Serious Discussion Best Free Antivirus in 2026 – Windows Defender, Avast, or Something Else?

[Jonny Quest]

Annoying pop-ups with commercial promotions in Avast?
Unfortunately, in my opinion, this is the only downside, although with the "Limited" notification setting, they're significantly reduced.

And for what you get with Avast, and what @Parkinsond mentioned, the trade off for a possible notification on the app, is well worth it, IMO. After all, how many times do we need to open a set it and forget it app, anyway?

 

[Templarware]

I'm using AVG free and I don't get any annoying popups.

 

[Nunzio_77]

And for what you get with Avast, and what @Parkinsond mentioned, the trade off for a possible notification on the app, is well worth it, IMO. After all, how many times do we need to open a set it and forget it app, anyway?

My friend you reurned to Avast Free?

 

[Jonny Quest]

My friend you reurned to Avast Free?

Yep, I like the firewall. It's easier to use and understand than Windows Firewall. I gave up and uninstalled WFC. I'm not interested in pop up notifications, I'll just let Avast data base take care of it. I don't download and run myriads of apps to be concerned with it. I've used F-Secure on and off for years without any 3rd party firewall and have had no issues with malware, or it phoning home.

Also, it is lighter on the laptop I use it on, less memory and more efficient than BD, which helps, and has some nice settings and options for a free version Otherwise, BD Free is a solid choice

I have found that even if you disable the Avast UI.exe, it will re-enable itself after a Program update, or maybe part of its self protect? But here's where I'm at this morning as far as the UI. And I believe the "we have a gift for you" notification expires after a certain amount of time has past.

 

[stonjean633]

The pit bull (K) is really missed.

Pitbulls are lazy.
K-9 sounds more ideal for policing the web. Hehe