Adaware Antivirus Free has been officially discontinued. According to the Adaware Support Portal, the software is no longer available for download, license transfers are unsupported, and virus definition updates have ceased. Trying to install or configure it today will leave your computer unprotected against modern cyber threats.
If you still intend to use legacy versions or want to find a functional free alternative, the following sections detail how the software used to be set up and what you should use instead. Legacy Installation Process
If you possess an old standalone installation file, the process involves these steps: Run the file by double-clicking the installer.
Accept the standard Windows User Account Control notification prompt. Select Start Install for a clean setup.
Select Compatible Mode if another antivirus program is running on your system.
Skip or complete the initial system pre-installation virus scan.
Reboot your computer once the process finishes to ensure all drivers load correctly. Configuring Settings (Historical)
In the legacy version of Adaware Antivirus Free, configurations are highly limited:
Real-Time Protection: Open the application sidebar and look for Real-Time Protection. Toggle it ON to catch threats as files are saved or opened.
Safe Browsing: Navigate to Protection Settings in the top right-hand corner. This option can only be toggled on or off; it cannot be further customized.
Gaming Mode: Toggle this from the main interface or system tray. It mutes notifications and suspends background alerts while playing games or using full-screen apps.
Greyed Out Features: Advanced filters like Web Protection, Email Protection, Network Protection, and Firewall settings require a paid upgrade tier that is no longer accessible. Free Alternative Recommendations
Because Adaware no longer provides definition updates to catch new malware, you should use an active, fully supported free security suite instead: FAQ – Adaware
Leave a Reply