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Cyber attacks are increasing in frequency and severity, which means that using malware protection for your PC is more important than it has ever been. Most of us keep our important information on a computer, so knowing how to get rid of malware when it appears would protect your privacy, save you time and money, and keep your digital activity productive.
State-of-art online virus scan software and malware removal tools are truly powerful these days, so we’ve gathered the best free virus scan software that are available to download in 2022. Our list names the top tools for stopping, managing, and removing spyware, adware, malware, and other kinds of viruses.
Each virus removal program featured in our list is trustworthy and was tested by us to meet the highest standards. The malware protection software included is named among best antivirus software for Windows Home users by AV-Test, which independently assesses anti malware software based on protection, performance, and usability.
Most of the malware protection programs here are also award members of AV-Comparatives, a nonprofit that seeks to highlight the quality of antivirus software. The only exception is Malwarebytes, which is not included by AV-Test or AV-Comparatives. That’s because the company doubts the validity of independent tests where malware removal tools are subjected to a barrage of zero-day attacks.
1. Malwarebytes – the most complete free malware removal tool
Whether you are preempting malware or think your machine is infected, Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware is an excellent free malware removal tool to use. It offers features to combat malware, including numerous preemptive tools and daily scans. Malwarebytes has a 14-day free trial gets a lot done over that period. You get the full suite of tools, including real-time scanning which picks up any incoming attacks. The security of daily updates cannot be understated, as it allows Malwarebytes to identify and quarantine new threats as soon as they appear. Ransomware-specific protection is the feature you might lack using the free version but it is a standout feature that most free malware removers do not have.
Nonetheless, you still get plenty of top-notch features with the free malware removal tool, such as real-time web protection and mitigation against zero-day attacks. Our scans are always very quick and result in a complete report showing system information and the level of threat detected.
OS: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10
Licensing: Free to try, 14-day trial, $39.99
Our Rating: 9 / 10
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2. Adaware Antivirus Free – malware removal rool with day-one protection
Adaware is a fantastic choice if you are customizing an anti-malware suite yourself. If you are using multiple tools, Adaware provides a great supplement to another antivirus program. When you first download this free malware removal toolkit, it will detect if there is another antivirus software running on the machine. If there is, Adaware will operate in ‘Compatible Mode.’ The only issue with Adaware is its long setup process. The download process is sufficiently rapid, but then you must go through a registration but it certainly won’t be a deal breaker.
Adaware’s true power lies in its ability to lock suspicious programs into a virtual environment to be tested for malware. If an attack is present, it is swiftly removed without fuss. This process is noteworthy for a couple of reasons. Firstly, Adaware performs all this seamlessly behind the scenes and is a resource-light program overall. Secondly, you are protected against malware of all kinds, even if you happen to be the first person infected by a new strain. This free malware remoal tool will also serve as a download checker, scanning files before you download them to see if they have malware.
OS: Windows 7, 8, 10
Licensing: Freeware
Our Rating: 8 / 10
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3. Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2021 – powerful malware removal tool
While most malware removal programs focus on dealing with an infection once it’s found, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2021 is notable because it is oriented toward stopping malware. Prevention is better than cure.
Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 boasts a powerful anti-malware engine that is designed to avoid infection, whilst also getting rid of any existing malware. Ease of use is also a major advantage of the Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2018 experience. You can simply drag and drop files onto the program home screen for a scan to begin, which is perfect for individual files that you may be suspicious of. The Virus Shield is a handy malware removal tool that automatically scans files before you download them. This antivirus will even test webpages before you enter any of them.
Despite a rich suite of features, Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2021 is held back a little by the fact it does not play well with other programs. It is not compatible with other antivirus programs, so you will have to choose Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 2021 as your sole anti-malware suite. We also reviewed the Android version of this malware removal tools and listed it as one of the best antivirus for Android.
OS: Windows 7, 8, 10Licensing: Free to try, 30-day trial, $39.98
Our Rating: 7 / 10
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4. Comodo Free Internet Security – free malware removal tool
- Established antivirus protection
- Virtualized sandbox
- Wide range of tools
- Too many notifications
- Sometime flags innocent files as suspicious
5. Panda Free Antivirus
Not only is Panda malware removal software beautifully and comprehensively designed but also works with zero-day threats. It means that it solves the problems before the device is harmed. Panda’s anti-malware solutions are bases on Big Data and artificial intelligence which provides Panda’s users with the advanced approach to getting rid malicious software and monitoring whether any suspicious activity takes place in background apps.
Being a feature-rich virus removal program, Panda Free Antivirus is a very lightweigh one. You get your PC full protection without loading your PC with large files.
When installing this malware removal tool, it asks you if you want to install Opera browser. It takes you time to find the tick to let Panda know that you don’t want Opera, as this tick is hiding on a banner and is almost invisible. You untick it, open the software, and realize that it did install Opera nonetheless. A tool that forces you to install something you specifically “told” it not to is a factor that might emotionally ruin the experience. You don’t expect it from a cutting-edge malware removal software.
If this inconvenience doesn’t bother you we would highly recommend this free malware removal tool to use.
OS: Windows Vista, Windows, Windows XP, Windows 10, 8, 7
Licensing: Freeware, Premium 28$
Our Rating: 8 / 10
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6. SUPERAntiSpyware – feature rich malware removal tool
This free malware removal tool is for users who want full control over scans, as SUPERAntiSpyware puts virus scanning at the forefront of its experience. Mitigation and detection services are available, as well as automatic scanning, but there are easier services for automatic use. This anti malware software is designed for granular control over scanning processes.
Users are able to see which files are to be scanned, how many times and how often they are actually scanned. Additionally, you can decide whether this virus scanner should check ZIP archives. There is a trade-off for this greater control. When you suspect a file is carrying malware, you need to send it to SUPERAntiSpyware’s threat labs for it to be analyzed. Yes, scanning in a virtual machine is quicker but this shows the hands-on approach of the suite.
Like in the majority of malware removal tools, there is a premium version which is richer featured than the free SUPERAntiSpyware version.
OS: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10
Licensing: Freeware
Our Rating: 6 / 10
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7. Emsisoft Emergency Kit – portable free malware removal tool
Sometimes a machine is infected by malware and will not let you download an anti-malware program to flush out the infection. Emsisoft Emergency Kit is an answer to these emergencies as it is a compact program that fits on a USB stick. In fact, at just 591MB it can even be kept on cloud storage. Most virus removal suites have a quick scan feature, but Emsisoft Emergency Kit has a Smart Scan which burrows into the places where malware likes to hide. This scan is fast and efficient – a perfect place to start. If you need a more in-depth search, a full system scan can be selected in this malware removal tool.
The one drawback is not really a complaint at all. This malware scanner is specifically designed for dealing with critical situations and is not really robust enough to be an everyday anti-malware solution for your PC.
OS: Windows 7, 8, 10
Licensing: Freeware
Our Rating: 6 / 10
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8. Avast Free Antivirus – well-known malware removal tool
Avast is one of the oldest malware protection providers in the industry and continues to be among the standard-setters today. Very well known, Avast offers one of the most robust real-time malware removal tools on the market. Since Avast acquired fellow antivirus giant AVG in 2016, both services use the same anti-malware engine. We compared Avast and AVG on our blog, too.
One of the things we love about Avast is its partitioned protection. The program has a Behavior Shield, File Shield, Mail Shield, and Web Shield. Each of these is protected and you can scan across them all to look for infections. If malware is detected in one area, you can choose to shut it down. For example, if there is an infection in Mail, you can partition this part of the system and continue to use the rest. You can even tell this malicious software removal tool to keep the infected area sealed indefinitely without the program sending you reminder notifications.
There is no doubt that Avast is a feature-rich malware removal tool, but it can also be a muddled one. There are so many settings and features that it is easy to get confused. This makes the program a challenge for beginners with a lack of prior computing experience.
OS: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10
Licensing: Freeware
Our Rating: 6 / 10
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All of these programs will do an excellent job of finding malware and removing it, and most will also prevent you from downloading an infection. However, the best preventative measures can be taken through your own actions. Malware removal tools should be a last line of defense; you may never have to use them if you follow some basic steps when online. You may also check this guide on how to maintain privacy on the Internet.