Is there such a thing as a good, free antivirus program

[Kaycee]

Hi all,

starting to look around for a decent anti virus program, finding the selection on offer very confusing.

Perhaps there is a tech type person out there with some advice?

I installed AVG last week, had 4 blue screens in 3 days, uninstalled it and no more blue screens.

Running Windows 10 which loses support in October, so probably looking to upgrade 3 yr old PC  and at that stage might look to buy antivirus.

Thanks in advance.

[Jay]

From what I have read in the APC magazine, Windows Defender or whatever it is called this week, is now just as good as anything you may want to pay for
Have tried few free ones, AVG, Avast trouble is you get pestered with notifications to upgrade about 10 times a day, and I too ended up uninstalling them.
Malware Bytes free version, a free and OK from a pestering point of view, not a full suite of antivirus of course.
If paying stay away from McAfee, Kaspersky & Norton
Paying for AVG/Avast (I think they both use the same virus file database) would be my bet if going down that root.

I too will need a new PC, but that will be awaiting until early next year.

[Kaycee]

Many thanks Jay, really appreciate your input.

Interesting, I've seen quite a bit on Windows Defender being up to scratch.
You are so right re AVG/Avast, although the latter not nearly as bad as the former. Also had Norton/Mcaffee as part of PC purchases over the years, hated them.

In an aside, are you aware of https://www.revouninstaller.com/revo-uninstaller-free-download/  I wish I had this years ago for unwanted anti virus programs, it's brilliant. I never uninstall through Control Panel/Programs now, Revo does an excellent job.

Still working with Avast atm, so far so good.

Thanks again, and enjoy your afternoon.

[Jay]

yes I do have revouninstaller

[Minimoke]

I've ran with just Microsoft Defender for years now and not a single problem.

[Umpah]

MacOS?

[Kaycee]

I've ran with just Microsoft Defender for years now and not a single problem.

Thanks Minimoke I have that to work with for now, but will lose it in October with the demise of Window 10. PC is only three years old, so annoying

[Kaycee]

MacOS?

Thanks Umpah might be getting too old to learn a whole new way of computing  :-)

[Jay]

Check Windows Update Kaycee
You might get a free extension for another year, if nothing, wait until after Mid August when all those who will get it should have had the 'Update'
I have had it already and so still get updated until Oct 2026. Not sure how I 'qualified'
My PC is about 7-8 years old and I need to and intend to replace it next year at some stage.