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AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is an anti-virus scanner that offers Resident Protection, e-mail Scanner, On-Demand Scanner, and Virus Vault for safe handling of infected files and automatic updates. The ...

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Oct 31, 2009
For version:
9.0

Requires updating

Interface: 3
Features: 4
Ease of use: 3
Value: 4
Overall:

Nice tool, but requires constant updating, and the newest version 9 is more for Vista, or faster CPU and more RAM, this causes lag in older systems.

Review by: dragons (2)
Read all 2 reviews by dragons

Aug 16, 2009
For version:
8.5

I've since given up on this

Interface: 3
Features: 2
Ease of use: 2
Value: 3
Overall:

Used the program for many years, even recommended it to clients. But no longer. I feel its become far too invasive; from the toolbar it tries to install, to checking what websites you visit (do I really need this functionality duplicated since my browser already does this for me?). A lot of good software tends to get lost once the marketing heads get involved, and I feel this has become more bloatware than anything else.

Review by: boofby (14)
Read all 14 reviews by boofby

Aug 01, 2009
For version:
8.5

Overrated

Interface: 1
Features: 1
Ease of use: 4
Value: 5
Overall:

Lacks anti-rootkit protection that alone makes it a very weak product.

Review by: pugiee
First post

Dec 21, 2008
For version:
8.0.176

Does not bog down your system

Interface: 5
Features: 4
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

Great FREE antivirus program. Does not bog down your system like others with too many bells and whistles. Been using AVG since 2001.

Review by: Davoid (8)
Read all 8 reviews by Davoid

Aug 27, 2008
For version:
8.0

Nope no AVG for me

Interface: 1
Features: 1
Ease of use: 2
Value: 3
Overall:

Why I ask myself do I keep giving this a chance? Slow, false alarms, doesn't detect real threats until you run something that does, ugly interface... my list goes on. Sure, it's better than nothing, you get a FREE edition, but hey, viruses are free too, doesn't mean I want one. Rising needs work but is still better than AVG. It's not worth my time. If some like it, that's ok and their choice, regardless what I think, it's still a choice for people which is the only reason I don't give it a 1. If others like it and it works for them, that's ok too. Just not for me.

Review by: gimpguy (370)
Read all 370 reviews by gimpguy

Aug 25, 2008
For version:
8.0

Enough is enough

Interface: 3
Features: 3
Ease of use: 1
Value: 3
Overall:

Great program for free, but too many false alarms. My wife`s games were always being quarantined. I guess if you don't pay for the software, they ignore you.

Review by: bill_ymr (7)
Read all 7 reviews by bill_ymr

May 27, 2008
For version:
8.0.100a1295

Caution advised on new version 8

Interface: 4
Features: 4
Ease of use: 4
Value: 4
Overall:

I have used AVG Free the past two years. It has worked fine (great?) and there have been no virus incidents. On trying to upgrade from 7.5 to new 8.0, I have one XP machine that can't make the upgrade-on install, keep getting message that there is "another" av or security package running. Numerous messages back and forth to their help forum (which is responsive although all volunteer) has not yielded resolution and no one can find this "other" av. Obviously AVG has been around a while and is a "free" program that gets good grades, but I'd highly recommend BEFORE upgrading or installing fresh, a trip to their Forum and a review of their "stickies." Note that version 7.5 is being phased out 5/31/08, updates though will be provided through Dec 2008-waiting may be a good option. Given that I now cannot install version 8 nor install my "old" version 7.5, I can't recommend the program despite the other ratings I provided.

Review by: mragjr (4)
Read all 4 reviews by mragjr

Apr 24, 2008
For version:
7.5.524.1293

Great

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

This is A Really Great Free Anti-Virus Program. They Now Have A New Version Out Called AVG Free Version 8.This New Version Has The Avg Anti-Spyware Built Right In,Plus It Has A Whole Bunch of New Stuff Built In.For A Great Free Anti Virus Program This One is It.It has Real Time Protection To.

Review by: MouseChaser (23)
Read all 23 reviews by MouseChaser

Sep 20, 2007
For version:
7.5.484a1100

Exceptional

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

This program is amazing! It is the best of all the anti-virus programs. Plus it is free,which is a bonus.

Review by: celticangel (2)
Read all 2 reviews by celticangel

Aug 01, 2007
For version:
7.5.467

Great software for the price

Interface: 4
Features: 4
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

It's free and does not use close to the memory that McAfee and Norton use. I use this on my computers and my clients, and have yet to have any problems.

Review by: dacohenz (3)
Read all 3 reviews by dacohenz

Jun 04, 2007
For version:
7.5.467

Excellent!

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

Does what it says on the label. For a free program it is very good.

Review by: pantherman (15)
Read all 15 reviews by pantherman

May 14, 2007
For version:
7.5.467

Great

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

Running this with windows vista ultimate. no problems, easy install, descent interface, free. i recommend it to others. note i have not ran this with xp or any other os other than vista ultimate.

Review by: jnuts74
First post

Apr 12, 2007
For version:
7.5.446

It's good, but

Interface: 5
Features: 4
Ease of use: 4
Value: 5
Overall:

I've been using various generations of AVG free off and on for some years now and while it's a very good anti virus I have issues with the update system. For cost reasons the updates for the free versions are hosted on cheaper servers than the paid for variant, which is fair enough. But some of the update files are pretty big and the less than ideal connection can be problematic. The scheduled scan is also a bit short on choices, nothing or every day and I don't know many people that run a full scan on a daily basis, so it's a bit of a non choice. My main machines use avast! which I rate highly, but my old W98 machine has been forced to an alternative by the need for license compliance and an easy second on my freebie AV list is AVG.

Review by: Belatucadrus (14)
Read all 14 reviews by Belatucadrus

Feb 14, 2007
For version:
7.5.428

Very good - to a point!

Interface: 3
Features: 2
Ease of use: 3
Value: 5
Overall:

Working in IT, I had the responsibility for evaluating and implementing several Anti Virus / Anti Spyware products. Having previously used one of the major, Enterprise level products both at work and home, I thought I would compare one of the freeware offerings - specifically AVG. And I was quite impressed by the functions and features as well as the capability of the product. My main concern is that the software appears to be very resource hungry - especially at system start up, and also the free version does not allow the daily scan to be disabled. All in all, great as a free product, and despite the restrictions it's become my AV product of choice at home.

Review by: Cheeky_Pete (2)
Read all 2 reviews by Cheeky_Pete

Jan 28, 2007
For version:
7.5.428

Doesnt get any better

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

One of, if not the best free virus detection on the market. Highly recommended. Ease of use with all the default settings already pre-configured

Review by: Doublechecked
First post

Jan 22, 2007
For version:
7.5.428

Works for me and my clients..

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

AVG were the first to bring out a free AV, and they have been much copied. No virus has ever got past AVG Free in my experience. Advantages: Small footprint, taking only 2 MB memory. Easy to learn, with uncluttered interface. Daily updates of the virus definitions. Effective, free virus security. Disadvantages: Sometimes won't install properly on "dirty" systems. Update notification is slightly too obtrusive. Manual update won't find server during peak demand. This is occasional. Wait or hour or just leave it to undate automatically. Trouble free operation has resulted in many of my clients being prescribed AVG Free, even PC averse elderly clients prefer it. Companies use it too, without problems. It has proved worthy of my constant use, (I dropped Norton AV like a hot potato when it started failing before the millenium). Use with Windows Defender (ant-spyware) for total peace of mind. Highly recommended.

Review by: james__uk
First post

Jan 09, 2007
For version:
7.5.428

The best AV software out there!!!

Interface: 4
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I have worked in I.T. for over 15 years, and for most of those years I was a die hard fan of the industry's most popular commercial AV software. Over the last two or three years I've become progressively disappointed with each year's new release. It takes up too many system resources, is buggy, and has annoying "product activation." As a result I started looking at numerous alternative anti virus programs -- both free and commercial. I tried four of the best known free AV products, and three commercial ones. After I installed AVG I was surprised to learn it found a Trojan that the none of the other AV products found even with the latest defs. AVG also takes up the least amount of system resources of any AV product I've used. Most of my friends and relatives now use AVG as well, and have had similar experiences. Today I run AVG on every PC in my home. With AVG being available for free there is no reason to buy anti virus software anymore.

Review by: TaBaScO (4)
Read all 4 reviews by TaBaScO

Dec 18, 2006
For version:
7.5.428

Wow, really does work wonders !!!

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I have an older machine that has windows 98 on it and one day it started to get the (blue screen of "death") and tried to figure out how to fix the problem but not knowing exactly what the cause of the problem was makes it difficult to figure out what to do. So I had tried a few name brand virus programs, and none of them had taken and picked anything up out of the ordinary. Then I saw AVG's free edition on snapfiles.com, and was reading the reviews from other users and thought that i'd give it a shot. Nothing else worked so what could the harm do. And was totally impressed with the outcome installed it on all my machines now. Fantastic Program keep up the great work All I can say is the program works wonders so take and download this one today you won't be disappointed. Thanks to the developers for a "Fantastic Program" . Avg is the only virus program that worked for me in detecting viruses that the name brands didn't.

Review by: webexpressions (35)
Read all 35 reviews by webexpressions

Dec 07, 2006
For version:
7.5.428

Good and fast

Interface: 3
Features: 3
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I've used AVG for over a year on several computers at my house. It's solid, reliable and fast. Several of my computers are older computers and slow, so I was reluctant to add and AV program that might slow them down even more. After installing AVG I did not notice any slow down. Reference to the other AV programs in other reviews are -vastly- slower. Yeah, the interface could use some work, but if you want a fast, solid and free AV, then look no further than AVG.

Review by: ChrisWalker (3)
Read all 3 reviews by ChrisWalker

Nov 19, 2006
For version:
7.5.428

AVG is still king

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

My nephew gave me his new Dell laptop (running XP) to look at as it kept getting the Blue Screen Of Death. A quick inspection showed although his McAfee suite was up to date a virus had got in and switched it off! I couldnt re-activate the McAfee so I took it off and ran Stinger and Sysclean from Safe Mode. After that I put on Avast! and although that cleared up most of the machine there were 3 infected items it could not delete. So, I took off Avast! and installed AVG Free. The first scan found 50 more infected items that had been missed by the other softwares. Apart from a corrupted IE left by the infections (now using Firefox) the laptop is back to normal and no longer trying to spam the universe! Setting up is easier than tying your shoe laces and the protection is bullet proof , Ive been using AVG successfully on my own PC for years now with never a problem, even though my PC is permanently online, and best of all AVGs free!

Review by: GsyMoo (2)
Read all 2 reviews by GsyMoo

Nov 14, 2006
For version:
7.5.428

A very good program, but....

Interface: 4
Features: 3
Ease of use: 2
Value: 3
Overall:

Having uninstalled my AV program and wanting to support Freeware distribution I chose AVG finding it a disappointing experience. It only scans infectable files which on my PC was only 13,336 files. My previous AV program a certai-N commercial product would regularly scan iro 39,000 files, quite a difference! I found AVG's scanning of 'In'/'Out' e-mails lacking as it proved intermittent and unreliable even though the settings were correct. The AV definition update 'splash' screen arriving 'wham' right in my face was alarming and rather irritating when trying to work. Surely, this could be done in the background, with a much smaller notification when the update is complete? Even for the free version I thought the features were somewhat limited. I know when writing a review direct reference should not be made to other programs, so all I can say is, the AV program I have installed on my PC, now, is a vast improvement on AVG! ;-)

Review by: Dragon10 (40)
Read all 40 reviews by Dragon10

Nov 13, 2006
For version:
7.5.428

Seems promising

Interface: 4
Features: 4
Ease of use: 4
Value: 3
Overall:

I have started using this application on a trial basis this week, and it picked up a high risk trojan which was missed by my antiVirus security suite and another Real-Time antiSpyware application - Spyware Terminator. To be fair, it is unwise to use 2 Real-Time antiSpyware applications at the same time as there is a risk they may undermine each other's effectiveness in exactly the same way as 2 antivirus programmes used together may do. Nevertheless, AVG's antiSpyware programme is probably as good a contender for getting results as several others.

Review by: prettyface (16)
Read all 16 reviews by prettyface

Nov 11, 2006
For version:
7.5.428

Surprising good for a free virus scanner

Interface: 4
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I have tried a lot of commercial virus software products and I did find one I liked, though I won't name it (starts with a "K")... And while I like my commercial selection, I did not want to buy two licenses. I put AVG free on my wifes PC and did not pay much attention to it. I then started having nagging issues (browsing slowdowns and sites not loading) with my commercial selection and I started looking at AVG after the latest update. Needless to say I was quite impressed and quickly installed it on my system. It's not as polished as my commercial product, but I think it is a great choice for most people behind a NAT router and are generally cautious with things the download and launch, etc. I am very happy with it and may keep this installed even after my commercial product addresses the issues in their service release.

Review by: SithTracy (18)
Read all 18 reviews by SithTracy

Sep 29, 2006
For version:
7.1.394

Good but not the best.

Interface: 3
Features: 2
Ease of use: 3
Value: 5
Overall:

AVG is on par with most major anti-virus packages. It's fairly easy to setup and has a robust set of features for free software. However, it does hog system resources and its detection success isn't extremely good.

Review by: ShockTroop (4)
Read all 4 reviews by ShockTroop

Sep 21, 2006
For version:
7.1.394

Appears on screen disrupting work. crashes.

Interface: 4
Features: 4
Ease of use: 2
Value: 3
Overall:

AVG is very good at detecting viruses. We all appreciate that it is also free for consumer use. However, it is distracting to have constant and frequent update reminders right in the middle of the screen while working on a project. You have to click on it to get it to leave and then it may activate the "blue screen of death" crashing your computer losing all of your work. It caused the same problems on both of the computers it was tried on. I had to uninstall AVG.

Review by: GetReal
First post

Aug 27, 2006
For version:
7.1.394

The best I`ve used

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I like many have had problems with NortonSymantec and I also tried Avast and the one Cox Cable provides. I've been on the AVG bandwagon for a couple of years. Absolutely No Problems whatsoever with it.

Review by: Dave_in_Roanoke (2)
Read all 2 reviews by Dave_in_Roanoke

Aug 13, 2006
For version:
7.1.394

Just plain excellent

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

All I can say is, excellent. This software package has helped me greatly and has helped out my clients! I recommend this to everyone I know! Very nice! Norton who?

Review by: hrwasp (56)
Read all 56 reviews by hrwasp

Aug 10, 2006
For version:
7.1.394

James

Interface: 4
Features: 4
Ease of use: 3
Value: 5
Overall:

This is a very good program to use and is fairly easy to use. This is my second choice but buy all means not the last. It is free and does the job very well. It is easy to update and that is always a big plus.

Review by: james5 (7)
Read all 7 reviews by james5

Jul 30, 2006
For version:
7.1.394

Great software

Interface: 3
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I have used this software on several computers for friends/family who are low-end users with minimal knowledge. The auto updates and scans work beautifully and are near-maintenance-free.

Review by: gregor303 (6)
Read all 6 reviews by gregor303

Jul 25, 2006
For version:
7.1.394

Best free anti-virus there is

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

AVG is the best free anti-virus there is. When ever I work on computers for people I always install AVG free anti-virus. Most people go with out any kind of anti-virus.

Review by: Eonasdan (8)
Read all 8 reviews by Eonasdan

Jun 28, 2006
For version:
7.1.394

Deleting worms and trojans

Interface: 3
Features: 3
Ease of use: 3
Value: 3
Overall:

AVG is a good program, with ONE failing. If you put it on a computer already infected with Virues, Worms, etc; it will only attempt to heal infected files, not delete Worms, and Trojans. As a Blocking program it is good, but for cleaning an infected system, NO. Regards Mick

Review by: magnetic56 (6)
Read all 6 reviews by magnetic56

Jun 21, 2006
For version:
7.1.394

Outstanding

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

AVG is updated regularly and works flawlessly. I've used it for several years and highly recommend it. For most users, the basic freeware version works so well you wouldn't think it's limited in any way. This is top notch freeware and it doesn't get any better than this.

Review by: TerryP (61)
Read all 61 reviews by TerryP

Jun 20, 2006
For version:
7.1.394

Best free antivirus

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I am in the IT industry and have used all AV programs that are out there. AVG is as good (if not better) than any commercial antivirus out there. All of my collegues in the IT industry use AVG and claim it actually finds and removes viruses other AV programs can't. I would highly recommend this product. VD files are updated and available every day. And best of all, this program is FREE.

Review by: bobble (6)
Read all 6 reviews by bobble

Apr 29, 2006
For version:
7.1.385

The best free antivirus!!!

Interface: 3
Features: 5
Ease of use: 4
Value: 5
Overall:

I have used many high-rated A/V for months...They worked very good...Before a month i installed AVG and i did a full system scan.It found 4Trojans that the others haven't find...If you don't want to spent your money in buying A/V then AVG is perfect for you...It detects many viruses and it uses low resources without slowing your machine...You wil love it...I have tried other free A/V programms like AVAST but AVG is much better...Try it and you will see it by yourself :)

Review by: BJ_Ge0rgE (4)
Read all 4 reviews by BJ_Ge0rgE

Apr 26, 2006
For version:
7.1.385

One of the best free anti-virus programs!

Interface: 4
Features: 5
Ease of use: 4
Value: 5
Overall:

While the free version has some limitations- only one automatic daily update, one scheduled scan, no technical support (although the forums are a good source of support), I was quite impressed by the wide variety of features. The only reason why I think that the "ease of use" doesn't get an "excellent" rating is because configuring the additional e-mail scanning plug-in's is a little complicated. Definitely worth downloading!

Review by: reviewer2006
First post

Feb 26, 2004
For version:
NA

A Keeper

Interface: 0
Features: 0
Ease of use: 0
Value: 0
Overall:

Stop waisting your money, and download this great little program. Along with your common sense, you will be well protected.

Review by: Leppod (4)
Read all 4 reviews by Leppod

Feb 26, 2004
For version:
NA

Great program

Interface: 0
Features: 0
Ease of use: 0
Value: 0
Overall:

After growing tired of paying $40 per year for a commercial AV programs, I tried AVG Free. It works very well inluding e-mail scans. I ve been using it for over a year now without any problems.

Review by: Vandulus (7)
Read all 7 reviews by Vandulus