many persistent rootkits including AFX, Vanquish and HackerDefender (note: RootkitRevealer is not intended to detect rootkits like Fu that don't attempt to hide their files or registry keys).


F-secure blacklight (free, Windows)