AVG AntiVirus Free for Windows

Name: AVG AntiVirus Free
Rating: 4 (22227 reviews)
Author: AVG Technologies

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Editors’ Review

Download.com staffJuly 23, 2025

AVG Antivirus free is one of the most popular antivirus programs on the market. The company is moving from annual releases to rolling releases: as long as you have a subscription, you'll have the latest version of their software.

The software enhances your security by incorporating six layers of protection, effectively guarding against various online threats. This system works proactively to block dangers before they can cause damage. AVG also alerts you about potentially harmful emails and their attachments, helping you avoid risky clicks. It provides additional security by shielding your PC from unauthorized network access attempts and helping you steer clear of scam websites and malware-infected links.

Besides these protections, AVG includes tools like Smart Scan and CyberCapture, which scan for and analyze suspicious files. Behavior Shield monitors your apps for unusual activity, helping to neutralize threats early. File Shield actively blocks potential malware in newly added or opened files. If tough-to-detect viruses bypass regular antivirus measures, Rescue Disk allows you to boot your PC from an external device to tackle these hidden threats. The Quarantine feature safely isolates risky files, keeping your system secure while these files are examined.

AVG AntiVirus Free is completely free. It offers comprehensive protection across various cybersecurity fronts, all through an interface that is straightforward and easy to use.

Pros

Rolling releases: In the past, buying a copy of AVG would get you regular antivirus updates, but features would not change until you bought the following year's version. Now you can always have the newest version of AVG.

It's free: Although it's release method has changed, you can still get a version that costs no money -- though there are a few strings attached (more on that in the Cons section below).

Modular installation: AVG has separate components that can monitor your desktop email client and your Web browser for threats, and you can choose to not install both of these, if you have other software that covers these bases already.

Cons

Installer gotchas: If you don't intervene by using a "custom" installation, the installer will put you on a 30-day trial of one of the company's paid products instead of installing AVG Antivirus Free. And it will change your Web browser's homepage and default search engine to Bing.com.

PC Analyzer has issues: AVG Antivirus features a PC Analyzer, which checks for registry errors, junk files and broken shortcuts that can be deleted, and disk defragmentation. The problem is, you're not supposed to defrag a solid-state drive, but PC Analyzer did not appear to notice what type of drive it was. The analyzer is also all-or-nothing; you can't skip the defrag or the registry cleaner and just delete junk files and shortcuts, for example.

Bottom Line

According to independent testing labs such as AV-Test and AV-Comparatives, AVG uses a solid antivirus engine. But the hoops you have to jump through in the installer and the technical error in the PC Analyzer have an impact on trust and confidence in the product.

What’s new in version 23.12.8700

New File Shredder: Normal deletion isn't always secure enough. In some cases, your data may still be recoverable. File Shredder deletes data securely to help ensure your most sensitive information remains private. Files are deleted permanently and can't be accessed or recovered by someone else.
Easy access to AVG mobile apps: User-friendly interface offers easy access to our free mobile apps. They range from mobile protection (AVG AntiVirus Free for Android) to privacy protection (AVG Safe Browser for iPhone & iPad) to mobile performance apps (AVG Cleaner for Android).
Better Detection: AVG detection rates are always being improved to ensure we are keeping up with Internet criminals.
File Reputation: The new AVG client will check with our cloud service and report the prevalence of certain files on users' computers. We'll then use this information to improve our product's detection capabilities (heuristics, behavioural detection). No personal information is ever collected, and customers must opt into our product improvement program in order for us to access their data.

AVG AntiVirus Free for Windows

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: January 16, 2024

Latest update: July 23, 2025

Version: 23.12.8700

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 10
Windows 8
Windows 7

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 566,860,916

Downloads Last Week: 307

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Program available in other languages

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4/5

22227 User Votes

DO NOT INSTALL! Run SCREAMING! USE ANYTHING ELSE!
rdwarnerFebruary 12, 2018
Pros
It's an antivirus product with a name that used to mean something positive.
Cons
Do you like popups? Do you like YOUR PERSONAL EMAILS BEING HIJACKED FOR MARKETING PURPOSES?! AVG Does all this (and probably more!) but I'm uninstalling today to put an end to the joke that was giving them a second chance. Seriously though, what are they thinking by adding a custom "AVG" signature to all emails I send. Unbelievable.
Summary
I used to use AVG free several years back and it was honestly pretty good. Lightweight, un-intrusive, everything you could want out of a civilian level antivirus product. Then they spammed popups for upgrading to the full version and it got pretty annoying so I went a different direction for a few years; I had heard they got bought out by a competitor but it was honestly really sad to see them change their business model. I decided to give them a shot after reading the CNET reviews but JESUS CHRIST: adding a signature to my personal outgoing emails in an attempt to market their software is the absolute opposite of a good marketing strategy. Created an account on CNET just to try to warn people to steer clear. Ranked .5 stars because I can't rank 0/5 stars.
Killed my Chrome!
Youngfan75November 4, 2017
Pros
Free, that's about it
Cons
killed my Chrome, it would not work with AVG. Tried to delete and reinstall to NO help.
Summary
Would not recommend!
Avoid this malware/virus.
ekertinAugust 11, 2017
Pros
Tried it, and didn't like it. It does work fairly well as long as you don't try to remove it.
Cons
I uninstalled Avast and tried AVG. I used it years ago, and don't remember why I stopped. I just don't care for the intrusive attitude of the software, though you have to deal with a certain amount with all freeware. When I uninstalled, well that's where the trouble starts. AVG won't uninstall. It no longer shows in my uninstall list (I use Iobit uninstaller), but it's there every time I boot up. I'm not a wiz Kid, but I come from the old DOS days, started with a TRS-80. I've seen some bad software over the years, but this one takes the cake. Any antivirus that actively intimidates by refusing to allow you to uninstall, is a virus itself. At the very least, malware. Don't bother going to their website for advice, that's a joke as well. Between Comodo and AVG. it's a close race as to which one is worse. Leave this one by the roadside folks.
Summary
AVG is nothing more than malware, and one step away from being ransomware.
bloatware loaded
softanwerJuly 20, 2017
Pros
still a good antiviruse
Cons
bloatware. There were times my cpu monitor showed extended 100% usage. I have since removed AVG freeware from two of my laptops and switched to Avast freeware. I have no more high cpu usage and no more annoying AVG ads. Also, if you thought Norton was a pain to remove, I had to run my unistaller 3 times to get everything of AVG removed.
Summary
So far Avast has been doing well. When the time comes, I have 3 more computers I will be switching from AVG.
Very effective
sheilaksmJune 28, 2017
Pros
Everyone has to give it a shot. It's lowkey, fast and offers tons of tools
Cons
AVG e-mail support is super rude
Summary
Uninstalling it as I write this review.
lowderjrJune 17, 2017
Pros
Better than nothing, I suppose.
Cons
I hate everything about it. Lots of annoying ads.
Summary
I never liked avast but there they went and turned AVG into avast. I hate the interface. I hate the overly complicated settings. I will probably stick with either Sophos Home or Bitdefender Free.
No longer good
Hobie-18June 7, 2017
Pros
Good Anti-Virus and Anti Malware
Cons
Resource hog. Annoying pop ups to upgrade. No way to turn it off. Very hard to uninstall.
Summary
This used to be my anti-virus for all my families PCs. Latest version was running 24% of my CPU cycles on an i5. High memory usage as well even when idle. Extremely difficult to remove. In the process of user AVG removal tool now, after unintall failed. I'll run my ISPs provided anti virus before using AVG again.
NAG,NAG,NAG!
bustertoadMay 31, 2017
Pros
It works at blocking what it suppose to block I assume.
Cons
It is constantly putting up pop-up screens for no reason that try to sell you something. I downloaded this program to stop this stuff from happening and what I get is worse than what I am trying to prevent. All efforts to turn it off or bypass the problems are useless. I want my antivirus program to be invisible not intrusive.
Summary
I am searching for an alternative.
Watch Out - May Cause Major Problems!
avalantisMay 24, 2017
Pros
Absolutely None
Cons
- Slow download (AVG server congestion?) - Begins unstoppable scan upon install - Almost impossible to remove
Summary
I installed this on Windows Vista. First, it took almost 30 minutes to download. Then after it was finally installed, AVG Free immediately began scanning, preventing the PC from being used for anything else. The scan could not be stopped or paused NO MATTER WHAT. Task Manager had no effect - the only way I could stop this monstrosity was to uninstall it via windows Add/Remove programs WHILE IT WAS RUNNING. I was unable to completely remove the entire program; I tried AVG's own "AVG Remover tool" but it only removed part of it. Ultimately I had to remove it manually, then use CCleaner to get rid of the junk that this turkey scattered throughout the Window's Registry. The entire nightmare took hours! Save yourself the headache and look into another A/V. I ended up with Panda Free - not the most effective program, but at least it doesn't slow the machine down to a crawl and then commandeer it.
Is AVG actually a virus?????
eterntyinanhour9May 16, 2017
Pros
This used to be good software, but now it's trash.
Cons
1.) email stopped working for a little while. I finally got it working and the first email I was able to send had "virus free- www.avg.com" in the signature. 2.) Disturbed, I call their support. The lady refused to help me because I hadn't paid for software. I explained that this software was tampering with my emails and this was beyond just a software issue but an absolute complaint. She then chose to respond to everything I said with, "I'm sorry. I can not help you if you aren't a paid customer. Go online to our help page." Over and over and over this was the response. 3.) I go to uninstall the program. It took a while to uninstall and then naturally, my computer restarted. To my unhappiness, AVG is still somehow on my computer. WHAT THE CRAP IS THIS???
Summary
Do not use this software. I don't know anything about the paid version, but the free version is acting like a virus itself. I will never use this software again.

Developer’s Description

By AVG Technologies

Enjoy worry-free unhackable online life with real-time malware threat elimination within unbreakable Web defense.

Three reasons to use AVG AntiVirus Free: Millions trust it to protect them, it consistently earns top ranks among the world's best antivirus products, and it gives you some of the best security features around for free. Our essential antivirus installs in just moments, and then protects you forever - without slowing you down. With AVG AntiVirus FREE on your side, you're protected on two layers:

Computer Protection: Our real-time protection helps keep your computer free of viruses, spyware, ransomware, rootkits, Trojans, and other nasty malware. It also uses advanced artificial intelligence and real-time analysis to stop even the newest threats from reaching you.
Web&Email Protection: We block any unsafe links, downloads, and email attachments you run into so you can enjoy your online life without worries.

Best of all, anytime an AVG user encounters an unknown threat, we quickly analyze it, create a cure, and then push it out to our millions of users so everyone is better protected. You don't have to lift a finger. And updates? You're covered there, too. We push security updates and new features to you automatically, so you're always up-to-date. Anyone looking for a refreshingly simple antivirus that still packs a powerful punch and won't slow you down can't go wrong with AVG AntiVirus FREE. Download it now to see why AVG is the preferred choice for millions of people worldwide.

AVG AntiVirus Free for Windows

Editors’ Review

Pros

Cons

Bottom Line

What’s new in version 23.12.8700

AVG AntiVirus Free for Windows

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User Reviews

DO NOT INSTALL! Run SCREAMING! USE ANYTHING ELSE!

Killed my Chrome!

Avoid this malware/virus.

bloatware loaded

Very effective

Uninstalling it as I write this review.

No longer good

NAG,NAG,NAG!

Watch Out - May Cause Major Problems!

Is AVG actually a virus?????

Developer’s Description