Member Avatar for Anpippin

Hey, my Windows Live OneCare trial just expired, and I don't wanna pay to keep using it, and I was wondering what is the best free Anti-Virus program I can download for Windows???

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by caperjack

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A short, practical add‑on for readers who land here later: the thread correctly captures two reasonable positions — pay for a full suite (peace of mind) or use a free product (cost savings). The best choice is evidence‑based: pick a vendor that scores well in independent lab tests, fits the machine’s resources, and provides automatic updates and easy removal/cleanup tools. (av-comparatives.org)

Checklist for choosing and switching

  • Prefer products with strong real‑world and performance results from independent labs. (av-comparatives.org)
  • Ensure the product offers automatic definition updates and real‑time protection.
  • Check whether the vendor supplies an uninstall/cleanup tool (useful when leaving a previous suite).
  • Verify compatibility with the computer’s OS and available memory/CPU so scans don’t grind the system to a halt. (av-comparatives.org)

Safe workflow to change protection (keeps data and stability intact)

  1. Make a backup and create a system restore point before removing or installing security software. (support.microsoft.com)
  2. Uninstall the expired suite cleanly from Programs and Features, then reboot. Microsoft recommends removing previous security software before installing a new real‑time solution. (support.microsoft.com)
  3. Run an on‑demand scanner / cleanup tool (these run only when invoked and can coexist with real‑time AV).
  4. Install the chosen product, update definitions immediately, then run a full scan.

Cautions and good practice

  • Avoid running more than one real‑time antivirus at once; it can cause conflicts, instability, and slowdowns — remove the old one before enabling a new real‑time product. (asus.com)
  • Watch independent performance tests when uptime/feel is important; lightweight protection matters on older machines. (av-comparatives.org)
  • Keep Windows and applications patched, schedule regular full scans, and keep offline backups — layered hygiene reduces the chance of a single failure ruining the PC. (support.microsoft.com)

Note: the original question references a OneCare trial; Microsoft discontinued that consumer subscription in 2009 and subsequently offered a free consumer antimalware option, so readers seeing this thread years later may prefer a modern, actively maintained product. (en.wikipedia.org)

Recommended Answers

All 11 Replies

Member Avatar for russey123

There is no "good" free virus scan. You should pay for a virus scan. You have to think you spend around 600 bucks on a new computer and a virus scan is around 20-50 bucks a year that can save a computer. Its worth paying for one than have a virus eat your pc up. I use PC security shield. Its one of the best virus scans out there i got it for 20 bucks you can get it from pc security shields website or search for it on pc magazine thats how i got it for 20.

Member Avatar for Stefano Mtangoo

I use Avast, and have not let me down

Member Avatar for Xlphos

There is no "good" free virus scan. You should pay for a virus scan. You have to think you spend around 600 bucks on a new computer and a virus scan is around 20-50 bucks a year that can save a computer. Its worth paying for one than have a virus eat your pc up. I use PC security shield. Its one of the best virus scans out there i got it for 20 bucks you can get it from pc security shields website or search for it on pc magazine thats how i got it for 20.

I disagree I think that there is nothing wrong with free virus scanners I have used AVG and Comodo, I have never have had a virus problem. I don't know about Avast I have never used it but many people think it is pretty good.

I you want to think about it a bit more why not download a free trial of a paid for product like norton, or mcafee. I cycled through a few trial until I decided to use a free anti-virus.

Personnaly I hate paying for software especially if their is a similar free one around.

I would say either get a free one or download a free trial for a paid version then get it if you like it.

- Hope this helps.

Member Avatar for Stefano Mtangoo

These are pretty good freeware:
Avira Antivir personal
Avast home
AVG free
Any of it, any! But I use avast as I said

Member Avatar for jwreid16

Hey, my Windows Live OneCare trial just expired, and I don't wanna pay to keep using it, and I was wondering what is the best free Anti-Virus program I can download for Windows???

The one I used in the past (temporarily) was AVG. Take my advice and buy a decent virus scanner. As the saying goes, you get nothing in life for free.

Member Avatar for caperjack

if you want better coverage [and be tormented with popups are you sure you want to do this or that or both ]you will need to buy one in my opinion, if you want one that offers this all in one program ,anti virus, real time spyware and adware protection, personal firewall

Member Avatar for Nick Evan

f you want one that offers this all in one program ,anti virus, real time spyware and adware protection, personal firewall

The new avg (8.5) has most of this, but it has slown my computer down enormously.

[little off-topic]
Anyone else have this issue or is it just time to format my HD (again)?

Member Avatar for Godsp3ed

The new avg (8.5) has most of this, but it has slown my computer down enormously.

[little off-topic]
Anyone else have this issue or is it just time to format my HD (again)?

AVG is known to slow down most users' computers, try Avast or Avira, comparatively faster but not as good as AVG, almost close.

Member Avatar for caperjack

The new avg (8.5) has most of this, but it has slown my computer down enormously.

[little off-topic]
Anyone else have this issue or is it just time to format my HD (again)?

that why people are switching to avast and avira ,any all inone security will slow things down ,as it working harder ,sort of!

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