Yes, there are free antivirus options available.
Yes, there are free antivirus options available.
Consider this not as antivirus software. Locals highly suggest AVG a lot? I usually rely on Windows Defender.
I used to run Avast in its 3.8 release, which was impressive back then. But with all the new updates they added, it's become quite an issue now. I’d suggest going for Avira—it has a superior definition database compared to Avast, even though Avast is still solid. You're correct about it being an anti-malware tool; its virus database is among the best. For full features you’d need to upgrade to the premium version, so it doesn’t fit neatly into the free antivirus category. Still, keeping the free version handy for occasional manual scans can be useful.
I've been using Panda cloud antivirus for about three years, and recently switched to the free version. It consistently performs well. The updated version occasionally displays a small alert in the bottom-right corner of the screen, especially when you browse the web, but it doesn't disrupt important applications. Compared to Avira, AVG, and Avast, this one feels more streamlined and uses fewer system resources. I've tested all these options, and MSE/Windows Defender hasn't worked for me a few times—don't suggest it unless no other choice exists.