Last updated: October 2026
For most people the best free antivirus for Windows 10 and Windows 11 is the one already built in: Microsoft Defender. Add a free on-demand scanner such as Malwarebytes Free for a second opinion, and keep Windows and your browser updated. If you want something extra, the realistic free choices today are Avira, AVG, Avast and Bitdefender Antivirus Free. Kaspersky and Sophos no longer offer a permanent free tier for new users.
- Best default: Microsoft Defender (already installed, no ads, no account).
- Best free third-party real-time option: Bitdefender Antivirus Free for a lightweight, no-fuss install, or Avira Free Security if you want extras such as a password manager and VPN.
- Best second-opinion scanner: Malwarebytes Free (on-demand only).
- Avoid: "cracked" or "full licence" antivirus downloads. They are a common way to get infected.
In this guide: Windows 10 support has ended | Microsoft Defender | Free antivirus compared | Reviews | No longer free | Recommended setup | FAQ | Sources
Windows 10 support has ended: what it means for antivirus
Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. Since then, Windows 10 PCs no longer receive free security updates, feature updates or technical support unless the device is enrolled in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. Microsoft's support page says the consumer ESU program can protect a Windows 10 device until 12 October 2027 (see Microsoft's announcement).
Antivirus does not replace operating-system patches. An antivirus can block known malware, but it cannot fix security holes in Windows itself. If your PC is eligible, the safest move is to upgrade to Windows 11 or enroll in ESU. All of the tools below also run on Windows 11.
Microsoft Defender: the baseline everyone already has
Microsoft Defender Antivirus is built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. It offers real-time protection, cloud-delivered detection and automatic definition updates at no cost, and it does not need a separate account. For home users who are careful about what they download, it is a sensible default. Check it under Windows Security > Virus & threat protection and make sure real-time protection is on.
Defender is not perfect. Independent lab results change from year to year, so look at the current results from AV-TEST and AV-Comparatives before you decide that a third-party product is worth the extra complexity.
Free antivirus for Windows compared
| Product | Real-time protection | Extras in the free version | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Defender | Yes | Built into Windows, cloud protection | Lab scores vary by year |
| Bitdefender Antivirus Free | Yes | Basic VPN (up to 200 MB of traffic per device per day) | Windows only; fewer extras |
| Avira Free Security | Yes | Browser protection, software updater, password manager, free VPN | Some upsells to paid plans |
| AVG AntiVirus Free | Yes | Web and email protection, ransomware and webcam protection, Wi-Fi help | Personal and family use only |
| Avast Free Antivirus | Yes | Web Guard, Behavior Shield, Ransomware Shield, Wi-Fi inspection, hack alerts | May ask you to reactivate after 12 months; upsells |
| Malwarebytes Free | No (on-demand scanner) | Scan and remove existing malware | Not a replacement for real-time protection |
Features are taken from each vendor's own download page and can change. Check the vendor page before installing.
Free antivirus reviews
1. Bitdefender Antivirus Free (lightweight choice)
Bitdefender's free edition gives you real-time protection with basic ransomware defense, behavior-based detection, custom scans and a virus cleaner. It also includes a basic VPN limited to 200 MB of encrypted traffic per device per day. It leaves out features such as anti-tracking and social network protection. It is Windows only. Download it from the official Bitdefender page.
2. Avira Free Security (most extras)
Avira Free Antivirus for Windows is the same product as Avira Free Security. It combines AI and cloud-based detection with scheduled scans, a browser extension for phishing protection, a software updater, a password manager and a free VPN. Avira says it targets Windows 10 and 11 and recommends upgrading older Windows versions. Get it from avira.com.
3. AVG AntiVirus Free (simple and familiar)
AVG AntiVirus Free offers real-time protection against viruses, infected emails and scam websites, with AI-assisted link and download checks, ransomware, rootkit and webcam protection, and Wi-Fi network help. It runs on Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8 and 7, needs 4 GB of RAM and 2 GB of disk space, and is for personal and family use only. Download from the official AVG page.
4. Avast Free Antivirus (many features, many upsells)
Avast Free Antivirus includes File Shield, Web Guard, Behavior Shield, Mail Shield, Ransomware Shield, a firewall, quarantine, Network Inspector and hack alerts. Avast says the app may ask you to reactivate the free subscription after 12 months, and some advanced features need a paid upgrade. Download from the official Avast page.
Privacy note: in 2024 the US Federal Trade Commission took action against Avast over the collection and sale of users' browsing data through its former Jumpshot subsidiary. Review the privacy and data-sharing settings of any free security product, Avast and AVG included, right after installing it.
5. Malwarebytes Free (second opinion)
Malwarebytes Free is an on-demand scanner for cleaning up infections that are already on the PC. It does not watch the system in real time, so run it alongside Defender or another real-time product. Our full guide covers the download, scan and removal steps: Malwarebytes Free for Windows.
Products older guides still recommend that are no longer free
- Kaspersky: the "Kaspersky Free" page on kaspersky.com now offers a 30-day free trial of Kaspersky Standard, not a permanent free antivirus. Older "Security Cloud Free" recommendations are out of date.
- Sophos Home: Sophos changed Sophos Home Free into a 30-day trial of Sophos Home Premium. Only accounts that switched to Free before 11 November 2021 kept the free licence.
If an article still lists these as permanently free, it has not been updated.
Recommended setup by scenario
- Careful home user: Microsoft Defender with real-time protection on, automatic Windows updates, and Malwarebytes Free for an occasional scan.
- Want a third-party engine: Bitdefender Antivirus Free, and let it take over from Defender. Do not run two real-time antiviruses at once.
- Family PC with several users: Defender plus Microsoft family safety settings, or AVG/Avast if you need the extra web protection (personal use only).
- Already infected: boot into Safe Mode, run Defender Offline scan and Malwarebytes Free. See our guide on removing fake antivirus and scareware and, for stubborn files, deleting autorun.inf.
- Still on Windows 10: upgrade to Windows 11 or enroll in ESU first. See the support section above.
More protection guides are in the Security Guides hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Defender enough in 2026?
For many home users, yes, as long as it is kept on, Windows is updated, and you avoid pirated software and suspicious attachments. If you want extra web or phishing protection, a free third-party product can add it.
Can I run two antivirus programs at once?
Not two real-time products. They conflict and slow the system. An on-demand scanner such as Malwarebytes Free is designed to sit beside a real-time antivirus.
Is free antivirus safe?
The big vendors listed here are legitimate, but free products are funded by upgrades and sometimes by data. Download only from the vendor's own site and review privacy settings after install.
Is Windows 10 still safe to use?
Support ended on 14 October 2025. Without ESU you get no security patches, and antivirus cannot fix operating-system flaws. Upgrade or enroll in ESU.
Does Kaspersky still have a free antivirus?
Its official page now promotes a 30-day free trial of Kaspersky Standard rather than a permanent free edition.
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