Computer Courage has been recommending AVG Free Anvitivirus for years, but alas the times have changed.  We are crowning a new king of the free consumer antivirus world, and it comes from Microsoft (of all companies).  Computer Courage now recommends Microsoft Security Essentials for most home users.  It’s free, fast, and very effective.  If you want to learn more, or make an appointment to have a Computer Courage technician look at your PC and consult with you directly, please contact us.

Here’s how to switch from AVG Free Edition to Microsoft Security Essentials (also free).Further explanation of why we recommend switching is below. 1. Uninstall AVG Free Edition.You can do this by going to your Control Panel, then "Add/Remove Programs".Select "AVG Free Edition" from the list and click Remove. 2. You may need to reboot the computer after this.3. Next, download and run the AVG Remover.You can get it here.This cleans out all traces of AVG from your system.4. Now download and install Microsoft Security Essentials from here.The install couldn’t be simpler.

Here’s how to switch from AVG Free Edition to Microsoft Security Essentials (also free).  Further explanation of why we recommend switching is below.

1. Uninstall AVG Free Edition.  You can do this by going to your Control Panel, then “Add/Remove Programs”.  Select “AVG Free Edition” from the list and click Remove.
2. You may need to reboot the computer after this.
3. Next, download and run the AVG Remover.  You can get it here.  This cleans out all traces of AVG from your system.
4. Now download and install Microsoft Security Essentials from here.  The install couldn’t be simpler.  Be sure to let it do a full scan after it installs.

Here’s more details about why we recommend Microsoft Security Essentials.

Free antivirus may sound “too good to be true”, but it’s not.  For years, companies like Avira and AVG have been giving out free antivirus to consumers.  How do they do it?  Usually, free antivirus exists as a “gateway” to get you to buy more expensive products such as internet security suites (which we don’t recommend for most consumers).  Instead of spending money on advertising, or on getting trial software preloaded on new PCs, some antivirus makers found that offering free basic protection to millions allowed them to sell expensive “enhanced” protection to tens of thousands.

This model is fine, but AVG has gone too far with it.  Starting with version 9, the product which was once lightweight and simple has become overburdened with unnecessary and slowing features.  Where AVG used to gently recommend a paid version of their product, they now push the paid version too aggressively, with questionable tactics such as unnecessarily complicated upgrades which often confuse the user into paying.

The good news is, Microsoft has released a free antivirus, and it’s different.  Microsoft is not trying to sell you an upgraded version, they are simply protecting the reputation of their operating system.  Their new product is fast and lightweight, without the popups, system drain, and confusion that bogs down other free and paid antivirus programs. It works exceedingly well.  While the world of antivirus changes from month to month, we’re happy to recommend Microsoft Security Essentials as the optimum choice for most home users (for now).