- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows 2000/XP/Vista
- Date added: January 29, 2008
- Total Downloads: 3,036,627
- Downloads last week: 5,611
- See full specifications
A newer version of PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 397 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
This novice-friendly freeware antivirus tool still expects a certain level of sophistication from its users. PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition's interface presents a minimum amount of buttons to control the application.
Checking your PC status, scanning for viruses, and switching on or off real-time protection are all a matter of clicking a single button. Scan speed and memory requirements are average for applications in this genre. Basic full-scan scheduling is easy to set. The virus database appears comprehensive, and the program automatically downloads updates.
This is the freeware version of the publisher's antivirus tool, but the differences are minor. Updates are downloaded from a slower server with this version, but not so slow as to cause user irritation. E-mail message tagging options are not configurable. E-mail and phone support isn't available.
Our big concern is the very basic Help function. Novice users will find it tough to navigate. Intermediate users will wish for better information before tackling any configuration changes. Nonetheless, users looking for an antivirus tool that can be set with default protection and that updates silently will be happy with this freeware.
Publisher's description
From PC Tools :PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition protects you against the most nefarious cyber-threats attempting to gain access to your PC and personal details. Going online without protection against the latest fast-spreading viruses, worms and Trojans can result in infections within minutes. Once infected, the virus will usually attempt to spread itself to your friends, family and associates by accessing your e-mail contacts and networked PCs. The infection may also allow hackers to access files on your PC, use it to launch attacks against other computers and Websites or to send mass spam email. That's why PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition provides protection, with rapid database updates, OnGuard real-time file, Internet & e-mail protection and comprehensive system scanning to ensure your system remains safe and virus free.
Version 4.0 features new improved scan engine, smaller memory footprint and much improved system performance.
What's new in this version:
Version 4.0 features new improved scan engine, smaller memory footprint and much improved system performance.
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User reviews of PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition 4.0
- Average user rating: 3.1 stars out of 397 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 80 user reviewsSee all 80 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition 4.0
Pros: as malware protection now
Cons: ram is use alot
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12 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition 4.0
Pros: I think this is better than AVG. It has a cooler interface and seems to work better.
Whatever you do, don't download Avast.
Cons: Its missing some features that you have to pay to get. Nothing to crutial however.
My sister seemed to have some problems with this on her laptop. It quit loading with Windows and gave her errors. I never did though.
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2 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition 4.0
"As slow and as basic as you could ever get!"
Pros: Nice interface and (what looks like) a decent (ish) firewall.
Cons: This has to be one of the slowest anti-virus scanning software programmes i have ever used. If you do a scan you could clean the car, take a shower and have a stroll down to your local shops and back before this has finished scanning your pc! For some reason i have heard good results about this programme...until i installed it. This programme also hogs your PCU so badly that you are limited to it's uses. Virgin Media are offering this programme FREE for broadband users in the UK...it's no wonder they are! My advice...there are far better out there than this. Use at your own peril as long as you have the patience of a saint.
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition 4.0
Pros: The software has a small scanning time even on full scan and catches viruses well. Way better detection rates than AVG and easier to use by far.
Cons: Had a few false positives. and it's kinda feature-less.
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition 4.0
Pros: Good detection rate. then AVG, Uses very low REsource,
I say "JUST TAKE IT".
- See all 80 user reviews Write review
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