Digital threats constantly evolve. Protecting your Windows PC from viruses, malware, and online scams is crucial. Avast Antivirus & Security offers a comprehensive solution.
This software provides robust, real-time defense. It safeguards your system against a wide array of cyberthreats, ensuring your online activities remain secure. While the specified version 26.1.0.260122076 is primarily associated with Android devices, Avast offers powerful antivirus protection for Windows users through its Avast Free Antivirus product line.
Avast leverages advanced AI and a vast threat detection network. This helps identify and neutralize emerging dangers before they can compromise your data or system integrity.
In This Post
Quick Start & Pro Tips
Disable Avast Data Sharing
- Open Avast Antivirus.
- Click Menu in the top right corner.
- Select Settings from the drop-down list.
- Navigate to the General tab on the left-hand side.
- Choose Personal Privacy.
- Untick the box next to Share app usage data with Avast or similar options.
Why: Disabling data sharing enhances your privacy. It prevents Avast from collecting or sharing your activity data with third parties, without impacting core antivirus functionality.
Manage Core Shield Settings
- Open Avast Antivirus.
- Go to Menu > Settings.
- Select Protection from the left-hand menu.
- Click Core Shields.
- Choose a specific shield (e.g., File Shield, Behavior Shield, Web Shield).
- Adjust settings by ticking or unticking options to enable or disable specific protections.
Why: Configuring core shields allows you to fine-tune real-time protection. This ensures the antivirus operates according to your preferences, balancing security with system performance.
Schedule Automatic Scans
- Open Avast Antivirus.
- Click Protection in the left-hand menu.
- Select Virus Scans.
- Choose Schedule Scan.
- Set the type of scan (e.g., Full Virus Scan, Targeted Scan) and specify the preferred day and time for it to run.
Why: Scheduling automatic scans ensures your PC is regularly checked for threats without manual intervention. This maintains consistent protection and prevents unnoticed infections.
Configure Web Shield Exclusions
- Open Avast Antivirus.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Active Protection from the left menu.
- Beside Web Shield, click Customize.
- Choose Exclusions from the left menu of the Web Shield settings screen.
- Add specific URLs to exclude from scanning.
Why: Excluding trusted URLs from the Web Shield can prevent conflicts with legitimate websites or services. This improves browsing compatibility while maintaining overall security.
Download Avast Antivirus & Security
Size – 590 MB
Windows
Download Avast Antivirus for Windows
Download Avast Antivirus Pro for Windows
Download Avast Antivirus Premier for Windows
Latest Updates in New Version
- DeepFake Protection: Enables Avast users to detect AI-generated scam videos via the Antiscam dashboard, with DeepFake Guard available as a premium feature.
- Wireless display connectivity: Improved detection and connectivity for wireless displays.
- Bugfixes: Various fixes and enhancements for improved stability and performance.
For complete changelog, visit the official release notes.
System Requirements
- OS: Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, or 7 Service Pack 1 or later (both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, excluding Starter and RT editions)
- Processor: Intel Pentium 4 / AMD Athlon 64 processor or above (must support SSE3 instructions)
- RAM: 4 GB RAM or above
- Disk Space: 3 GB free space on the hard disk
Technical Specifications
| Software Name | Avast Antivirus & Security |
|---|---|
| Version | 26.1.0.260122076 |
| License | Free |
| OS Support | Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7 SP1+ (32-bit, 64-bit); macOS 10.13+; Android; iOS |
| Language | English, Arabic, Chinese |
| Developer | Avast Software |
| Homepage | https://www.avast.com |
| Changelogurl | https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=324209.0 |
| Last Updated | Mar 3, 2026 |
Key Features
- Real-time Malware Protection: The software continuously monitors your system. It detects and blocks viruses, spyware, ransomware, and other malicious threats in real time.
- AI-Powered Scam Protection: Utilizing advanced artificial intelligence, Avast Assistant provides real-time guidance against potential scams. It helps identify and block phishing attempts and dangerous websites.
- Network Inspector: This feature scans your home Wi-Fi network. It identifies vulnerabilities and helps secure your connection, even on public networks.
- Smart Scan: Perform comprehensive scans of your device. This tool uncovers hard-to-find vulnerabilities and performance issues in hidden areas of your system.
- File Shield: The File Shield actively scans all programs and files. It checks them as they are opened, run, modified, or saved on your hard drive, preventing infections.
- Behavior Shield: This shield monitors all running processes. It alerts you immediately if any applications exhibit suspicious behavior, indicating potential malware.
- Ransomware Protection: Safeguard your sensitive files and documents. This feature prevents unauthorized access, encryption, or hostage-taking by ransomware attacks.
- Quarantine: Suspicious or infected files are isolated in a secure Quarantine area. This prevents them from causing further harm to your operating system.
Setup Instructions
Installation Steps
- Step 1: Click the download button above to get the installer for your operating system.
- Step 2: Locate the downloaded file and double-click to run the installer.
- Step 3: Follow the on-screen installation wizard to complete setup.
- Step 4: Restart your PC to ensure all protection features are active and running correctly.
Compatibility: Compatible with Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and later versions, including Windows 11.
Problem Solving
- Issue: Installation fails → Solution: Ensure no other antivirus software is active during installation, as conflicts can occur. Temporarily disable other security programs.
- Issue: Frequent pop-ups → Solution: Enable Silent Mode in Avast settings to reduce distractions. Navigate to Menu > Settings > General > Notifications and adjust pop-up treatment.
Questions & Answers
Is Avast Antivirus & Security free?
Yes, Avast offers a free version of its antivirus software, providing essential protection against malware and online threats.
What are the system requirements for Avast Antivirus & Security on Windows?
For Windows, Avast Antivirus requires Windows 7 SP1 or later, an Intel Pentium 4 / AMD Athlon 64 processor or above, 4 GB of RAM, and 3 GB of free hard disk space.
Does Avast Antivirus & Security protect against ransomware?
Yes, Avast Antivirus & Security includes dedicated features to protect against ransomware attacks, securing your personal files and documents.
How does Avast Antivirus & Security protect against online scams?
The software uses AI-powered tools like Avast Assistant and Web Guard to detect and block phishing attempts, malicious websites, and suspicious online messages in real time.
Other Options
| Feature | Avast Antivirus & Security | Norton Antivirus | TotalAV Antivirus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ✅ Free | 💰 Paid (e.g., $10/year) | 💰 Paid (e.g., $29-$49/year) |
| Platform | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android |
| Real-time Protection | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Firewall | Basic (Enhanced in Premium) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Ransomware Shield | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| VPN Included | No (Separate product/Premium feature) | Yes (in some plans) | Yes (bundled) |
| Key Strength | Comprehensive free protection with AI-powered scam detection | Strong malware detection rates, identity theft protection | Excellent malware detection, system optimization tools |
| Weakness vs Main | N/A (this is the main software) | Not entirely free for comprehensive features | No built-in firewall in basic plans |
| Our Pick | Best overall | Best for users seeking bundled identity protection and high detection rates. | Ideal for users prioritizing malware detection and system tune-up features. |
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