AVG Free

[Groundgripper]

Forgive me if this has already been covered, I looked but couldn't see it anywhere.

I've used AVG Free for ages and when I updated the system to Win 7 earlier this year I re-installed it and it has worked fine for over 4 months. When I switched on this morning I was greeted with a window announcing that my 'free trial' period will end tomorrow and requesting payment or licence number.

I wasn't aware that what I had downloaded was a trial , I believed it to be the normal free version. Is this something new? Have AVG changed the system and reduced the capability of the free version? I re-installed it on my wife's netbook and it seems to be much less complex, only covering something called AVG Linkscanner which only covers 'web browsing'.

I'm quite happy to continue with AVG if necessary, either with the paid-for or the free version or to change to Avast. My first reaction was to run MalwareBytes Anti-Malware but that didn't pick up anything.

GG

[CISTRS]

You seem to have downloaded the trial of the (paid-for) full version, which is the default option for renewal or upgrading.
The free version is still offered.
You must search for AVG Free, and make sure you install the free version, and not the full version.

[OFSO]

or to change to Avast.

Interestingly about 12 months ago I installed what I thought was a free copy of Avast on my tablet. I uninstalled it a few weeks ago, but I have just received a message saying my free trial period of Avast has come to an end and if I want to continue (I don't) I will have to pay for it.

I use free AVG on my PC and laptop, and have never been asked to pay. I also use Malware and although not being asked to pay, I did upgrade to the paid version because I think Malware is excellent and I need all the protection I can get for my OS. ()

[Booglebox]

I recommend that you get rid of AVG and use MS Security Essentials.

[Saab Dastard]

I recommend that you get rid of AVG and use MS Security Essentials.

I recommend that you look at the most recent comparative tests. See this, from April 2014: AV Comparison Summary.

Here's the complete article: The Best Antivirus for 2014 | PCMag.com


SD

[Loose rivets]

My wife an I have had Kaspersky for a year or so. It is supplied by Barclays FOC, but I found one had to be very careful not to let it do things like look at the keystrokes etc., or it will really slow things down.

Wife is running it on a little Acer with mini OS, and it still seams to function, though things come to a standstill if it starts to update.

[Groundgripper]

Thanks for that, folks, I finished up uninstalling and re-installing the free version of AVG on both machines and they both seem to work OK now. I presume that I must have unwittingly downloaded the free trial for the full version although I am equally sure that I very carefully selected the free version before.

Put it down to age.

I agree with LR about using the full versions on netbooks, my wife's Asus does to grind to a halt sometimes as AVG does its stuff. You can tell when its happening by the stream of invective coming from the sitting room at which point I feign deafness until it has subsided or when I fear for the physical wellbeing of the machine.

GG

[Booglebox]

SD, afraid your links don't work... all I've got to say is that I've had exactly zero malware issues in the past ~4 years with MSSE, and if you knew the sorts of things I get up to on the computer, your faith in it would probably be boosted quite a lot.

[Saab Dastard]

afraid your links don't work... all I've got to say is that I've had exactly zero malware issues in the past

Links fixed, thanks for pointing it out.

I'm glad that you've not had any malware - MSE isn't bad, it's just that there's better out there that's still free.

SD

[olympus]

I recommend that you look at the most recent comparative tests. See this, from April 2014: AV Comparison Summary.

Well I looked at the summary as suggested by SD and decided I would try BitDefender free version.

All I can say is 'I wish I hadn't!' The BitDefender software is very reluctant to load and if it does, it's only after it has installed a number of crapware and scareware programs. If you decline the offer of these items it seems you won't get to the BitDefender installation at all. I've just spent most of the afternoon getting rid of all this rubbish and reinstalling Avast which actually seemed to be doing a reasonable job.

[Booglebox]

Another reason to use MSE; no crapware and stays out of your way.