Want solid free antivirus that stays out of your way? BitDefender Free Edition blocks malware in real time, runs scans on demand, and can scan for existing infections and remove detected threats.
Real-time threat detection
BitDefender Free Edition monitors activity for suspicious changes and responds to threats as they appear. Its detection covers malware such as ransomware, infected downloads, phishing attempts, rootkits, Trojans, and threats from malicious websites.
When the program identifies a threat, it can block or isolate suspicious activity and show an alert. The Advanced Threat Defense feature gives more context by showing where a threat originated and what it might have done if it had not been stopped.
Virus scans and cleanup
Scans let you look for malware already on the PC, while removal tools can clean up detected infections. The free edition also runs virus scans, with customizable scan options for checking the computer.
- Scan for existing viruses and other detected threats.
- Remove infections found during a scan.
- Use real-time protection to monitor activity between scans.
Bitdefender Central account
Installation requires a Bitdefender Central account.
Pros
- Real-time detection of suspicious changes
- Scans and removal tools for existing infections
- Alerts include threat origin and potential impact
Cons
- A Bitdefender Central account is required to install it
System requirements: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11
Can BitDefender Free Edition remove malware already on my PC?
Yes. It includes scanning and removal tools for finding and cleaning existing infections.
What does Advanced Threat Defense show?
It shows where the threat came from and what it would have done had it not been blocked.
Does it monitor files in real time?
Yes. It monitors for suspicious changes and responds to detected threats as they appear.