Downloading, Installing, and Registering the free avast! HOME antivirus software for Windows
Posted by ljfrench on 07/02/2009 at 14:49 UTC
Entropical Solutions has been recommending the use of avast! antivirus to our Windows-based customers for many years. avast! is a balanced antivirus solution offering real time protection, frequent virus database updates, and an unintrusive interface. Compare that to other solutions from Symantec or Mcaffee, which often lock down a machine and barrage the user with requests for access by this program or whatnot. Such an interface is functional, but confuses the lay-user, in our experience, often to the point that they don't properly use the software.
Of course, avast! wants everyone to pay for its 'professional' product in a tiered pricing scheme. avast! makes the registration of its free software both required and difficult, all the while presenting an quick and easy paid solution.
Ultimately, it's up to you, the client. But if you follow these steps (the free version is home use only), you'll be able to be virus free without the fee.
Thanks for reading.
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To download and install avast! antivirus:
Step 1: Visit http://www.avast.com, click on the Free Software tab
Step 2: Click 'download' on the HOME edition page.
Step 3: On the cnet download page, click 'Download Now'.
Step 4: On the second cnet download page, click 'Download Now'.
Step 5: You may need to download using the information bar.
Step 6: Click on the bar and choose "Download file..."
Step 7: You may see multiple run prompts.
Continue through the Installer.
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To register, or re-register, follow these steps:
Step 1: Visit http://www.avast.com, click on the Free Software tab
Step 2: Click 'register'
Step 3: Choose the appropriate registration option.
Step 4: Fill out the registration form. Note that the email address you provide is where your registration code will be sent.
Step 5: Fill out the rest of the form. Click "Register" at the bottom when done.
Step 6: Read the important info about your registration and activation.
Step 7: Check the inbox for the email address you provided. Copy your activation key (select it, right-click, choose "Copy").
Step 8: In your clock tray, right-click the blue, spherical "a" (for avast! antivirus). Choose "About avast!..."
Step 9: Click the "License key..." button.
Step 10: Paste your activation key. Click "OK".
Step 11: You're all done!
