The 8 Best Free Antivirus Software of 2024

Protect your Windows computer with a free antivirus program

A good antivirus program is essential to a secure system; you do not have to pay for one to get excellent protection. Below is my hand-picked list of the best free antivirus programs you can download for Windows today.

01
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Kaspersky Free

Kaspersky Free
What We Like
  • Clean user interface that’s easy to understand.

  • Unique features not found in other programs.

  • Protect your email.

  • Lots of options you can customize.

  • Supports idle and scheduled scanning.

  • Extremely simple setup.

What We Don't Like
  • Must create a user account to activate the software.

  • Slow installation.

  • Must renew the free license every year.

Kaspersky Free is a good choice for a simple program with many features. I found it easy to use while testing it, and I like that it offers many advanced options, something you might care to look into.

It’s also helpful if your computer is low on system resources because it can automatically postpone scans and reduce display animations if the CPU runs too high. The program supports idle scans for when you’re away and lets you favor performance over protection by altering the overall security level.

A feature called Self-Defense is included, which blocks all attempts to change or delete Kaspersky’s processes, registry items, and installation files.

During my time examining the program in-depth, I think these are some other details worth mentioning: search for rootkits and can delete malicious tools, adware, auto-dialers, and suspicious packages; password protect the program to protect its settings from being changed or stop it from being uninstalled or shut down; use a file and web scanner as well as Network Attack Blocker, AMSI Protection, Mail Anti-Virus, and Safe Browsing; and enable gaming mode to suppress notifications while using any program in full-screen mode.

I also like these features: auto-pause the scanner when specific applications start up or during certain times of the day; choose what happens when a threat is detected: notify, disinfect, delete if disinfect doesn’t work, or delete; auto-scan external drives or prompt you to scan them when they’re inserted; and schedule quick or full scans as frequently as every minute or at a specified time, or after every update or app startup; choose what gets scanned; skip items if the scan takes too long; speed up antivirus scans by checking only new and changed files; exclude files and folders from scans, and even prevent the scanning of specific threats; see if your email address has been involved in a data leak; and define trusted applications so that they’re not scanned.

It runs on Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7. There’s also an app for Android and iOS that goes by the same name.

02
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Avast Free Antivirus

Avast Free Antivirus in Windows 10
What We Like
  • Add-ons allow you to increase protection.

  • Great customizability.

What We Don't Like
  • Password manager and some other tools included are trial only.

  • Additional features require purchase.

Avast is used by hundreds of millions of people and ranks high in nearly every "best list" of antivirus programs, and for good reason. If you want a solid program that's sure to block new threats but is still easy enough to customize, you should consider using it.

Avast's free AV software works a bit like some of the others in this list; supplemental modules enhance the virus shield and provide additional services related to security and privacy.

The antivirus portion has lots of options you can change, but it's still easy enough for anyone to use since there are information blurbs next to most items, so you're not left wondering what will happen if you enable them.

Plus, both definition and program updates are performed automatically (a manual option is available, too), meaning you can install Avast and let it do its thing without worrying whether you're running the latest and greatest version.

Avast is customizable and lets you make changes to everything from whether to make a sound when threats are detected and how long notifications should remain on the screen, to the kinds of file extensions that should be scanned.

Here are some more features I found noteworthy: scheduled scans, custom scans that can check only the memory, rootkits, auto-start programs, etc., checking all files or just certain file extensions, protecting against ransomware, identifying files by their content instead of their suffix, fine-tuned heuristics sensitivity, scanning for potentially unwanted programs, follows shortcuts to scan the real file, scan archives like self-extracting DOS and Win32 executables and 7Z and RAR, Windows File Explorer context menu integration, exclusions for folders, HDDs, and URLs (but not specific files), custom scans that are easy to save for use in the future, a Rescue Disk utility lets you use the Avast scanner even if you can't start your computer, particular areas of the program can be protected with a password, and Do Not Disturb Mode.

Before Avast is installed, you have the option to include over a dozen different tools: file, behavior, web, and mail shields; software updater, browser cleaner, rescue disk, Wi-Fi inspector, security and SafePrice browser extensions; password manager; junk file cleaner; and Game Mode.

Wi-Fi Inspector scans the network for devices that could be vulnerable to attacks. For instance, it might identify that a computer is running a file sharing service that has been known to facilitate the spread of a certain kind of worm.

You can install these tools (it takes less than five minutes) and then disable or completely remove them later. Or, you can ignore them during setup and just install them later, or not at all.

However, the password manager and Cleanup tools are only trial versions that will expire after a time-limited trial. There's also a firewall, file shredder, and sandbox feature that's unusable in this free version.

Avast Free Antivirus is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7. There's also a version for macOS, Android, and iOS.

03
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Adaware Antivirus Free

Adaware Antivirus Free v14
What We Like
  • Lightweight antivirus program.

  • Can run as a supplement to other antivirus programs.

  • Silent mode mutes notifications and limits resource use.

What We Don't Like
  • Some useful features are only usable with paid version.

  • Limited configurability.

  • Real-time email scanning not included.

Adaware Antivirus installs in minutes, is light on system resources, and can be used in one of two ways. The first is in regular mode where it checks for threats as they happen, but the other lets you use it in addition to your primary antivirus program.

What this so-called "second line of defense" does is disable real-time protection, but still lets you use Adaware Antivirus to manually scan for existing threats. This feature is helpful if your primary AV software doesn't seem to find malware that you know is infecting your computer.

Whichever way you use it, this software provides a defense against ransomware, spyware, viruses, and other forms of malicious software. You can find those threats through a quick, full, or custom scan.

Daily, weekly, and monthly scheduled scans are supported, and you can even run a scan to just check certain things, like only rootkits or just tracking cookies and boot sector viruses, for example.

Adaware Antivirus also lets you choose a custom performance setting to use more system resources to run the scan (to make it faster), exclude files/folders/file extensions from scans, and decide how often to check for new definition updates (e.g., every hour, or once per day).

For real-time protection, you can toggle on or off the following options: scan archive files, scan email databases, deep scan that checks CHM files and executable files, smart scan that skips previously checked files, scan boot sectors, scan files as they move throughout the network, and skip scanning files that exceed a custom file size (e.g., 10 MB to skip video files).

I like that you can also protect the program's settings with a PIN, as well as enable gaming/silent mode to suppress notifications.

Adware Antivirus definitely has its advantages, but because there's also a non-free version you can upgrade to, many additional options are not supported.

For example, parental controls and advanced network, web, and email protection are only available in Adaware Antivirus Pro. These options are visible within the free edition, but they're not actually clickable/usable until you enter a Pro license key.

The official list of compatible operating systems include Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7. I've used it in Windows 11 without any issues.

04
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Avira Free Security

Avira Free Security in Windows 10
What We Like
  • Password manager included.

  • Optional additional downloadable protection layers.

  • In-the-cloud antivirus process.

What We Don't Like
  • Additional features can be annoying.

  • Add-on components often require fee to be fully functional.

The main component in Avira's free software suite that makes it stand out is the optional "in-the-cloud detection" feature called Protection Cloud. This scanning method lets Avira's antivirus tool identify and stop threats before they get out of hand.

This is how it works: When a suspicious file is detected on any computer running Avira, a fingerprint of that specific file is generated and uploaded anonymously to Avira so that they can scan it and report its status (whether it's safe or dangerous) back to every Avira user so that the program can take appropriate action. 

Avira can scan and remove existing threats, as well as automatically detect and stop new ones. It protects you against ransomware, Trojans, spyware, and other kinds of malware. You can even choose which ones to actively watch out for, and disable others (though it's not recommended) like dialers, jokes, adware, etc.

This software can also scan on a schedule, check files with any file extension or just the ones you manually choose from, disable the ability to stop active scans (so that viruses can not stop the program from finding them), adjust the scanner's priority level, scan primary boot sectors, follow symbolic links to scan the actual files, search for rootkits before starting a scan, scan the Windows Registry, ignore files on network drives, automatically repair, rename, quarantine, delete, or ignore threats when they're found, use heuristic scanning, add files, folders, and processes to the ignore list, manage Windows Firewall settings, password protect the program's settings, block autorun on removable devices, and make the hosts file read-only.

This program offers more than just a very extensive antivirus application. It includes several other "layers" of security that will install automatically, and they might take a while to download since there are several. However, you don't have to use them, and they won't bother you unless you open them.

These separate modules include a VPN that encrypts all your traffic (up through the first 500 MB each month), a password manager to securely store complex passwords, and a software updater that identifies outdated programs and gives you the download links to update them. 

In addition, Avira can speed up your computer and reduce boot time with its tune-up tool, help you find the best deals as you shop online, and warn you of malicious websites or software bundles before you download them.

These extra features were a bit annoying to me while using the software, since I was strictly after an antivirus solution. But again, you don't have to use them; just keep them tucked away where they are, and you won't have to worry about them.

Avira Free Security is intended to run on computers with Windows 7 and newer. I reviewed it in Windows 11, but it'll also work with Windows 10/8. There's a version for macOS, too, plus a special Windows XP edition.

05
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AVG AntiVirus Free

AVG AntiVirus Free
What We Like
  • Installs in a few minutes.

  • Choose what to enable during setup.

  • Updates automatically (definitions and the program).

  • You have full control over how things work.

What We Don't Like
  • Shows features you can't enable in the free version.

  • Always advertises AVG Internet Security.

  • Doesn't officially support Windows Vista or XP.

AVG's free antivirus program is easy on the eyes and even easier to use. The scan button is right in the middle of the screen, turning features off is dead-simple, and all the advanced options are available in the settings.

Like most antivirus tools, this one lets you schedule scans, check for threats in archives, remove viruses right when they're found, scan USB drives, exclude files/folders/websites from scans, and run boot-time scans.

AVG AntiVirus Free is highly customizable. You can either install it and leave the settings alone to have regular protection, or go into the settings and make adjustments to nearly anything.

I appreciate the option to choose how to scan files— include only content that might include malware (like executable data), only files that use a file extension considered potentially dangerous (like EXE), or all files regardless of content type or file extension.

You can also enable rootkit detection, hardcore mode, and CyberCapture technology, which helps detect threats in unrecognized files.

During setup, you have full control over which components should be enabled or disabled after AVG is installed. Options include File Shield, Behavior Shield, Web Shield, Email Shield, SafePrice browser extension, File Shredder, Cleanup, and Do Not Disturb Mode.

A file shredder tool is included as well, which you can use from the right-click context menu to overwrite files using a few different data sanitization methods.

Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and XP are the official minimum OS system requirements. It also runs on Mac (10.10 Yosemite and newer), Android, and iOS.

I was asked during setup to also install AVG's web browser, AVG Secure Browser, but it's just a suggestion. Feel free to uncheck that option if you want.

06
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Panda Free Antivirus

Panda Dome in Windows 8
What We Like
  • Light impact on system resources.

  • Minimal, uncomplicated design.

  • Security news about the latest reports of breaches and threats.

What We Don't Like
  • Tries to install another program during setup.

  • Contains advertisements.

Panda Security's free antivirus program installs in minutes and has a minimal design. However, even though it's not a CPU or memory hog, and doesn't appear to be customizable, all of its many options are tucked away in the program's settings.

From there, you can do things like set up both on-demand and automatic scans to check compressed files and scan for potentially unwanted programs.

The automatic, permanent scanner includes some additional options, too, like behavioral and analysis scanning options, the ability to ask you before neutralizing a virus, and blocking files from running for so-many seconds until results on whether it's safe or harmful are obtained from the cloud.

Something entirely unique to Panda Free Antivirus is its security news and alerts sections that can show you critical, warning, and informational messages like when a popular vendor experiences a data breach that could affect your personal information. You can, however, turn those off if you want to.

Something I liked while using it was that I could complete a scan in just a few minutes. It checked only for actively running threats, like browser cookies, processes, and things currently loaded in memory. Of course, there's also an option for a full system scan or a custom scan; I tried both, and they work very much like these other AV programs.

Here are some other things you can do: password protect the entire application, have the quarantine emptied every so often, disable notifications when in full screen, exclude files/folders/extensions from scans, enable USB protection to scan removable devices as they're attached, monitor running processes as well as any URLs accessed by them, record everything in event reports that you can browse through and print or export to a TXT or CSV file, use Panda Safe Web to protect from malicious websites, and use their free VPN for limited daily traffic.

This software does a fantastic job at keeping the important buttons up front and hiding the additional options within menus so that you're not constantly bombarded with options or alerts.

The minimum OS requirement is that you have Windows XP, so it works with Windows 11, 10, 8, etc. There's also an Android antivirus app from this company, and one for macOS, though it's free only during a trial.

07
of 08

COMODO Antivirus

Comodo Antivirus in Windows 10
What We Like
  • User interface can conform to your comfort level.

  • Lots of settings can be customized.

  • Run programs virtually.

  • Automatic updates for the program and virus definitions.

What We Don't Like
  • Settings sometimes don’t save after editing them.

  • Includes other programs and tools you might not want.

  • The software itself is outdated.

COMODO Antivirus excels in a few ways: it can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be depending on your experience level with antivirus tools, it supports cloud-based scans to detect new threats, and the built-in sandbox technology can isolate programs so that they can’t affect your files even if they do turn out to be malicious.

Right after installing this free antivirus program, a scan started on my computer to make sure it was safe. It can also run scans at any time, either quick scans, full scans, scans of commonly infected areas, and custom scans.

A custom scan lets you choose which files or folders to check and enables a host of other customizations like whether to decompress and scan archives, use cloud scanning, automatically delete threats, enable heuristics scanning, check for threats running in memory, skip files over a maximum size, run the scan with full system resources, delete PuPs, and more.

The basic view for the program's settings runs scans, unblock applications, updates the program, and runs software in a virtual mode, while the advanced view reports more details about those areas of the program and displays logs as well as toggles various things like HIPS and VirusScope.

One area I want to focus on is the virtualization feature in COMODO Antivirus. You can run any program you want in a virtual space completely separate from the rest of your files. It’s an opportunity to test out an application to ensure that it’s real and not just a trick to get you to install a virus. Launch programs in this protected container from inside the COMODO program, or by right-clicking an executable file and choosing the option in the menu.

Here are some other features worth mentioning: password protect the program, show a floating desktop widget, hide the upgrade advertisement, choose which archive file types to unpack and scan, enable real-time scanning of files on the network, define heuristics scanning level (low, medium, high), schedule scans as frequently as every hour to as infrequently as once a month, customize the HIPS rules, turn on Silent Mode, force the auto-containment of suspicious or malicious files, and use a unique password for the Virtual Desktop feature.

The program is officially compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.

COMODO's web browser automatically installs during setup, unless you tell it not to. After installation, pay close attention to the options you’re given—you can change your DNS servers to COMODO's (which presumably improve security and speed up browsing), enable Cloud Based Behavior Analysis, send anonymous program usage, and change the home page and default search engine.

08
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ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus

ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus in Windows 10
What We Like
  • Updates automatically.

  • Includes a free firewall.

  • Can run scheduled scans.

What We Don't Like
  • Heavy on system resources.

  • Slow installation.

ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus, also called ZoneAlarm Security and ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall, is just what you think: antivirus software with a firewall tool built-in. You not only have protection against threats like spyware, viruses, Trojan horses, and bots, but there are also firewall shields to block intruders from reaching your computer files.

Here are some other important features in this free antivirus tool: real-time, cloud-based security updates that rely on millions of other users to stop threats quickly; Gamer Mode blocks interruptions while gaming, such as scans, updates, and alerts; you can set all alerts to be automatically denied or allowed; lock down ZoneAlarm's configuration with a password to protect its settings from being changed; back up the program's security settings and restore them later; run quick or full scans on a schedule; a network firewall that can screen every single program with "suspicious behavior" alerts that you have to explicitly allow or deny; and set up notifications for suspicious credit activity.

The advanced firewall is a nice addition that lets you block fragments, trusted servers, and public servers, as well as enable ARP protection, filter IP traffic over port 1394, allow/block VPN protocols, and lock the hosts file.

ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall is said to work on Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 7.

I routinely test these programs to confirm that their features still work, and I'm always on the lookout for additional free virus scanning programs to add to this list. Let us know if you have a suggestion!

If you don't want to install a full antivirus program, there are also several other kinds of free virus and security-related scanning tools we recommend: on-demand virus scanners, spyware removal tools, online virus scanners, and firewall programs. If you can't even log in to your computer to install one of those, there are free bootable antivirus apps instead.

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