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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteFor Windows 11, AV-TEST’s August 2026 results give Avast Free Antivirus and AVG Antivirus Free the highest scores among the free editions listed here: 6/6 for protection, performance and usability. Microsoft Defender Antivirus (Consumer), included in the same comparison, scored 6/6 for protection, 5.5/6 for performance and 6/6 for usability. These are independent lab results—not hands-on tests by Freedom251—and they do not establish one universally best choice for every device or user.
Which free antivirus options have directly comparable Windows 11 results?
AV-TEST’s August 2026 Windows home-user table reports scores for specific editions and versions. Its three categories—protection, performance and usability—are each scored out of six. A combined score of at least 17.5 out of 18 earns the lab’s Top Product award.
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| Product and tested version | Protection | Performance | Usability | What the result supports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avast Free Antivirus 26.6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | Top marks in all three AV-TEST categories for this tested Windows 11 edition and version. |
| AVG Antivirus Free 26.6/26.7 | 6/6 | 6/6 | 6/6 | Top marks in all three AV-TEST categories for the tested Windows 11 free edition. |
| Microsoft Defender Antivirus (Consumer) 4.18 | 6/6 | 5.5/6 | 6/6 | Full marks for protection and usability, with a half-point less for performance than the maximum. |
These scores are a useful starting point, not a guarantee of identical results on every PC. They apply to the named Windows 11 products and versions in AV-TEST’s August 2026 assessment; they should not be extended to other operating systems, editions or later versions without matching test evidence. See AV-TEST’s August 2026 Windows 11 results.
How to choose between the top-scoring options
Choose Microsoft Defender if you prefer the built-in option
Defender’s result makes it a credible choice for someone who wants to use the consumer protection option represented in the Windows 11 test without choosing a separately named free antivirus product. AV-TEST gave it full protection and usability scores, and 5.5/6 for performance. The lab scores do not by themselves settle questions such as your preferred interface or feature set.
#1 Best Overall
- 1.1 GHz (boost up to 2.4GHz) Intel Celeron N5030 Quad-Core
Consider Avast Free or AVG Antivirus Free if you want a separate free product
Both named free editions received 18/18 in the AV-TEST table. That result makes either a strong candidate on the measured categories, but it does not demonstrate that either is better for your particular device or needs. Compare the current product’s terms and features before installing, since the score alone does not describe the full user experience.
What other 2026 lab results do—and do not—tell you
AV-Comparatives’ Real-World Protection Test for July–August 2026 used 200 live test cases on an updated Windows 11 Pro 64-bit setup. Products were tested with cloud connectivity and updates allowed, and the factsheet also describes false-alarm testing. This gives useful context for how products were assessed, but the test lineup mixes free and paid editions. A result for a vendor’s paid suite cannot be treated as a result for its free edition. Read the AV-Comparatives factsheet.
Rank #2
- 256 GB SSD of storage.
- Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM
- Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
AV-Comparatives’ March 2026 malware-protection summary placed Avast, AVG, Kaspersky, Norton, Fortect, Bitdefender, G Data, Microsoft, Total Defense and VIPRE in its Advanced+ group. Because that test also includes a mix of editions, the award list is context rather than a direct ranking of free antivirus products. See the March 2026 summary.
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In a separate March/April 2026 Windows 11 assessment, AV-TEST evaluated 14 consumer security packages using more than 12,000 malware samples; 12 of the 14 reached 17.5 or 18 points. Those figures describe that earlier assessment, not the August results above, and should not be combined with them as if they came from one test round. Read AV-TEST’s March/April 2026 article.
Rank #3
- 14" diagonal, 1366x768 resolution, HD BrightView LED, Glossy NON-TOUCH Display
Is free antivirus enough?
The cited AV-TEST results show that free editions can achieve top scores in the lab’s protection category, so a paid plan is not required to reach those particular scores. But a lab result is not a promise against every threat, and these tests do not establish which extra functions a given free or paid tier currently includes. Choose based on the protection you need and verify current edition details directly with the provider rather than assuming a paid-suite feature applies to its free counterpart.
Keeping Windows and third-party applications patched is also part of reducing risk. AV-Comparatives notes that regularly updating software can dramatically decrease the risk posed by exploits. Antivirus should complement, not replace, timely security updates.
Rank #4
- 【Efficient Performance】 Powered by Intel Core i3 processor (2 cores, 4 threads, up to 3.4GHz) with 12GB RAM and 256GB SSD. Handles multitasking, office software, online classes, and HD video streaming smoothly. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Backlit Keyboard & Complete Package】Comes with a cool backlit keyboard. Comes with awebcam, dual stereo speakers (8Ω/1.0W each), DC charger, and user manual – ready for late-night studying, online classes, video conferencing, and daily productivity
- 【Vibrant Display】 15.6-inch Full HD (1920x1080) anti-glare screen with 16:9 aspect ratio delivers crisp images and vivid colors – perfect for studying, watching lectures, or entertainment. Thin-bezel design maximizes viewing area
- 【Fast Connectivity & Expansion】 Equipped with WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2 for stable, high-speed wireless. Features 3 x USB 3.0, HDMI 2.1, Type-C (supports PD3.0 fast charging), and a TF card slot expandable up to 2TB – easily connect external monitors, mice, drives, or expand storage for all your files
- 【Long Battery Life & Portable】 Built-in 11.55V 5000mAh/57.75Wh high-capacity battery delivers approximately 7 hours of mixed-use battery life – enough for a full day of classes and assignments. Lightweight at just 1.63kg (3.6 lbs) and 19.5mm thin, plus a compact packing size – easily slips into a backpack for campus, library, or coffee shop
How to read antivirus test rankings
- Match the edition: A free product’s score is most useful when the lab names that exact free edition, as AV-TEST does for Avast Free Antivirus and AVG Antivirus Free.
- Look beyond protection: AV-TEST reports performance and usability separately, so a protection score alone is not a complete comparison.
- Check the platform and date: The scores above concern Windows 11 and the versions named in the August 2026 table. They do not establish results for macOS, mobile devices or other versions.
- Understand the test setup: AV-Comparatives’ live-case results reflect its stated Windows 11 configuration, test period and allowed cloud access and updates, not every real-world configuration.
For a broader explanation of how another publisher describes its evaluation approach, TechRadar says its antivirus guide considers EICAR files, independent lab comparisons, compatibility, ease of use, support and extra features. That is TechRadar’s account of its own process, not a test conducted for this comparison. Read TechRadar’s guide.
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