Are you looking for a free security suite for Windows 11/10, that can protect your PC from scammers, hackers, and other threat actors, Avira Free Security could be one. Today’s digital world is full of threats that come in the form of programs, emails, messages, clickbait links, etc. Protecting our PC from these innumerable threats and not falling prey to malware and ransomware. Though Windows 11/10 comes with Windows Security, it would alone be not enough at times. In this guide, we show you how to use Avira Free Security Suite for Windows 11/10 PC.
Today, the world of digital media is not safe! Be it the Internet or offline media storage. If you stumble upon some malicious data on the Internet or media storage devices like USB, DVD, etc., your PC can get affected by deadly viruses. To save your PC from harmful virus and Trojan attacks, it is important to have a good antivirus or an Internet Security Suite installed on your PC. Windows Defender comes pre-installed on Windows PCs, but most users want feature-rich security software. If you are looking for one, take a look at Avira Free Security Suite.
Avira Free Security Suite for Windows 11/10 PC
Avira is a well-known and trusted brand for device security and optimization programs. It has antivirus programs ranging from Windows PCs to Android mobiles. For our Windows 11/10 PCs, they have the Avira Free Security program, which we can download, install, and use for free on our PCs to protect them from threats.
Features of Avira Free Security
We don’t know where the threats on our PCs can come from. We need to be alert regarding the software we install, links we click, and devices we connect. Instead of being vigilant always and wary of new programs and device connections, the security features on Avira Free Security help you protect your PC from all external threats as well as internal threats. It can even warn you regarding the use of weak passwords for your accounts, as well as notify you of outdated programs installed on your PC. The security feature on Avira Free Security makes sure you browse the internet, bank, shop, game, and do whatever you like on your PC without any fear of malware, as Avira protects you from them. Avira Free Security comes with the following features.
1] Security
The security feature comes with the following sub-features:
- Virus scans – Full scan (Scan your entire system), Quick scan (Scan the vulnerable areas of your device), and options to schedule scans using Manage Scans
- Protection options – Real-time protection. Web protection and Ransomware protection are available with Avira Prime subscription only.
- Quarantine – Files that are flagged as potential risks are moved to Quarantine. They are not seen or can be used in your PC’s folders.
- Software updater – This feature helps you find outdated software on your PC to get rid of potential security risks by updating them.
- Firewall – Protects you from unwanted network traffic by blocking untrusted apps from connecting to the internet, stopping intruders from accessing your data.
2] Privacy
The privacy features available on Avira Free Security are:
- VPN – Available in limited countries to protect your browsing activity.
- Passwords – Warns you of your weak and compromised passwords if you use Avira Password Manager to store and manage your passwords.
- File shredder – The files we delete on our PCs are recoverable if we use powerful data recovery software. If you delete files using the File shredder feature on Avira Free Security, they are securely deleted forever and cannot be recovered.
- Privacy settings – Guide your PC settings that might compromise your device privacy and give recommendations on them.
- Secure Browser – It is a feature that downloads Avira Secure Browser and blocks web-based malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks with several privacy and security features.
3] Performance
These features optimize your PC and improve its performance. They are:
- Optimizer – It removes unnecessary files, cleans cookies, and fixes broken registry entries to make your PC faster
- Battery saver – It opens Avira System Speedup tools where you can change power modes, improve power modes, and check battery health.
- Driver updater – Though Windows updates automatically update drivers, Avira too has a feature to update drivers.
- Duplicate finder – Finds the duplicate files on your PC and deletes them to save space.
- Advanced tools – It also opens Avira System Speedup tools where you can find all the features to speed up your system if you have Avira System Speedup Pro.
- Game booster – It is available for only Avira Prime users to improve gaming performance.
How to use Avira Free Security on Windows 11/10 PC
To use Avira Free Security on a Windows 11/10 PC, you need to download the program from Avira and install it on your PC. After the installation, open the Avira Free Security and scan your PC for any threats. Regularly perform a Full scan in the Security feature to protect your PC.
Note: Some features of Avira Free Security need additional installation which are installed automatically. The program even adds two Avira extensions to all the web browsers installed on your PC. You may opt to remove them or install them and see how they work.
Conclusion
Avira Free Security would be a good choice for a free antivirus program along with Windows Security. The features available in the free version are enough to protect your PC from malware that comes through external devices and programs. Web protection and ransomware protection are available only on the premium subscription where we need to be careful if we do not want to take the subscription. To protect your PC from basic threats that occur daily, Avira Free Security is enough. If you think the basic protective features are not enough, you may opt for Avira Prime by paying the subscription. Before buying the subscription, experience all the features using the free trial option which will be shown in the program itself.
Is Avira compatible with Windows 11?
Yes, Avira Free Security and other Avira programs are compatible with Windows 11 as they are regularly updated with the changing Windows environment. Windows 11 or Windows 10, is no different to Avira Free Security, as it protects threats on your devices that come in any form.
Is there a free antivirus for Windows 11?
Yes, there are many free antivirus programs available for Windows 11. Some of them are Avira Free Security, Dr. WEB CureIt, Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool, Normal Malware Cleaner, Metascan Client, Sophos Virus Removal tool, etc.
Related read: Avira PC Cleaner: Free second-opinion antivirus scanner.
It is really a good antivirus, among the free ones, which has better performance and rate of detection of threats.
But since the options to change the “action on detection” for “real time protection” have been removed, I had to abandon and adopt another antivirus. Here, all false-positives were moved to quarantine automatically, when I preferred to be asked what action would be taken.
@Andrey. Thanks for the the info regarding changes to the “action on detection” with Avira free. Out of curiosity what is the A/V that have you opted for? I’m on the lookout for something lighter for my laptop. Windows 10 Defender is ok; just interested in alternative a/v’s more suitable for a fairly run-of-the-mill laptop!
Ziggy: Have you considered pairing up Windows Defender with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (free version)? It’s what I’m running on my Windows 10 desktop (though actually using the commercial “paid” version of MBAM). Unless you have wreckless Internet habits Windows Defender and Malwarebytes is probably all you need, I used to run one of the major security suites that became incredibly bloated over time and once it started causing BSODs I chucked it for Defender. Less is more when it comes to AV software.
@Rob. Thanks for your reply, Rob. “Wreckless internet habits” – that’s a hoot (lol) – I pretty much stick to well known/safe sites, except for the occasional downloads which I get checked by Virus Total. I’ll give your suggestion a try but, if my aging memory serves me right, when I used it in the past it took forever to scan, especially on said “run-of-the-mill” laptop. Nonetheless, I really appreciate your suggestion and will definitely give it another go.
I have always been a big fan of Avira. The problem with nowdays antivirus software is that they tend to use a great deal of your CPU resources making it sometimes a threat by itself.
For an advanced user the Defender that comes with the Win OS and some antimalware to deal with accidental hiccups is more than enough.
Hi @disqus_756CZGbkz8:disqus , For now, I am testing Avast and it has worked out fine. My desktop is an 8-year-old Core2Quad, 8GB of DDR2 and SSD SATA2.
On my netbook, a second-generation Atom with 2GB DDR2, I still use Avira because of performance, and I also do not care if the files stored on it are quarantined automatically.
Ziggy: The paid version of MBAM has real-time protection which reduces the need for scans (which are admittedly slow-ish). My experience with Windows 10 so far has taught me that keeping your software suite as simple as possible will save you headaches and it doesn’t get any simpler than Windows Defender. Windows 10 is still experiencing growing pains along with the AV vendors who are trying to support it.
@Rob: Thanks Rob. You’ve given me some food for thought. I’m going to try the free trial and see how I go…
@Andrey: Thanks for your suggestion, Andrey. Your specs are almost identical to my rig – only difference is that I have 4GB of DDR2 Memory. More food for thought! Your help is also much appreciated.