The new version is big and bloated. AVG 8 caused me to leave AVG after many happy years when it was much lighter on system resources.

ShadyPghGuy

Been using it about a week now.
Much nicer looking.
The update process works better no more not connecting.

nXt

I haven't had a chance to use the new version yet, however I am a huge fan of the previous releases. Grisoft makes great antivirus software and updates often.

I recommend it as a free alternative to everyone I know.

sonar_un

Starting to wonder whether I need AV at all. Who's using anything I wonder?

zarathustra

I run AVG... Seems to work well..

I need to tweek it so it doesn't do a full scan at start up.. usually I am trying to use the system and I don't like it running, but even when it is it does eat alot of resources...

Just the HDDs go nuts while they get scanned..

DocGratis

Oh, I didnt mention that I turn mail scanning off, since I scan for viruses at the server level. The popups were annoying me. (Note to self: Find out who invented popups and whack them in the shins.)

Lazarus

I use AVG 7.5.x for all of my machines. Glad to see a new version is out. Ive never had any real issues with it. However, the interface was a bit clunky. I look forward to updating.

Lazarus

If I didn't use Gmail for all my emailing, I'd use AVG, but since I do, I prefer Avira's AntiVir, which, by the way, has seemed to stop displaying the pop-up ad for their premium version during each update, which was a deal-breaker for some in the past.

SenorDunda

I'm about to delete it. Can't connect to AIM mail and IMAP mail, so I had to discontinue the mail scanner. Then, the link scanner fouled up Firefox speeds. Time to check out something else.

Stormbringer005

This version has some new features, but it takes too much resource. I am using clamwin now.

lhcomment

I really did not care for the new interface.

A shell scan called up the main window. It doesn't seem to autoclose, takes much longer then it did with avg 7.5, and closing the scan window simply popped up the main window again

YMMV, but for now it's back to avg 7.5 for me

LordDaMan

Anybody know if you can specify "safe" files in the new version. I had to leave AVG because it kept quarantining my nDroid. [www.codenite.com]

SciotoSurfer

@SenorDunda: Avira (latest release - 8.1) still pops up ads for the premium version on my desktop, but it's way better than the AVG 8 bloatware was when I tried it last week (having uninstalled Avira on my laptop a few weeks ago). The link scanner slowed browsing way too much, and it slowed my entire system on top of that. I thought I'd give it a try because CybernetNews said it was much improved over previous versions.

joelena

You can turn off the link scanner, BTW. I'm pretty satisfied with AVG 8, having gotten very tired of the constant pop ups when updating in v7.

I've tried just about everything out there from Clamwin to Avast, etc., and for some reason I end up at AVG again.

I suspect a lot of the problems are stuff that should have been fixed in beta, but will take a while to get updated out.

I don't notice any slowdown or system resource drain, but I'm on a new C2D with plenty to spare. I honestly don't know how much v7 was using by comparison. Anybody?

pdok

:( Don't know what to use any more. GAH... I'm too poor for NOD32, so I guess I'm going to need a free one. Avast or AVG. grr...

ph15h needs a nu job

After reading the reviews, I'll stick to 7.5, If ain't broken why fix it?
Also for 7.5 I put the update part of the program on manual, so it does not load with Windows, it starts up with no problems when I click update.

tonynyc

I agree that the Interface for AVG 8 is excellent. However, it is a drain on system resources. My system took an extra 15 seconds to boot and that's unacceptable. Also, deactivating email scanner and the link scanner which I don't need causes the AVG tray icon to show an irritating 'everything is not fine and running well' icon.

Overall, its good, but it can do with less memory usage.

skylive

I use Kaspersky 6. Very unintrusive; it monitors everything that happens to my PC and pops up when unwantedware is detected, asking what to do. Saved me from infected external drives a couple of times.

jfty.009260

I've been using AVG 8 Pro for a few days now, seems to be doing great. Unfortunately it deleted some crucial windows applications instead of repairing them in the process of removing the parite virus. Over 3,000 infected executables... ouch.

jamisonfitz

After install, received several bluescreens (IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL 0x804F8964 or 0x804F8913). Uninstalled, and bluescreens ceased. YMMV.
...and Avast! utilized less CPU and memory.

mmbb

OK, According to AVG, the Firefox Extension "prevents you from accidently becoming infected by drive-by downloads and other exploits, ensuring the web pagaes you visit are sat at the only time that really matter-when you are about to click on the link."

Sounds intrusive but it is EASILY disabled from the program itself (disable the LinkScanner component).

Killerfocus

OK, a few things
1) As far as I can tell, AVG8 is NOT a resource hog. It doesn't use up a lot more memory than version 7.
2) The interface is very nice (especially on vista). It has a native look and feel to it (similar to windows defender).
3) It automatically installed a firefox plugin called AVG Safe Search although I cant tell you what it does since it isn't compatible with firefox 3.0 beta 5

Killerfocus

It looks nicer but it trashed all of my DVD writing efforts.

Removed it and switched to Avast.

Fras

Good ol AVP...I mean AVX...I mean AVG.

I've been using AVP/AVX/AVG for a good six years AT LEAST and this is one of the best programs out there. I tried out 8, and like many others have stated, it's broken right now - maybe when they fix this version I'll keep it on my system, but in the mean time, I'm going back to 7.5

TheManator

I used to use AVG back in the day... but I had hassles with the free version not actually REMOVING the viruses. I don't know if thats still the case.

Recently I use Avast on my pc and I tend to prefer it. Though on my GF's slower laptop I still installed AVG (older version).

The Avast update confirmations make me feel safer... even if they do occasionally scare me when I leave the volume up too high.

soul_grind

works fine, the link scanner doesn't slow down browsing (as it only works in Google/Yahoo's search result pages). Doesn't affect startup times or slow the system down either. Good update.

BUT.. one thing it does do, is take aaagggesss to scan executables. If I open a folder full of exe files (say, Filehippo downloads), it takes anything up to a minute for the icons to turn from default to whatever-they-are. I think it's because AVG is checking them. Not a bad thing, but it was instant in AVG7. This needs fixing asap, but I'll give it a while before I start looking around for alternatives

Al Iguana

Here's another vote for Avast. I never could get used to AVG's Win 3.1 interface and moved on long ago.

davezatz

I'm a long time user and preacher of AVG, but this new version has me considering other options. It seems a lot heaver on the system, and the new interface is quite annoying. Also, it has a LinkScanner that automatically adds a little icon by all Google searches (probably other things as well). It's enabled by default, but there is an option to turn it off. However, if you turn it off, then the icon on the tray turns into a red exclamation mark all the time. Thus I couldn't see a real alarm if I needed to. In all, they might have very well lost a long time user and spreader of AVG.

Peter200lx

I used to use avg in the past too but I didnt like the interface, plus the detection rate for it is much lower than the other free alternatives. I havn't, however, tried the new 8.0.
I like avast more, nicer interface, greater detection since last time I checked, and all in all a better program. If I didn't use avast I would probably go with Avira Anti-vir which I think is much better than AVG too.

mocho22

I used the beta of AVG 8 for awhile, and AVG 8 Free since it came out. I haven't noticed any problems. I think complete scans might be a bit faster.

I need AV because I work on other people's computers. Connect someone else's hard drive, or pop my USB key into their machine. Too much junk out there.

davebarboza

I recently switched off of Avast to AVG after using it for some time. Don't get me wrong, Avast is good but the lack of scheduled scanning always irritated me about it. I have noticed no resource consumption above the norm and it doesn't slow my machine down. All in all it seems a great step up from the previous versions.

holdthephone

I'm running v7.x on the girl's computer, but for serious computer users take the plunge and pay for nod32. It's simply the best, least resource hoggish program in its class. Kaspersky is a reasonable second option although not nearly as easy on resources. AVG is reasonable for the casual computer user.

philosopher_dog

Been using AVG for a very long time. Was happy with 7.5. Trying 8 now, and it does seem to take up more memory than 7.5 did. I did get a BSOD and AVG 8 was the last thing I installed. Got a DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL; Stop 0x000000D1; inspect.sys error. Might be conflicting with my comodo firewall, not sure.

sumnumbnutz

For those who the Avira Antivir popup is to much

[www.elitekiller.com]

Works like a chram.

sunnydayz

I have AVG 8, and its great. The new interface took little time to get used to, its not all the different than 7. Daily scheduled scans is a godsend, and has caught plenty of viruses. I had Spybot S&D, but AVG 8 also scans for adware which renders Spybot irrelevant on my system. It keeps my system safe and I highly recommend it.

rdldr1

@ShadyPghGuy: can anyone else give details about system resources? Thats my biggest issue. does it really use more?

GrayBird

@Peter200lx: On AVG 7.x, there was a way to tell it to "ignore faulty state" of whatever component you had disabled. I actually don't run the on-access scanner, so I had it disabled. It always gave the same exclamation point warning until I told it to ignore the component. Perhaps there is the same option in 8.0?

schwnj

I like AVG a lot. Been using it for years with no trouble whatsoever.

They like to bury the free editions, however, so if you're looking for 8.0 gratis, the link is:

[dw.com.com]

Greg.Rowler

although you have to pay for it, I think Eset Nod32 is a superior alternative to all anti-virus applications. Doesn't AVG fail to catch viruses in the wild more-so than other products?

evangelistc01

I have yet to try the new version, as I've heard many complaints of it being bloated. However, I am about to try it, thanks to my old friend [www.tweakguides.com] Specifically, check out the TweakGuides Tweaking Companion section - [www.tweakguides.com] .

The latest version of the XP guide (page 50) details how to setup the new version of AVG, in order to reduce the bloat back to the level we were all comfortable with before! It even goes on to suggest how to set up AVG so that it simply waits patiently to be called upon, rather than churning away constantly.

The guide includes tips like how to disable: 1) the link scanner, 2) all background services (resident shield, auto update, etc), 3) email scanner, 4) et cetera... Following these tips brings AVG back to the way we all know and love!

For my two cents, it's definitely worth a read!

USBman

System resources system resources! When you talk about this please list your resources so as to give us a better idea of bloating.

I have an older Vaio running a 750 processor, maxed-out at about 356MB of ram. I know bloat!

By far the best AV is Nod32. Which I was running (hacking) until their last (bloated) upgrade. Now I have to pay. Enter AVG 7.5.

Even on my outdated machine 7.5 runs fast and has caught many viral bugs. AVG 8.0 has me interested but given my resources I feel I need to stay with 7.5.

Nylo

After years of use I just got rid of AVG. I found Avast to be less intrusive.

proficiovera

I've used AVG for years without a hitch, but this version has definitely slowed things down and caused stutters in a number of games. It's too aggressive. Uninstalled it. Hopefully, I still have 7.5 somewhere to reinstall.

Agular

@sunnydayz: Thanks for the tip. Going to try it now.

wildeny

There are ways to install it without the security toolbar and link scanner, as well as ways to tweak the exceptions. See my post here for more details:
[thortweak.blogspot.com]

Thor

What do y'all think about AVG 7.5's warning that updates would not be available for 7.5 after the end of May? That was enough to make me look into AVG 8 free, but I, too, don't like the link scanner. Like skylive, I like even less how turning off the link scanner throws an alert in my system tray. As Peter200lx said, I want to see actual problems there, not alerts for program "features" I've disabled.

I'm checking out the TweakGuide recommended above, but I'm preparing to jump ship to Avast.

Kelly42

Kelly42 / Peter200lx: AVG is a great, but I abandoned them when they warned they would not longer be free. I now prefer nod32 by ESET. Here are some eset coupons. Nod32 has been great, and it only bugs me when I have a virus issue!

jonathanl

It seems many are complaining on AVG's high memory consumption.

Shall give it a miss.

hongjun

Well, my biggest gripe with the linkscanner is fixable: [grandstreamdreams.blogspot.com]
What you have to do if you already have AVG installed is go to the install file and run this instruction from the command line:
avg_free_stf_*.exe /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSurf /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSearch
Of course replaceing the * with the appropriate number of your install file. This has indeed fixed the link scanner """feature""".
So now I just have to see if the resource use is too bad. Being able to to remove that has made me willing to give AVG 8 a try, although I'd still be very leary about suggesting it to others as you have to run a command line modifier for it to work as I'd want.

Peter200lx

The new version looks much better. But I right away noticed that my computer slowed down on launching every program. The slow performance is unlike their previous versions, and made me leave AVG now. I don't use any AV now coz I pretty much know what I'm doing with my computer...

kzapth245

@skylive:

Linkscanner - I'm super protective of my Firefox install. I hate it when something installs something that impacts another program without warning.

Email Scanner - Gmail. Not needed.

The fact that I'm constantly "warned" about disabling the linkscanner caused me to uninstall immediately. Back to Clamwin I think.

TourPro

I tried AVG a while back. Here is another vote for AVAST.

ErikH

Do NOT buy NOD32. Their virus removal has gotten insanely poor for a while now. I repair computers infected that had NOD32 daily! Sure it is light on system ressources, but that's no good if you don't detect anything.

You DO need antivirus, no matter how savvy you are. There will be that one time where something you think clean will infect you and problems will follow.

It seems AVIRA yields good results these days. Far better than AVG.

If you have a fast computer, kaspersky is a bit heavy but has great results. You can get licenses real cheap on ebay too.

holyspidoo

After reading this article, I decided to give AVG a try. It failed to install complaining that there some other anti-virus software active which was preventing AVG from installing. Then I tried Avast and it installed fine.

There was no anti-virus software running other than Windows Defender which is not really an anti-virus program. Anyways, Avast installed so that is what I used.

arungupta

I assumed this new version would be more bloated. Actually I was thinking of what Adaware did recently and assumed AVG was goting to do the same by adding more "ads" into the software. And they did.

After putting the install of 8.0 off until I saw this article on Lifehacker, I did install Friday. Now that Sunday is here I am about to try out Avast everyone is talking about. I have used AVG for years like many others. This new 8.0 is making my new laptop slow and like others I di not care for the link checking nor the fact they kinda of are forcing you use it with the tray icon alert.

Lifehacker let me know when AVG changes their new ways. :)

anthonylitz

So I have McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.5i, and it works great - I think. I get it for free from my university.

Question is, is AVG Free Anti-Virus 2008 better than what I have now, or is that a stupid question (having something most have to pay for over something free)?

- PR-0927

PR-0927

@Peter200lx:

Peter, thanks for this; it works perfectly, even removing the Firefox addon for AVG8.

DWHarrison

Comment on AVG Free Anti-Virus 2008 Released, Much Improved Have used AVG free for years and am disappointed in the effects of version 8 on the system such as booting speed, resource drain and unwanted menu display changes (such as start menu). Installed version 8 under both Vista and XP SP2 with disappointing results versus version 7.5. Was heartbroken initially, because version 7.5 worked so well and smoothly. Switched to BitDefender - the low price is worth the elimination of headaches.

VanceCabacha

Comment on AVG Free Anti-Virus 2008 Released, Much Improved (from the grisoft.com FAQ) If you wish to install AVG 8.0 Free Edition without the LinkScanner component, or uninstall this component from your program, please proceed as follows: a.. Download the AVG 8.0 Free Edition installation package from our website. b.. Run the installation with the parameters /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSurf /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSearch. One way to achieve this is to: a.. save the AVG Free installation file directly to disk C:\ b.. open menu Start -> Run c.. type c:\avg_free_stf_*.exe /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSurf /REMOVE_FEATURE fea_AVG_SafeSearch c.. The installation will be started, and AVG will be installed without the LinkScanner component.

WynneBabalistic

IT does take more resources...it does look nicer (but who really cares about that? - i like AVG because I don't have to look at it!)

I did have one problem though, I had to do a system restore after installing it! so that PC went straight back to V7. I also managed to install the toolbar for firefox...which just seems to slow things down, and I don't know how to get rid of it (I can disable it though)

falter

bloat? havnt noticed, what i have noticed is that avg no longer hangs(and slows the comp) when updating upon login . go 8.0!

ads? are you hallucinating? where?

disabling linkscanner? its a firefox extension... disable it via firefox. inept much?

dont like the UI? i guess thats a personal issue but seemingly silly to include in an assessment of the AVs function.

all in all i actually LIKE the UI (im using vista stripped of all visual effects, looks like win 98 grey taskbar all around)

no more hanging on logins because the old version wants to update cuz i dont like to leave my computer on 24/7 is a great thing. i actually had to 'fix' a few computers that were 'slow' due to this. the fix? upgrading it to 8.0 this is the most significant thing for me because the virus update for 7.5 would take EONS to connect sometimes interrupting a game, but most commonly fubaring my login.

scans take so much less time. SO much less time.

A+ for this software, i only hope it continues to be free indefinitely.

gdean

I tried AVG 8. Forced me to uninstall 7.5. Then wouldn't install. Tried to go back to 7.5. Wouldn't install. Two hours wasted, downloading and trying to install. I switched to another program.

JTB

Well , the free world is going broad, but still there is problem in virus and all the nasty things. AVG is so-so , sometimes paid doesnt work , how can free ?? ya sometimes it removes some serious virus but gives u problem too.

I prefer kaspersky KIS , i dont have problem from many months which runs on my HPDV 6500 vista enabled laptop.

Choosing a best antivirus is the great solution to be safe from spyware, adware, spam, dialers and so on.

pracas

My experience is exactly the same as the previous poster's. I am about to try out Avast. AVG 7.5 was great, worked in the background without bothering you. Version 8 is heavy on resources and slows down operations like using windows explorer, when it seems to scan every file in the directory you're browsing. Also doesn't allow you to turn off features without getting the warning sign in the tray icon.

mudroads

@Peter200lx:
Comment on AVG Free Anti-Virus 2008 Released, Much Improved I 've noticed another way of disabling LinkScanner (if you use Firefox at least) is to disable it from within the Firefox add-ons menu. That way you stop the LinkScanner plugin running and AVG is none the wiser.

SheetalClymene

I thought the last version of AVG was excellent - no problems. Version 8 is a real dud. The who system has slowed down massively. If I like use windows explorer to browse a folder, it seems to scan every file in that folder, so that it takes about 15 seconds for the files to display. Likewise opening an application. I'm going to try and find version 7.5 and reinstall it. At the moment I'm forced to turn off the resident guard because it makes things so slow. Also annoying is the inability to ignore warnings, as documented in the help file, but not present in the program! Give it a miss!

mudroads