Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' note: The product has been discontinued by PC Tools and is no longer available for download or use. Download.com offers no downloadable file for this product and presents data on the last available version for informational purposes only.
Publisher's Description
From PC Tools:
PC Tools AntiVirus Free is a full antivirus and antispyware package designed to protect from known viruses, worms, Trojans and other threats while defending against spyware, adware, bots, keyloggers and other malware. Monitors for and blocks known malware in real-time. PC Tools AntiVirus Free uses spider scanning technology to identify and remove threats in minutes. Warns you about unsafe or phishing websites and displays website safety ratings in your search results. Frequent automatic updates and product upgrades ensure that you are always protected against the latest threats.
What's new in this version: Version 8.0 includes enhancements in protection, detection, and scanning.
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All versions:
3.1 starsout of 511 votes
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Current version:
2.6 starsout of 83 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"No longer available THANKS TO SYMANTEC!"
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free 8.0
Pros
WAS the best, before Symantec bought it to eliminate a competitor.
Cons
Symantec acquired the company to crush a competitor, thinking its subscribers would stay on with them...WRONG!!! You guys at Symantec are as ignorant and out of touch with consumers as Research in Motion! You never figured out that consumers went to software like PC Tools AV to get the hell away from NORTON's overpriced, bloated, inefficient software and user-unfriendly interfaces! And to hell with PC Tools' owners for selling out to a corporation with absolutely no respect for a superior product they simply bought to destroy. I will never buy the Symantec/Norton brand.
Summary
Symantec acquired the company to crush a competitor, thinking its subscribers would stay on with them...WRONG!!! You guys at Symantec are as ignorant and out of touch with consumers as Research in Motion! You never figured out that consumers went to software like PC Tools AV to get the hell away from NORTON's overpriced, bloated, inefficient software and user-unfriendly interfaces! And to hell with PC Tools' owners for selling out to a corporation with absolutely no respect for a superior product they simply bought to destroy. I will never buy the Symantec/Norton brand.
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"excellent !!!"
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free 8.0
Pros
unbeleivable
Cons
it was great to get your software
Summary
this an excellent antivirus its suddenly removed svhost.exe threat in my pc...hey gys you have try this...its awesome!!!!
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"Spectacular product"
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free 8.0
Pros
-Good detection rate
-Excellent new interface
-Does not slow down my computer as much as others doCons
-Some features are limited
Summary
Great
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"Not a patch on what it used to be!"
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free 8.0
Pros
Free... or is it?
Cons
I can't actually say much about how PC Tools AntiVirus Free actually works, because the smart update locks up, and won't allow access to the GUI. I have installed, uninstalled, & re-installed without success. I've wasted hours trying to get it running, but have given up. It's a shame really, PC Tools AntiVirus Free used to be top rated & easy to use... I don't know if it has anything to do with NOW being a Symantec product or not, but I suspect it has.... I've tried a few Symantec programs over the years (like Norton AV) and have been totally under-whelmed by their performance as I am now finding with PCTools. Now my challenge is to try and clear it off my computer!!!
Summary
It might work for some, but if it doesn't, be prepared for major hassles.
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"Not for me: too confusing"
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free 8.0
Pros
None. My computer did not like this one.
Cons
My system did the hanging up routine as well as mentioned earlier. Also NOT a free software.
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"misleading"
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free 8.0
Pros
Very thorough scan
Cons
The scanning is free, but you have to pay to remove.
Summary
Why bother listing this as "free" if it won't complete its job without a fee. To me, that's not a free software. There should be a warning.
If you're looking for something totally free, don't waste your time (and it took a lot of time) to download and install this software. -
"A load on the system, like their Threat Fire"
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free 8.0
Pros
The scan seems to be correct
Cons
Creates its own LSPs, too heavy on the system, even with its service switched off.
Summary
NIS is much better
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"Not for amateurs"
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free 8.0
Pros
Good program, finds a lot of stuff
Cons
Often finds too much that requires advanced knowledge before following it's recommendations.
Summary
Good for experts, not so good for the average user. Reminds me of McAfees' days of thinking everything is a virus.
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"Not for my computer"
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free 8.0
Pros
The software seemed to function will. The scans found many threats.
Cons
The file size in the specs is so wrong. The file size in the specs indicated 499.98k. Actual size after downloading is 470MB. This slowed my old Toshiba laptop to less than a crawl. I will uninstall this product as soon as I find a replacement.
Summary
If your computer has about 504 MB of RAM like mine, don't bother downloading this product.
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"At least as good as other more popular free antiviruses"
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free 8.0
Pros
Unobtrusive, light on resources, doesn't nag with promotional messages, easy to use, install, and also to uninstall!
Cons
The Browser Defender add-on seemed to mess up Internet Explorer 8 UI, but disabling it was enough to fix the problem.
Summary
I'm very perplexed reading so many negative reviews of this product. I have to say that I use Windows XP, maybe other problems affect 7 or Vista, I don't know.
I've been using Avast for years, but after the latest program update, that is, after having to opt-out the ****ing Google Toolbar every time I turn on my pc, I just had to uninstall it.
I also use AVG on my netbook, and it works very well, but I wanted to try other products, and PC Tools is a very good one. It only caused a problem on IE8, as I wrote before, but I don't care so much for that, since I deem myself able enough to stay away from dangerous sites without the help of a browser add-on. I highly appreciate the fact that you can very easily turn off completely the software, and then uninstall it without any problem.
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