Unfortunately, no free antivirus includes all of the features you need for complete protection, but it’s better to protect yourself with the best free antivirus than no antivirus at all! I tested and ranked each free antivirus listed here for malware detection, ease of use, and additional cybersecurity features. That’s why I always recommend investing a little bit every month into premium antivirus software that includes protection against all types of malware - with extra features like a VPN, password manager, parental controls, and dark web monitoring ( Norton 360 has all of these features, is ranked as the best antivirus software for 2022, and is very affordable). That said, every free antivirus is going to include a few frustrating limitations. I was ultimately able to find several free downloads that each offer free virus protection alongside a decent set of free internet security tools. This wasn’t an easy task, and I learned that there are only a few free antiviruses out there that offer decent protection for Windows computers.īut there are also some really good free antivirus programs that offer improvements over Windows’s built-in protections. Running virtual environments for various PC operating systems from Windows 7 – Windows 11, I not only looked at each antivirus’s malware protection capabilities, but also its user interface and its reputation for safeguarding user privacy. I tested every free antivirus I could find against thousands of old and new Windows malware files. Download Norton for Windows here (60-days risk-free).It’s not 100% free, but it has a 60-day money-back guarantee, which gives you 2 full months to see if it’s right for you.

🥇 Norton: Advanced virus and malware protection with extras like webcam protection, a VPN, a password manager, parental controls, dark web monitoring, and more.Short on time? Here’s the best free Windows antivirus for 2022:

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