PC Tools AntiVirus Free User Reviews

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CNET Editors' Rating 5.0 stars

Spectacular

Average User Rating stars

out of 511 user reviews

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All User Reviews

Results 1-10 of 83

  • 5.0 stars

    "No longer available THANKS TO SYMANTEC!"

    April 20, 2013  |   By TobyDammit

    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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  • 5.0 stars

    "excellent !!!"

    April 13, 2013  |   By ramsadhi

    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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  • 5.0 stars

    "Spectacular product"

    January 22, 2013  |   By 1dustpelt

    Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free 8.0

    Pros

    -Good detection rate
    -Excellent new interface
    -Does not slow down my computer as much as others do

    Cons

    -Some features are limited

    Summary

    Great

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  • 2.0 stars

    "Not a patch on what it used to be!"

    December 14, 2012  |   By Yothar

    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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  • 1.0 stars

    "Not for me: too confusing"

    November 20, 2012  |   By Taffy80

    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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  • 2.0 stars

    "misleading"

    November 18, 2012  |   By cshort22

    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.

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  • 2.0 stars

    "A load on the system, like their Threat Fire"

    August 9, 2012  |   By WarlockOrange777

    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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  • 3.0 stars

    "Not for amateurs"

    August 7, 2012  |   By Ted Martin

    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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  • 1.0 stars

    "Not for my computer"

    July 7, 2012  |   By wessbill

    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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  • 4.0 stars

    "At least as good as other more popular free antiviruses"

    July 6, 2012  |   By emanuele_it

    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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Results 1-10 of 83

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