To prepare computing devices (e.g., running Windows NT-based operating systems) for offline scanning, without the need for removable media, such as CDs and USB devices, and for users to modify the BIOS settings, parameters regarding a protected-mode operating system and the computing device are collected and verified while the protected-mode operating system is running on the computing device. A kernel of an alternate operating system (e.g., a Linux operating system) can be mapped to the memory of the device, shutdown of the protected-mode operating system can be initiated, a system environment for the alternate operating system kernel can be prepared, and control of the computing device can be transferred or passed to the alternate operating system kernel.