Windows 7 is vulnerable to viruses, threats such as spyware, trojans, and ransomware, which necessitate using antivirus software to protect the system. Besides paid versions, many of the best free antivirus for Windows 7 offer top-notch features. It is important to get thorough information about each antivirus to choose the one that best meets your needs.
Top Free Antivirus for Windows 7 in UK
Some of the best free antivirus programs for Windows 7, based on their specification and features, are as follows:
Avast

Avast ranks among the most efficient free antivirus software for Windows 7 due to its comprehensive security features. Its free version is enough to protect your Windows 7 against potential intruders. In its free version, Avast offers real-time protection, web and behavioural shields, smart Scan, and the ability to quarantine infected devices. due to these features, Avast remains the best free android antivirus for UK users, offering holistic protection against cyber threats.
Breakdown of Free Features of Avast Antivirus for Windows 7
- Real-time protection continuously scans files, applications, and running processes for viruses, malware, spyware, ransomware, and other threats as they are accessed, opened, or added to your PC.
- Web shield blocks malicious websites, unsafe downloads, and protects against phishing attempts.
- Behaviour shield monitors applications for suspicious behaviour that may indicate malware.
- File Shield scans any file you open or download to ensure it's safe.
- A comprehensive, one-click scan that checks for security weaknesses
- Isolates potentially harmful files from the rest of the operating system in a secure environment, so they cannot cause any damage.
- A rescue disk allows you to create an external bootable device that can be used to deep-scan and restore an infected PC when Windows won't start normally.
- Avast Assistant is an AI-powered assistant that provides real-time guidance and helps you identify potential online scams or phishing messages.
AVG

AVG antivirus offers many advanced features at no cost for Windows 7, helping keep your operating system safe from potential malware threats. With built-in features such as real-time malware protection, web protection, behavioural shield, and advanced scanning options, you get holistic protection for Windows 7. such features make AVG one of the best free antivirus for UK users.
Breakdown of Free Features of AVG Antivirus for Windows 7
- Real-time malware protection continuously scans files to detect and block viruses, spyware, ransomware, Trojans, and rootkits as they emerge.
- Web shield scans web pages for signs of untrustworthiness and warns you of unsafe links.
- Behaviour shield monitors installed applications for suspicious activity, alerting users to potential threats or unknown malware that relies on unusual behaviour to cause damage to their system
- Smart Scan scanning Options to check the health of your PC
- File Shredder securely overwrites a file's data before deletion, preventing data recovery tools from retrieving sensitive information.
Bitdefender

Bitdefender remainsbest free antivirus program for windows 7 due to its rich features. Its core features, such as real-time threat detection, anti-phishing, website rating, automatic updates, and cloud-based scanning, make Bitdefender one of the best free antivirus programs for Windows 7. Also, bitdefender is the best antivirus with VPN, offering robust protection to users.
Breakdown of Free Features of Bitdefender Antivirus for Windows 7
- Real-time threat protection continuously scans and blocks viruses, spyware, and other malware as they appear.
- Anti-phishing protects against fraudulent websites that try to steal personal information, such as passwords and credit card details.
- Behaviour-based detection learns your PC's normal behaviour and flags suspicious changes in real time.
- On-Demand and on-access malware scanning allow you to scan files on demand and automatically scan them as they are accessed.
Kaspersky

Kaspersky is the best free antivirus for Windows 7, offering versatile features to enhance your operating system's security. Features such as real-time detection, malware scanning, and antivirus-safe browsing are unique to Kaspersky.
Breakdown of Free Features of Kaspersky Antivirus for Windows 7
- Real-time antivirus protection scans and protects your computer against viruses, Trojans, worms, spyware, adware, and other malware, using cloud-based data.
- Malware Scanning lets you run various scans, including quick, full, custom, and removable drive scans, to detect and remove malicious programs.
- Web Antivirus intercepts and blocks the execution of dangerous scripts on websites and monitors all web traffic, preventing access to known malicious sites.
- Anti-phishing checks URLs to determine if they are on a list of phishing websites and blocks access to sites that attempt to steal your personal data or identity.
- A system watcher monitors for suspicious activity and can roll back changes made to the operating system by malicious programs.
- Kaspersky Security Network Participation allows the sharing of threat data with Kaspersky's cloud service to provide immediate, cloud-assisted protection against new threats. These features make Kaspersky is one of the best antivirus for small businesses in UK, ensuring robut protection in times of cyber threats.
Malwarebytes

Makwarebytes is a top free antivirus software for windows 7 as it offers robust protection at no cost. Its key features are manual on-demand scanning, malware removal, a browser guard extension, digital footprint analysis, and smart scanning features distinguishing malwarebytes from other antivirus software. Hence, malwarebytes is one of the best antivirus software for UK users.
Breakdown of Free Features of Malwarebytes Antivirus for Windows 7
- Manual on-demand scanning runs scans to identify and remove existing malware, viruses, spyware, adware, Trojans, and Potentially Unwanted Programs.
- Malware removal detected threats on an infected PC after the Scan completed.
- Detected items are moved to a quarantine area, allowing users to review and manage them before permanent removal.
- A browser guard extension is available for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox that helps block ads, trackers, and malicious/phishing websites while browsing.
- The digital footprint scan app includes a basic scan feature that reveals whether your email address has appeared in known data breaches.
FAQs
Does Windows 7 Still Need Antivirus Protection?
Yes. Since Microsoft no longer provides security updates for Windows 7, your device is more vulnerable to online attacks. Usingbest free antivirus protection for windows 7ensures continued protection against malware, ransomware, and phishing threats.
Will Free Antivirus Slow Down my Windows 7 PC?
No, top rated free antivirus for windows 7 are optimised for performance. The best free antivirus for Windows 7 runs quietly in the background, offering real-time protection without affecting your computer’s speed or performance.
Can I Use Windows Defender on Windows 7?
Windows Defender on Windows 7 offers only basic protection and is no longer updated. It’s highly recommended to install the best free antivirus for Windows 7 from a trusted provider for stronger, up-to-date security features.
In today’s digital landscape, protecting your outdated system is more critical than ever. Choosing the best free antivirus for Windows 7 helps secure your personal files, prevent malware infections, and extend the life of your PC.
For stronger multi-layered security, you can combine antiviruses with antivirus with password manager and top AI security tools.
This will ensure credit card encryption, enhanced cybersecurity and cloud security and protect against various types of phishing attacks.
Stay tuned to Virtual Codes Vault for more insights!