Best free AV software

Technology Technology: Questions / Help
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I downloaded mine …just type Windows Defender in your address bar and there it is :+1:

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Yes I’ve heard you should always delete all previous AV software before installing new. I hadn’t realised this was the reason, so thanks for that!

Thanks for all that info Gee. I have to admit I used to regularly defrag, but haven’t done it for quite a while :see_no_evil:
I wish I even knew how to go about wiping the free space and shredding anything I deleted, but I don’t have a clue :woman_facepalming:

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Thanks @wishbone, I shall give that a go.

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Windows Defender (as such) no longer exists - Windows Defender Antivirus is a component of Windows Security.

If you’re running Windows 10 on your PC, then your antivirus, firewall, etc. are controlled via Windows Settings/Update & Security/Windows Security

Stay protected with Windows Security

Windows 10 and 11 include Windows Security, which provides the latest antivirus protection. Your device will be actively protected from the moment you start Windows. Windows Security continually scans for malware (malicious software), viruses, and security threats. In addition to this real-time protection, updates are downloaded automatically to help keep your device safe and protect it from threats.

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25

I run Windows 7 so I had to download it first

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26

I’m running Windows 8, so I guess I’ll have to download it.

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27

IIRC, Windows Defender was built into Windows 8, so it’s probably just turned off.

Perhaps a kind FM, familiar with Windows 8, will take you through the activation procedure … :slightly_smiling_face:

This appears to be the procedure but confirmation of its’ recommended actions would be preferable.

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Thank you @Omah, that’s really helpful.

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@Omah you were right, it was built in to Windows 8. I found it and activated it, made sure it’s running real time scans, no problem. What I don’t understand though is ever since I activated it, about 10 days ago or so, I regularly get pops up from Windows Defender telling me my device may be at risk and I should install Norton AV. Erm… :017:

I’ve also in the last 2 or 3 days had this pop up several times. I mean, honestly, it is bound to be a scam, but Windows Defender is sending the notification. I honestly don’t understand what’s happening here. I thought Defender would “defend” my device, not actually notify me of something that is clearly a scam :102:

Tesco £1000 voucher

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30

As well as a real-time scan, it will be worth running regular manual scans, as detailed in this article:

It may be that a website has detected Windows Defender running and installed adware - your next step should be to download Malwarebytes Free and run that on your PC - it’s a good piece of software to run regularly, anyway:

:+1:

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Thanks Omah. I’ve just downloaded Malwarebytes, but it appears it’s only a 14 day free trial, and is £2.50 a month thereafter :frowning_face:

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There is a free version available. I’ve been using the free version for longer than I can remember.

Free antivirus | Download Malwarebytes free

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Same here … thanks for the link … :+1:

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34

Ah thanks LD and Omah :023:

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35

I think I mentioned earlier my bank gives me Malwarebytes Premium free of charge. My laptop is scanned every night and a popup message appears every morning with the result of the scan.

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I was too busy to do this yesterday, but have just used this link to get the ‘free’ download, and found it takes me to the exact same page as the original link @Omah posted. It’s a 14 day free trial only, with a monthly fee thereafter.

EDIT: I’ve just dug a little more and apparently they call it a 14 day trial, because when you download the free version you get all the features of the premium version for 14 days. So I’m guessing that if you do nothing about updating, you can continue to use the free version without those extra features.

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If you dig deeper, there is usually a choice box where the free version can be selected.

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Cross posted with my edit to my last post!

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39

It’s all getting ridiculous. So I’ve successfully downloaded Malwarebytes and scheduled the scans. But now Windows Defender has been turned off. The message I get isn’t helpful at all - ‘Check that app’s status’? And do what? Honestly, I just feel like giving up now and going back to McAfee.

defender

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I expect its the Malwarebytes that has turned WD off and once the free trial period is over, you will be able to turn it back on again. Many AV programmes turn WD off and that’s prolly what has happened.