Suggestions for a free anti -virus

Hi

I am going to reformat a senior's  hard drive, to re-install windows 10, and she currently has Avast, its pushy, and fear mongers.

I am wondering if there is another free antivirus that I could install on her computer .

Thanks

Edited by Api-2025, 18 November 2025 - 04:43 PM.

Windows comes with Defender and it's firewall and is not pushy and do not require anything else.  Ranks in Top 10.

Yes Avast bought up by Norton, Norton Home products bought up and consolidated under GEN and are more than pushy.

In regards to Microsoft Defender Antivirus, see my comments in Choosing an Anti-Virus Program (Post #2). Microsoft has incorporated a number of significant improvements which make it competitive with other major anti-virus vendors including many paid for products.
 
To strengthen Microsoft Defender Antivirus you can use ConfigureDefender... a small utility that allows users to access a graphical user interface and easily configure (strengthen) all hidden Defender Anti-Virus settings. Once started, ConfigureDefender will list your current configuration and allow you to change various settings. ConfigureDefender includes three predefined protection level templates...."Default", "High" and "Max" that will automatically increase or lower the protection offered by Microsoft Defender Antivirus after rebooting. Setting the Protection Levels to "High" is a good baseline and recommended for most users.

• Using ConfigureDefender to manage Microsoft Defender
• How to configure Windows Defender: Configuration Tool

Thank you  both !!!

I had no idea.

You're welcome on behalf of the Bleeping Computer community.

As well there is Windows Firewall Control (WFC) which brings out hidden settings like Configure Defender.

https://www.makeuseof.com/windows-firewall-control-guide/

Colours, Name is the Developer Works for (MBAM) Malwarebytes.

A stand alone Scanner can run anytime :  https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/

The last step when/if see that is to reset the HOST File and Network Settings if they have been altered.

Browser is 1st place in and suggest : https://www.malwarebytes.com/browserguard with ad block turned off, use another reputable and easy to use ad blocker from your Browser Extensions Support Page and or/a Store.

Privacy Badger : https://privacybadger.org/

Bleepin' Gumshoe     

Cat Herder

Thanks, I had no idea about the WFC.

About the browser, personally I have been using firefox, and had installed firefox on this lady's computer, with the add on of : adblock plus.

Is firefox no longer a up there as a good browser?

Firefox is fine.   Browser Guard will block a page if it is not trusted as does Firefox's own security.   Browser Guard has saved me several times going to sites that should be OK but that have had malicious code injected in the web page coding.  

For the little amont of interaction and or settings it provides a extra layer of protection for the Browsers it will install on.