AVG AntiVirus Free
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To learn more about AVG products and to ask questions and receive answers from AVG company representatives, please visit CNET's dedicated AVG Forum.
To learn more about AVG products and to ask questions and receive answers from AVG company representatives, please visit CNET's dedicated AVG Forum.
AVG Antivirus free is one of the most popular antivirus programs on the market. The company is moving from annual releases to rolling releases: as long as you have a subscription, you'll have the latest version of their software.
Pros
Rolling releases: In the past, buying a copy of AVG would get you regular antivirus updates, but features would not change until you bought the following year's version. Now you can always have the newest version of AVG.
It's free: Although it's release method has changed, you can still get a version that costs no money -- though there are a few strings attached (more on that in the Cons section below).
Modular installation: AVG has separate components that can monitor your desktop email client and your Web browser for threats, and you can choose to not install both of these, if you have other software that covers these bases already.
Cons
Installer gotchas: If you don't intervene by using a "custom" installation, the installer will put you on a 30-day trial of one of the company's paid products instead of installing AVG Antivirus Free. And it will change your Web browser's homepage and default search engine to Bing.com.
PC Analyzer has issues: AVG Antivirus features a PC Analyzer, which checks for registry errors, junk files and broken shortcuts that can be deleted, and disk defragmentation. The problem is, you're not supposed to defrag a solid-state drive, but PC Analyzer did not appear to notice what type of drive it was. The analyzer is also all-or-nothing; you can't skip the defrag or the registry cleaner and just delete junk files and shortcuts, for example.
Bottom Line
According to independent testing labs such as AV-Test and AV-Comparatives, AVG uses a solid antivirus engine. But the hoops you have to jump through in the installer and the technical error in the PC Analyzer have an impact on trust and confidence in the product.
From AVG Technologies USA:AVG AntiVirus FREE for Windows: Essential malware and spyware protection for Windows PCs or tablets.
AVG AntiVirus FREE for Android: The first antivirus app to reach 100 million downloads on Google Play. Also includes Anti-Theft so you can remotely find, lock, or wipe your phone or tablet if it's ever lost or stolen.
AVG AntiVirus for Mac: Real-time malware protection and triple protection against Mac, PC, and Android threats.
AVG AntiVirus FREE is now part of AVG Protection FREE, a single anti-malware package that lets you protect an UNLIMITED number of Windows and Mac computers, as well as Android phones/tablets, from one easy-to-use dashboard. It's also Zen-enabled, which means you can now extend your protection to your entire family and all their devices. All for FREE.
Best of all, this latest version means you'll always be up-to-date with the latest improvements and features because we now push updates to your PC automatically.
AVG Protection FREE includes the following Zen-enabled software for UNLIMITED personal devices, all easily managed from a single dashboard:
What's new in this version:
- Better protection against even the newest malware thanks to cloud-based Real-Time Outbreak Detection and proactive AI Detection
- Automatic push updates
- Windows 10 compatibility
"Always has popups, randomly installs things"
| Version: AVG AntiVirus Free 2016.0.7163
Pros
I didn't get a virus (but didn't get any with any other AV either)
Cons
Constant popups to restart my computer, or install some new crap by AVG. Automatically installed the Chrome extension without my approval, without me asking for it, which is unacceptable. This above all makes me irrationally angry. Trying to uninstall now and it's not even doing that correctly.
Summary
An absolute piece of **** software filled with adware and popups. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.
"What has AVG done?"
| Version: AVG AntiVirus Free 2016.0.7163
Pros
AVG doesn't have any pros anymore.
I would have given 0 stars but the lowest it will let me is .5.
I would have given 0 stars but the lowest it will let me is .5.
Cons
Most importantly, AVG doesn't work with Windows 10. After switching to 10 and installing AVG my whole system crashed and could not boot back up. I had to reset my system and start over. I tried installing AVG before anything to see if it was the problem or if it was something else. It promptly crashed and I had to reset all over again. I have not bothered to try again since I dont feel like resetting everything all over again. Everything else seems irrelevant in lieu of the crashing problem but:
Like everyone else said, AVG is a total resource hog and makes a noticeable and substantial impact on performance. AVG in the past took a decent amount of power to run but did not cause much of a difference in performance. This "Zen" garbage they include now is completely useless. It takes up extra drive space and resources to do nothing. It is just an extra step on the way to the normal update and scan window.
Like everyone else said, AVG is a total resource hog and makes a noticeable and substantial impact on performance. AVG in the past took a decent amount of power to run but did not cause much of a difference in performance. This "Zen" garbage they include now is completely useless. It takes up extra drive space and resources to do nothing. It is just an extra step on the way to the normal update and scan window.
Summary
I was extremely disappointed that after using, relying, and trusting AVG for over 10 years that I can no longer use the program. AVG has destroyed what was once one of the best free and paid anti-virus out there. I feel kind of naked not having the familiar square icon in my task-bar protecting my rig anymore. I hope they make some major changes again but instead of adding garbage, they strip away all the useless bloatware and give us the bare-bones protection AVG used to be.
"Good choice, but a resource hog."
| Version: AVG AntiVirus Free 2016.0.7163
Pros
Detects well. Fairly quick whole computer scan. It's free.
Cons
Resource hog.
Summary
For a free antivirus program, this is pretty darn good. It detects baddies with the best of them. The only problem is that it is a resource hog. If you have a fairly decent computer, it should be fine, but if you have a computer with a fairly weak processor, like a run of the mill netbook, be prepared for things to slow down. I put it on an Acer Aspire V5-122P-0889, which has only a 1Ghz processor ( I didn't pay for this notebook and never would for something so weak, but got it as a freebie from the eMachines class action suit involving floppy drives), and the computer didn't like it, to be blunt. When it was running a scan it was using 92% of the CPU. When only monitoring, it didn't use nearly that much, but it still slowed the system down as a whole, and enough to make me uninstall it and use the Windows defender that came with Windows 10 (it's a seldom used computer, and only for fun when I do, NEVER using it for something involving personal information, so I don't need great protection).
Overall, AVG is great, but again, a resource hog when used with a weak computer.
Overall, AVG is great, but again, a resource hog when used with a weak computer.
"This is adware"
| Version: AVG AntiVirus Free 2016.0.7163
Pros
It has always been great free anti virus software
Cons
It has now itself become adware continually pestering you to buy the full version and hijacking your browser. Even to purchase a separate tune up program that you need like a hole in the head. I have used it for many years and before I retired as a network manager I spent a fortune on the full version for my networks but now this company just can't be trusted. If the AVG are reading this (fat chance) either charge for your product or don't. Don't offer a free product with the intention of tricking or nagging people constantly to buy the paid version. Be Honest !!
"Protection is great"
| Version: AVG AntiVirus Free 2016.0.7163
Pros
Protection is great
Cons
I have found no way to stop the popups advertising upgrades to the paid version. AVG forums tell you to follow the instructions to turn off notifications, which they know doesn't work. Previous versions were satisfied with the free advertisement by satisfied users encouraging small businesses to buy this affordable great protection for their offices. Now they are being warned not to purchase due to the inability to uninstall, and the invasion into all areas of their computers.
Summary
I still use AVG free 2016 at home. I do not recommend it to anyone because I know they will be disappointed in my advise due to the irritating pop ups.
"Do Not Download"
| Version: AVG AntiVirus Free 2016.0.7163
Pros
None that i can think of ATM
Cons
went to delete this junk of a free download and still have residuals of this program on my computer that will not and cant be removed, it acts like its still a anti virus program that i can choose in my computer ,, just over all get Iobit .. have had Iobit for over a year now and not one problem like this dump
"I used to swear by AVG; now I swear at it."
| Version: AVG AntiVirus Free 2016.0.7163
Pros
There's no doubt it works, however...
Cons
...their most recent campaign of aggressive and invasive marketing pop-ups have pushed me over the edge. I expect some sort of "pay back" from a "free" tool, but this tool acts like the sort of virus I'm trying to protect my computer from. The term "un-ethical" comes to mind? Another "un" word has been applied - un-installed.
Summary
I don't believe it! As I write this, I've already un-installed AVG, installed another anti-virus tool, restarted, and I'm still getting AVG pop-ups! Has this mob been bought out by WolksVagen???
"Flawless performance"
| Version: AVG AntiVirus Free 2016.0.7163
Pros
I've used it for years. Pretty good system utility!!!
Cons
Needless to say it did not
"A virus itself"
| Version: AVG AntiVirus Free 2016.0.7163
Pros
It stays on your computer
Cons
It never leaves
Summary
It took a third party program to remove every last trace of this from my computer after dozens of attempts to remove it from the uninstall feature. They even tell you to download ANOTHER program of theirs in order to remove it/troubleshoot uninstalling and THAT doesn't work either. Its a notorious problem with this antivirus. It is basically a virus itself that hides in every crevice and you CANNOT remove it. I do not recommend.... run away.
"This is a great app!"
| Version: AVG AntiVirus Free 2016.0.7163
Pros
There is nothing I can complain about this program
Cons
This software does everything I want it to do
Summary
This is great!
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| What's new in version 2016.0.7163 |
|---|
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| General | |
|---|---|
| Publisher | AVG Technologies USA |
| Publisher web site | http://www.avg.com/ |
| Release Date | October 15, 2015 |
| Date Added | October 15, 2015 |
| Version | 2016.0.7163 |
| Category | |
|---|---|
| Category | Security Software |
| Subcategory | Antivirus Software |
| Operating Systems | |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems | Windows XP/Vista/7/8 |
| Additional Requirements | None |
| Download Information | |
|---|---|
| File Size | 2.76MB |
| File Name | AVG_Protection_Free_1115.exe |
| Popularity | |
|---|---|
| Total Downloads | 559,374,705 |
| Downloads Last Week | 146,446 |
| Pricing | |
|---|---|
| License Model | Free |
| Limitations | Not available |
| Price | Free |
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