Best Free Antivirus Software For Windows PC and Laptop 2015

If you have a Windows computer, you need anti-virus software. There always will be those who will insist that every virus attack is caused due to "user error" or because the person using the computer wasn't careful enough. That statement is only partly true. Even if you have all the latest Windows updates installed and are using the latest version of a secure browser, there are always some vulnerabilities can be used to attack your computer. Good anti-virus software stops you from downloading viruses or opening unsafe files. That's why it is essential to have anti-virus software installed and updated.



The Best Free Antivirus Software For Windows PC and Laptop 2015

AVG Free Antivirus
AVG scored just under Avast in AV-Test's protection tests, but it has one of the best performance ratings in the business, meaning it will barely impact your everyday Windows use and gaming. AVG has been around in the free game forever, and the software shows it. It includes all kinds of features, from the usual realtime antivirus and firewall to email scanning, web browser protection, and even mobile device protection. AV Comparitives latest testing scored it a 97.2% protection rate.

Download AVG Free Antivirus


Avast! Free Antivirus
Avast is easy to understand, uses simple language to explain any problems, and has a great user interface that anyone can follow. It simplifies things like updating to the latest version and keeping the virus list up to date. Use silent mode to avoid the excessive announcements.

Download Avast 2015 Free Antivirus

BitDefender Antivirus Free Edition

BitDefender's best feature is that it runs quietly in the background by default. It won't bother you until it spots an infection, unlike most other anti-virus software, which need a fair bit of tweaking to get them to stop popping up all the time.

Download BitDefender Antivirus Free Edition

Avira Free Antivirus

Avira Free Antivirus has a distinct shortage of bonus extras, which might be an issue for some. The "Firewall" options add little (they configure the standard Windows firewall, rather than adding anything new), and even basic web protection requires a separate browser extension.

Still, for us, Avira's stripped-back design is a plus, as it makes it easier to add other security tools without conflicts. Factor in its very accurate engine and Avira is our pick of the free antivirus crop.

Download Aviral Antivirus Free

Panda Free Antivirus

Long ago, when Panda Antivirus still used a panda as its brand mascot, I'd turn to its online tool to help root out spyware nothing else seemed to find. Today, the Panda Cloud Antivirus Free is one of the top-scoring free tools on AV-Test. The free version also recently got a UI facelift and some features previously reserved for the pro version, including USB scanning and scan scheduling. Panda scored the best rating in AV Comparatives' recent antivirus run-off, blocking 99.9% of the viruses thrown at it.

Download Panda Cloud Antivirus Free