avast! 8.x: Installing avast! Free Antivirus

Following system requirements are recommended in order to install and run avast! Free Antivirus 8.x on your computer:

• Microsoft Windows 8 (any Edition, 32-bit or 64-bit), Microsoft Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or higher (any Edition, 32-bit or 64-bit), Microsoft Windows Vista Service Pack 2 or higher (any Edition excl. Starter Edition, 32-bit or 64-bit) or Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 (any Edition, 32-bit or 64-bit).
  
  
• Windows fully compatible PC with Intel Pentium III processor or above (depends on the requirements of used operating system version and other 3rd party software installed).
  
  
• 128 MB RAM or above (depends on the requirements of used operating system version and other 3rd party software installed).
  
  
• 400 MB free space on the hard disk, 700MB if also included Google Chrome will be installed (to download and install).
  
  
• Internet connection (to download and register the product, for automatic updates of program engine and antivirus database).
  
  
• Optimally standard screen resolution not less than 1024 x 768 pixels.
  
  

Note:
avast! 8.x isn't supported (isn't compatible, couldn't be installed and won't run) on DOS, Microsoft Windows 3.x, Microsoft Windows NT 3.x, Microsoft Windows NT 4.0, Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows ME, Microsoft Windows Server operating systems, or any others which aren't specified as supported.

Before you begin the installation of avast! Free Antivirus 8.x please ensure that:

• You are logged in to Windows as Administrator or as a user with administrator permissions (for instructions refer to Windows help or documentation on Microsoft website, or contact your computer/network administrator),
  
  
• All other programs in Windows are closed and not running (for instructions refer to your vendor's documentation),
  
  
• Your previous antivirus software is fully uninstalled (for instructions refer to your vendor's documentation),
  
  

...to prevent avast! Free Antivirus 8.x from being incorrectly installed or aborted unexpectedly. When you are ready, proceed as follows:

1. Firstly download the avast! Free Antivirus 8.x from the avast! website or for example multi-lingual version from direct link:
   
   
   
   ...and save it to your computer, in a location where you will easily be able to locate it. For example save the downloaded setup file avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe on your Windows Desktop.
   
   
2. Locate the downloaded setup file avast_free_antivirus_setup.exe (depending on your system preferences, the file extension may be hidden), on your Windows Desktop for example. Now, in case you are logged in to:
   
   
   • Windows 8, Windows 7 or Windows Vista as a user with administrator permissions, right-click on the setup file and choose 'Run as administrator' from the context menu,
     
     Figure I.
     
     
   • Windows XP as Administrator or as a user with administrator permissions, or your are logged in to Windows 8, Windows 7 or Windows Vista as Administrator (i.e. not a user with administrator permissions), double-click the setup file to begin the installation process,
     
     Figure II.
     
     
   ...and if prompted by User Account Control dialog for permissions, click 'Yes' (or 'Continue' in Windows Vista) to begin the installation process.
   
   
   Figure III.
   
   
3. For a few seconds you will briefly see the setup process copy the installation files to your computer.
   
   Figure IV.
   
   
4. When avast! Setup Wizard starts you will see a welcome screen. Preferred language for the installation can be changed by clicking on the current language shown on the top right corner. Before continuing with the installation of avast! Free Antivirus 8.x please read the User License Agreement.
   
   Figure V.
   
   
5. At the bottom of the welcome screen you can choose whether you wish to install Google Chrome. By ticking the checkbox 'Make Google Chrome my default browser', you can also select, if it should be opened as your default web browser when accessing the Internet. For details, please read enclosed Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
   
   
   Figure VI.
   
   
6. Then choose what type of installation do you preffer:
   
   
   • Express Install
     
     
   • Custom Install
     
     

7. Click the 'Express Install' button in the middle of the welcome screen to proceed with default installation of avast! Free Antivirus 8.x in preferred language, and with minimal user interaction during the setup process.
   
   Figure VII. A
   
   
8. The avast! Setup Wizard will create a system restore point, then will display an installation progress bar,
   
   Figure VIII. A
   
   ...and afterwards will perform a quick scan of your system. Depending upon the speed of your machine, it may take a few minutes to complete.
   
   Figure IX. A
   
   
9. After the installation is sucessfully completed click 'Finish' to exit avast! Setup Wizard.
   
   Figure X. A
   
   

avast! Free Antivirus 8.x should be then installed on your computer and ready to use. But it works for 30 days in trial mode after installation. During this period you need to register to get your free license key to continue to use it and stay protected. For more information and detailed step-by-step instructions please read the following article:

• avast! 8.x: Registering avast! Free Antivirus
  
  

avast! user interface is accessible via orange ball icon in your system tray or orange shortcut icon on your Windows Desktop.

7. Click the Custom install link to proceed with advanced installation for users preferring possibility to choose destination directory where will be avast! Free Antivirus 8.x installed and which program components and features to install.
   
   Figure VII. B
   
   
8. On the next screen you can change default Destination directory by entering a full path where you want to install avast! Free Antivirus 8.x, or you can click on the button marked '...' on the right, and locate the installation folder by browsing your computer via the navigation dialog. When the path is specified, or if you want to keep the default, click 'Next'.
   
   Figure VIII. B
   
   
9. Besides 'Typical' and 'Minimum' installation with predefined Configuration, you can also select 'Custom' on the next screen, where it is possible to add or remove individual program components and features in a checkbox tree. Then click 'Next' to continue.
   
   Figure IX. B
   
   
10. On the Installation information screen check your setup configuration before proceeding with the installation. In case you missed something, just use 'Back' button for reconfiguration, if you've finished configuration click 'Next',
    
    Figure X. B
    
    
11. The avast! Setup Wizard will create a system restore point, then will display an installation progress bar,
    
    Figure XI. B
    
    ...and afterwards will perform a quick scan of your system. Depending upon the speed of your machine, it may take a few minutes to complete.
    
    Figure XII. B
    
    
12. After the installation is sucessfully completed click 'Finish' to exit avast! Setup Wizard.
    
    Figure XIII. B
    
    

avast! Free Antivirus 8.x should be then installed on your computer and ready to use. But it works for 30 days in trial mode after installation. During this period you need to register to get your free license key to continue to use it and stay protected. For more information and detailed step-by-step instructions please read the following article:

• avast! 8.x: Registering avast! Free Antivirus
  
  

avast! user interface is accessible via orange ball icon in your system tray or orange shortcut icon on your Windows Desktop.

avast! Free Antivirus 8.x

Operating systems:

Microsoft Windows 8 / Pro / Enterprise
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Basic / Home Premium / Professional / Enterprise / Ultimate
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic / Home Premium / Business / Enterprise / Ultimate
Microsoft Windows XP Home / Professional / Media Center Edition