A newer version of PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition is available.
Features
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Popularity:
#6 in Antivirus Software (out of 292 products)
- Editor's Rating:
- Average User Rating:
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Downloads:
1,496,185
- Requirements:
Windows 2000/XP/Vista
- Limitations:
No limitations
- Date Added:
May 03, 2007
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Previous Versions:
Publisher's description of PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition 3.1
From PC Tools:With PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition you are protected against the most nefarious cyber-threats attempting to gain access to your PC and personal details. Going online without protection against the latest fast-spreading viruses, worms and Trojans can result in infections within minutes. Once infected, the virus will usually attempt to spread itself to your friends, family and associates by accessing your e-mail contacts and networked PCs.
The infection may also allow hackers to access files on your PC, use it to launch attacks against other computers and Websites or to send mass SPAM email. That's why PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition provides world-leading protection, with rapid database updates, OnGuard real-time File, Internet & E-mail protection and comprehensive system scanning to ensure your system remains safe and virus free. PC Tools products are trusted and used by millions of people everyday to protect their home and business computers.
Editor's review of PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition 3.1
4.0 stars
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This novice-friendly freeware antivirus tool still expects a certain level of sophistication from its users. PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition's interface presents a minimum amount of buttons to control the application. Checking your PC status, scanning for viruses, and switching on or off real-time protection are all a matter of clicking a single button. Scan speed and memory requirements are average for applications in this genre. Basic full-scan scheduling is easy to set. The virus database appears comprehensive, and the program automatically downloads updates.
This is the freeware version of the publisher's antivirus tool, but the differences are minor. Updates are downloaded from a slower server with this version, but not so slow as to cause user irritation. E-mail message tagging options are not configurable. E-mail and phone support isn't available. Our big concern is the very basic Help function. Novice users will find it tough to navigate. Intermediate users will wish for better information before tackling any configuration changes. Nonetheless, users looking for an antivirus tool that can be set with default protection and that updates silently will be happy with this freeware.
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User reviews of PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition 3.1
- Average user rating: 3.1 stars out of 307 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 66 user reviewsSee all 66 user reviews
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82 out of 96 people found this review helpful
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition 3.1
"Free But Still Isn't Good Enough"
Pros: Good interface and very easy to use.Updates daily and it's free.
Cons: Database isn't very big, infact it's kind of small.Detection is not very good.I compared this progam with other free antivirus and they were able to detect more virus than this.If you want a good free antivirus then use Avast or Avg.
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5 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition 3.1
"Set it and forget it protection.....except"
Pros: Very well laid out GUI and has large easy to understand and organized buttons. Very reminiscent of SpywareDoctor.I love that fact that you can install very easily and upon activation updates are downloaded and if you are a novice pretty much you can set it and forget it. Auto updates and real-time protection make this a good choice for those of you that hate to tinker with settings and have to customize defaults.Scans are fast and thorough.only one flaw as I describe in the cons:
Cons: This app is quite a resource hog!!! I installed this on one of my older systems with a 333MHZ processor 384 RAM and PC Tools Antivirus slowed my system to a CRAWL my PC was almost unusable. This is a good antivirus program for newer systems only with at least 800MHz processors and above.
Once again I went back to Avast antivirus which is one of the best,and to my delight it works great on older systems even with only 333MHz CPU !!!
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22 out of 30 people found this review helpful
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition 3.1
Pros: To start off, it's free. Secondly, the updates seem frequent enough and are automatic as well. The scan times are extremely fast compared to some other anti-viruses. This caught and quarantined a virus the previous anti-virus I had didn't. Thirdly, any new user will have no trouble using this at all. This installs quite well and fast as well.
Cons: There isn't enough guard options, but I guess you get those int he paid version. Secondly, there isn't an option to just remove any viruses caught, it automatically quarantines them.
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15 out of 23 people found this review helpful
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition 3.1
Pros: Don't know
Cons: The scanning time took way to long, and slowed my computer down.
Free products AVG, Avast and Avira if much better
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1 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Version: PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition 3.1
Pros: PC Tools has had a good reputation for quality software. It's just a shame they spoilt this one. It's free, it has a nice interface, but thats about it.
Cons: If you have an old system, then you should avoid this. It hogged my CPU so much that opening an app (like CCleaner) took around 1 minute instead of my normal 1 second. Hasn't won much awards. Scanning speed a little slower than AVG.
- See all 66 user reviews Write review
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