Free Security Software for Windows
Tools that keep your passwords, files and accounts under your control. Each download link goes to the developer's official site.
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Avast Free Antivirus Antivirus
Free real-time antivirus with web, mail and ransomware shields, plus regular prompts to upgrade.
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Malwarebytes Malware Scanner
On-demand scanner that finds and removes malware already on your PC; real-time protection is paid.
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F-Secure Total Security Suite
Finnish security suite with antivirus, VPN, password manager and identity monitoring; 30-day trial.
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Trend Micro Maximum Security Antivirus Suite
Antivirus suite for up to 5 devices with ransomware protection, Pay Guard, parental controls and passwords.
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Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus
Lightweight cloud-based antivirus, now sold as Webroot Essentials, with web filtering and a password manager.
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AdGuard for Windows Ad Blocker
System-wide ad blocker for Windows that filters ads, trackers and phishing in all browsers and apps.
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Bitwarden Password Manager
Open-source cloud password manager with a free plan for unlimited passwords on all your devices.
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KeePassXC Password Manager
Offline password manager that keeps your vault in one encrypted file.
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1Password Password Manager
Paid cloud password manager with Watchtower alerts, passkeys, Travel Mode and a 14-day free trial.
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Keeper Password Manager Password Manager
Zero-knowledge password manager with Windows Hello unlock, passkeys, secure sharing and emergency access.
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Enpass Password Manager
Password manager that keeps your encrypted vault in your own cloud or offline, free for up to 25 items.
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Sticky Password Password Manager
Password manager with autofill, local Wi-Fi sync and a free single-device mode after the Premium trial.
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Norton 360 Security Suite
Gen Digital's security suite with antivirus, VPN, password manager, cloud backup and scam protection.
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McAfee Total Protection Antivirus Suite
McAfee's antivirus suite with web protection, a VPN, password manager and identity monitoring.
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Kaspersky Standard Antivirus
Kaspersky's entry-level paid antivirus with a firewall, payment protection and PC clean-up tools.
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ESET NOD32 Antivirus Antivirus
ESET's lightweight paid antivirus for Windows and macOS with Gamer mode and a 30-day free trial.
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Bitdefender Antivirus Free Antivirus
Lightweight free real-time antivirus for Windows with few pop-ups; needs a Bitdefender account.
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AVG AntiVirus Free Antivirus
Free real-time antivirus for home use with web and email protection; paid upgrades are pushed often.
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Avira Free Security Antivirus
Free antivirus bundled with a capped VPN, password manager, software updater and PC cleanup tools.
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Malwarebytes AdwCleaner Adware Remover
Free portable scanner from Malwarebytes that removes adware, browser hijackers and unwanted programs.
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Nmap Network Scanner
Free network scanner for host discovery, port scanning and service detection, with the Zenmap GUI.
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Angry IP Scanner IP Scanner
Fast open-source IP and port scanner that lists live hosts, hostnames, MAC addresses and open ports.
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Advanced IP Scanner Network Scanner
Free LAN scanner that lists network devices, opens shared folders and connects via RDP or Radmin.
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NetLimiter Bandwidth Limiter
Per-app bandwidth limiter, traffic monitor and connection blocker for Windows; 28-day trial.
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VeraCrypt Disk Encryption Tool
Disk encryption that creates encrypted containers and encrypts USB drives, partitions or the system drive.
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KeePass Password Manager
Original offline password manager for Windows with auto-type, key files and a large plugin library.
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Proton Pass Password Manager
End-to-end encrypted password manager from Proton with unlimited free passwords and hide-my-email aliases.
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NordPass Password Manager
Password manager from the makers of NordVPN with a free plan for unlimited passwords on one device.
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RoboForm Password Manager
Password manager and form filler with a free plan for unlimited passwords on a single device.
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Cryptomator Cloud Encryption Tool
Encrypts files before they reach Dropbox, OneDrive or Google Drive; open source and free on desktop.
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AxCrypt File Encryption Tool
File encryption tool with AES-256, key sharing and secured folders; the free plan encrypts 2 files a month.
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Ente Auth 2FA Authenticator
Free open-source 2FA code app with optional end-to-end encrypted sync between phone, PC and web.
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Proton Authenticator Authenticator App
Free open-source 2FA code app from Proton that works without an account and syncs codes if you want.
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Gpg4win Encryption Suite
Official GnuPG package for Windows to encrypt and sign files and email with OpenPGP and S/MIME.
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Eraser File Shredder
Open-source file shredder that overwrites files, folders and free disk space so data cannot be undeleted.
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BleachBit Disk Cleaner
Open-source disk cleaner that deletes junk files and browser traces and shreds files beyond recovery.
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PrivaZer Privacy Cleaner
Free deep cleaner that finds traces of your PC activity and overwrites them so they cannot be recovered.
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simplewall Firewall
Tiny open-source firewall that keeps apps offline until you allow them, using built-in Windows filtering.
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ZoneAlarm Free Firewall Firewall
Two-way firewall from Check Point that controls which programs go online and blocks bots and intrusions.
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GlassWire Network Monitor
Visual network monitor showing which apps use the internet; free plan keeps 24 hours of history.
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TinyWall Firewall
Free open-source firewall front-end that blocks by default, without pop-ups or extra drivers.
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Safing Portmaster Application Firewall
Open-source application firewall and network monitor with tracker blocking and secure DNS.
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Windows Firewall Control Firewall
Free tray tool from Malwarebytes that adds outbound alerts and four filtering modes to Windows Firewall.
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O&O ShutUp10++ Privacy Tool
Portable tool that turns off Windows 10 and 11 telemetry and data-sharing settings from one list.
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W10Privacy Privacy Tweaker
Freeware tweaker that gathers Windows 10 and 11 privacy, telemetry, Edge and service settings in one window.
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O&O AppBuster App Remover
Free portable tool from O&O Software that removes, and restores, the built-in apps of Windows 10 and 11.
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Sandboxie-Plus Sandbox
Sandbox tool that runs programs in isolation so their file and registry changes can be thrown away.
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Emsisoft Emergency Kit Malware Scanner
Portable dual-engine malware scanner for cleaning infected PCs; free for private use, no installation.
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Emsisoft Anti-Malware Antivirus
Lightweight paid antivirus with a dual-engine scanner, behavior blocker and anti-ransomware layer.
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HitmanPro Malware Scanner
Sophos' portable second-opinion malware scanner; scanning is free, removal needs a license.
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RKill Malware Process Killer
Free BleepingComputer tool that stops running malware processes so your antivirus can clean the PC.
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Trend Micro HouseCall Virus Scanner
Free on-demand malware scanner from Trend Micro that runs next to your existing antivirus.
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ConfigureDefender Defender Settings Tool
Free portable tool that exposes hidden Microsoft Defender settings and applies preset protection levels.
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Simple DNSCrypt Encrypted DNS Tool
Open-source Windows front end for dnscrypt-proxy that encrypts DNS lookups and can block domains.
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Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool Malware Scanner
Free portable on-demand scanner from Kaspersky that cleans an already infected Windows PC.
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ESET Online Scanner Malware Scanner
Free on-demand malware scanner from ESET that runs next to your antivirus and can recheck monthly.
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Microsoft Safety Scanner Malware Scanner
Microsoft's free portable malware scanner for a one-off cleanup; each download expires after 10 days.
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Spybot – Search & Destroy Anti-Spyware
Veteran free anti-spyware scanner with browser immunization, startup tools and a rootkit scan.
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SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition Anti-Spyware
Free on-demand spyware and malware scanner for Windows; real-time protection is in the paid Pro X.
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360 Total Security Antivirus
Free antivirus bundled with PC cleanup, speedup, sandbox and patch tools, from China's Qihoo 360.
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Panda Dome Free Antivirus
Cloud-based free antivirus for Windows with USB protection and a rescue kit, plus paid Dome upgrades.
