Yes. You can put TDSSKiller.exe on a flash drive, take it to any Windows computer (from XP to Windows 11), run it, and then delete the file. No leftovers, no reboots required for installation.

Kaspersky TDSSKiller is not your typical antivirus program. It is a niche, standalone utility designed specifically to detect and remove Rootkits, particularly the infamous TDSS (also known as Alureon or TDL) family of malware.

Because it is "Portable," it requires no installation. You download the executable, run it, and let it work. This makes it an invaluable addition to any IT technician’s USB toolkit or a lifeline for a user whose PC has been compromised to the point where they can no longer install new software.

The Scenario: A small accounting firm had one PC running Windows 10. The user complained that Google searches always redirected to Bing (not a setting issue). Malwarebytes and Windows Defender found nothing. The owner was about to reformat the drive.

The Intervention:

Modern attacks often use "fileless" techniques—running malicious code purely in RAM via PowerShell or WMI. Since TDSSKiller focuses heavily on drivers and boot sectors, it may miss a purely memory-resident attack that injects directly into legitimate processes like svchost.exe or explorer.exe.