Installing an anti-virus or security software, after installing Windows is a must. This helps protect our Windows computer from viruses and other security threats. It is also important to keep your security software up to date at all times! While the built-in Windows Defender in Windows 11 and Windows 10 does a great job, some of you may want to opt for a third-party free antivirus software instead. Here are some very nice best free antivirus software available for Windows 11/10 you might want to check out.
Free antivirus software does work to protect against many known viruses; however, it might not be as comprehensive as paid versions. Users can expect basic defense mechanisms, but for advanced protection, including real-time defense against new threats and additional features, a paid antivirus is recommended for optimal security.
Free AntiVirus software for Windows 11/10
I have included only those antivirus programs which offer full real-time protection, and are not just stand-alone scanners:
- Windows Defender
- Kaspersky Free Antivirus
- Avira AntiVir Personal
- Avast Antivirus Free
- Comodo Antivirus Free
- Bitdefender Free Antivirus Edition
- ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall
- Panda Free Antivirus
- AVG Anti-Virus
- Sophos Home Free Antivirus
- ClamAV.
1. Windows Defender
Windows Defender is Microsoft’s free antivirus offering to users of genuine Windows 11/10/8/7. It is specifically designed for individual consumer PC use using the smallest resource footprint possible to provide complete anti-malware protection and will include a new protection technology, as part of the Microsoft anti-malware engine, called Dynamic Signature Service (DSS).
2. Kaspersky Free Antivirus
Kaspersky Free Antivirus offers powerful anti-malware protection for Windows users like file, email and web antivirus, automatic updates, self-defense, quarantine, etc.; and will not include advanced security features. It includes a Real-time Shield.
Read: EDR vs Antivirus: Which is better and why?
3. Avira AntiVir Personal
Avira AntiVir Personal offers you basic protection & protects your computer against dangerous viruses, worms, Trojans, and costly dialers.
4. Avast AntiVirus
Avast! Free Antivirus is perfect for people who send e-mails and surf popular websites. Its Antivirus and anti-spyware engine provides reliable protection against viruses, spyware, rootkits, trojans, and other forms of malicious software.
Read: Crystal Security is a free cloud based Anti-Malware for Windows PC
5. Comodo Antivirus Free
Comodo Antivirus Free offers an Antivirus scanner, a quarantine, a Sandbox operating environment, and a Task Manager. Its fast cloud-based scanning gives you a list of infected files in real time.
Read: CatchPulse free AI-powered antimalware protection for Windows
6. Bitdefender Free Antivirus Edition
Bitdefender Free Antivirus Edition uses one of the world’s most effective antivirus engines, ICSA Labs certified scanning engines found in other BitDefender products for free. This allows you to enjoy basic virus protection for no cost at all. It includes a Real-time Shield. UPDATE: Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition is to be retired soon.
Other free antivirus software:
- ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall
- Panda Free Antivirus
- AVG Anti-Virus
- Sophos Home Free Antivirus
- NANO Antivirus
- ClamAV antivirus.
Free antivirus that do not have to be installed
If you want to take a second opinion, you can use any one of these free Standalone On-demand Antivirus Scanners. The post lists free on-demand, second-opinion antivirus scanners that you can use. Some of them are standalone, while some of them, you may need to install. Let us have a look at the standalone virus scanners first.
Free Online Virus Scans
Most of these free Online Malware Scanners will not ask you to install anything on your computer. You can upload the file on their website, and they will scan the file using API of different anti-malware services. Once the scan is completed, you will receive a report about it.
Free Cloud Antivirus tools
These Free Cloud-based Antivirus may also interest you. A cloud-based antivirus software does not store the virus definitions on your Windows computer. Rather than using your computer’s processing power, this cloud-based antivirus sends data about potentially malicious files to the company’s servers for analysis.
Apart from these freeware if you’d like to suggest any more freeware antivirus software, do share below.
Go here if you are looking for free Internet Security Suites or free firewall software for your Windows 11/10/8/7 computer.
