The free edition still doesn’t let you use the Rescue Environment, a premium-only feature that reboots the computer into a non-Windows platform suitable for removing even the most persistent malware. In theory, real-time protection should handle any malware problems after the full scan, but for an extra layer of security you can schedule a daily, weekly, or monthly scan, scheduling quick, full, and custom scans separately. I noticed it mostly because I didn’t dare do anything else with the test system for fear of slowing the process. For most users, Bitdefender’s lengthy initial scan won’t matter. Trend Micro beat that level of improvement, going from a 93-minute first scan to a three-minute repeat scan, roughly a 97% improvement. Since it’s free, you could just spin up another account on a different email address to protect more PCs.Īs promised, a repeat scan ran much more quickly, finishing in 23 minutes, a 92% improvement. Once you’ve activated your free subscription, you can install this product on up to three Windows devices. You need to sign up for a Bitdefender Central account to activate the product (or sign in if you already have one). Getting Bitdefender Free running on your system is quick and easy.

It’s worth a look, if you need high-powered antivirus protection at the lowest possible price. Bitdefender Free Antivirus for Windows gives you the same core malware-fighting power found in Bitdefender’s commercial tools, but without the numerous bonuses that make the commercial antivirus resemble a security suite. It’s easier when you realize you can choose from a plenitude of free antivirus tools, ones that outperform the built-in Microsoft Defender without charging a fee. Justifying the cost of commercial antivirus protection can be tough, especially given that Windows has its own antivirus built in. How to Set Up Two-Factor Authentication.How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac.How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files.How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill.How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.

How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.

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