Windows · Security & Antivirus
AVG AntiVirus Free for Windows
Free real-time antivirus owned by Gen Digital that shares its core detection engine with Avast Free Antivirus, with similar upsell prompts toward AVG Internet Security.
Updated August 9, 2026 · Reviewed by SoftNexi Editorial Team, Software research and documentation
Overview
AVG AntiVirus Free is a genuinely free, always-on real-time scanner from Gen Digital, the same parent company that owns Avast. The two products share a detection engine and much of their backend infrastructure, differing mainly in branding, default UI, and which upsell products they promote.
Like Avast, installing AVG hands real-time protection to it and Windows Security reports Defender's real-time engine as inactive while AVG is the registered provider. Free-tier scanning, web/email shields, and basic ransomware protection are included; the paid AVG Internet Security tier adds a hardened firewall, webcam protection, and other extras.
AVG is subject to the same 2020 Jumpshot data-practice history as Avast, since the companies merged years ago and share infrastructure — worth reading current privacy disclosures before installing if that matters to you.
Choose AVG over Avast (or vice versa) mainly on UI preference; the underlying protection is closely related. There is little reason to run both on the same machine.
Key features
- Free real-time antivirus scanning that replaces Defender's real-time engine
- Email and web-traffic protection shields
- Basic ransomware protection on the free tier
- File shredder and performance-cleanup extras
- Frequent upsell prompts toward AVG Internet Security
- Shares its core engine with Avast Free Antivirus
System requirements
- Operating system
- Windows 11 and Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Account
- An AVG account is used for registration and cloud features
- Internet connection
- Required for activation and definition updates
How to install AVG AntiVirus Free
1. Download from the vendor
Use avg.com/en-us/free-antivirus-download rather than a third-party portal.
2. Review each setup screen
Uncheck optional add-ons you don't want before continuing.
3. Let it take over real-time protection
Windows Security will list AVG as the active provider once setup finishes.
How to use it
1. Run a full scan after install
Establish a clean baseline before relying on real-time protection alone.
2. Review installed add-ons periodically
Remove any browser components you did not intend to keep.
3. Distinguish alerts from marketing
Upgrade prompts are common; verify before acting on any security dialog.
Safety and privacy
- Download only from avg.com; free antivirus brands are frequently impersonated by malicious sites.
- Review each setup screen — optional browser add-ons and upgrade offers appear during installation.
- Bundled software
- The official installer's core antivirus is not bundled with unrelated third-party software, but it promotes AVG's own paid tiers and browser tools.
- Privacy
- AVG shares infrastructure and corporate history with Avast, including the discontinued Jumpshot data business. Review AVG's current privacy policy before installing if this concerns you.
Known risks
- Upgrade prompts can be persistent; read dialogs before clicking through.
- Review installed browser extensions after setup, as with any ad-supported free security product.
What's new
Current release
AVG updates its engine and definitions continuously through auto-update. Check the developer's release notes for version-specific detail.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Genuinely free real-time protection
- Regularly updated shared detection engine
- Simple interface
- Extra cleanup utilities included free
Cons
- Frequent upsell prompts
- Near-identical to Avast with little unique value
- Same data-practice history to review as Avast
- Setup requires careful attention to avoid unwanted extras
Verdict
AVG AntiVirus Free is functionally close to Avast Free Antivirus — a capable free real-time option if you go through setup carefully and don't mind upgrade prompts. Pick whichever brand's interface you prefer; there's little practical difference underneath.
Frequently asked questions
Does AVG AntiVirus Free support Windows 11?
Yes, it supports current 64-bit releases of Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Where should I download AVG AntiVirus Free?
Download it from avg.com/en-us/free-antivirus-download rather than a third-party portal, since free antivirus brands are frequently impersonated by malicious sites.
Is AVG AntiVirus Free really free?
Yes, its core real-time scanning, email/web shields, and basic ransomware protection are free. It shares its detection engine with Avast and promotes AVG's paid Internet Security tier through upsell prompts.
Can it run alongside Microsoft Defender?
No. Installing AVG hands real-time protection to it, and Windows Security reports Defender's real-time engine as inactive while AVG is the registered provider.
What doesn't the free tier cover?
The free tier doesn't include the hardened firewall, webcam protection, and other extras reserved for the paid AVG Internet Security tier.