AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is an anti-virus protection tool available free of charge to home users. Rapid virus database updates are available for the lifetime of the product, thereby providing the high level of detection capability.

According to the download statistics on Download.com, AVG Anti-Virus Free is neck-and-neck with Avira; another popular free anti-virus application recommended here on The Smiling Pirate.

The one complaint we hear about the Avira application is that it has an annoying pop-up ad that appears quite often. But we give you step-by-step instructions of how to disable that ad from coming up here.

Ultimately, what we don’t want you to do is waste time contemplating which one you should download. Don’t think about it too long. Get either one of these applications on your system before it’s too late.

Download AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition here

With malicious code surfacing daily, it’s important to have a reliable anti virus software that will combat what these creeps are writing before it wreaks havoc on your machine. Most people drive over to the local Best Buy and pick up the most popular brand thinking that’s the sure thing. That’s not always the case. Although they will work, most of them come with a ton of bells and whistles that you just don’t need. I feel the simpler the better. All of the sophisticated stuff should be on the back end of the anti virus software anyway.

A few months back I mentioned another free anti virus program named Moon Secure Anti Virus that I was using which is more of an open-source program. For me it worked. Some felt that since they never heard of it before it couldn’t possibly be good. Well that’s simply nonsense. Others would rather stick with the more popular programs that can be found on the “most downloaded” list off sites like CNET. (i.e. AVG)

Recently, while at work, a buddy of mine mentioned a company that offered a free version of their anti virus software for non-commercial and home users. The name of the software is Avira AntiVir Personal Edition. I decided to check it out and see what it was all about.

I installed the software and ran an update to get the latest definitions. After I had the latest definitions, I ran a quick scan which was easily accessible from their simple interface. Since the initial install, it has been updating and running without problems. I must mention though that after you install the software you will occasionally be presented with a window that includes information about updating to the Premium Edition. Although this can be an annoyance, keep in mind you are getting a very good piece of software for free that is protecting your computer from potentially harmful items. If the window popped up once in a while I wouldn’t really mind. However, the window pops up every day. Odds are, if I didn’t buy the premium version yesterday I’m probably not getting it today either. They should adjust the time interval of the window pop up on the next release. Other than that, I think the software is solid.

If you download the software and you really like it but the window pop up starts to bother you, we won’t leave you out to dry. Keep reading below the download link and you will find a way to stop the window from opening. It involves some manipulation, but it can be done. (The information below is not endorsed or supported by Avira. It works, but you’re on your own.)

Download Avira AntiVir Personal Edition here

**How to Disable the Annoying Avira Popup Window
Windows XP Pro:

1. Start – Run – Type “secpol.msc”
2. Click on Software Restriction Policy – go to Action (at the top) – Create New Restriction Policies
3. Right-click on Additional Rules (on the right) – Choose New Path Rule

4. Now click Browse and find the “avnotify.exe” file (C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avnotify.exe)

5. Make sure the security level is set to “Disallowed” and click OK.

Done. What you have done is disallowed the execution of “avnotify.exe”, which should suppress the popup window.

Windows XP Home (and Media Center)

1. Boot into Safe Mode (repeatedly press F8 after boot)
2. Login under the Administrator account
3. Navigate to C:\Program File\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avnotify.exe
4. Right-click “avnotify” – Go to Properties – Security – Advanced
5. Look under the Permissions folder for a listing of all the system users. Do the following for all the users:
6. Edit – Traverse Folder / Execute File – Deny – Click OK
7. Reboot (into Normal mode) when finished