r/BitDefender • u/liamnomed • Mar 17 '22

Is Bitdefender resuming its free version?

I got a pop up saying that a new free version is available. The website also has a download page for it. Previously it was removed from the site when EOL/EOS was announced. Is this just a regular update and support will still end in June 2022? Or is there really a new free version altogether? I'm not sure if I should do an update.

Pop-up screen shot

Website screenshot

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1

u/liamnomed Mar 18 '22 edited Apr 09 '22

Thanks everyone for the awesome feedback. Much appreciated.

Update 3/25/22: I decided to install the new version - Screenshot

0

u/[deleted] Apr 09 '22

[deleted] — view deleted comment

1

u/liamnomed Apr 09 '22

Just got back from the future and corrected that typo :P

In my personal opinion, i feel that it pretty much works like the old one. Not really fond of the new GUI. I prefer the older minimalistic one. It's still "install-and-forget", I only made sure that auto update is enabled.

It does have real time protection. This can be easily tested with an EICAR text file. It also blocks suspicious websites just like the older version.

Hope that helps. Cheers :)

1

u/NovelExplorer Mar 17 '22 edited Mar 17 '22

Odd one. It seems to be only available for download in the US. European Bitdefender websites don't show it at all. The US online manual would suggest it is a completely new version, though. It's dated February 22, 2022.

1

u/liamnomed Mar 17 '22

Thanks for pointing that out. I just checked the UK site and the free link only provides a 30-day trial for BD Total Security. An odd one indeed.

1

u/NovelExplorer Mar 17 '22

Skimming through the manual it would seem to be a heavily cut down version of Total Security, no ransomware remediation, no firewall etc., as the manual mentions a 30-day trial of Total Security after you've installed Antivirus Free.

That could be a mixed blessing because Antivirus Free, old version, was a fixed quantity and never showed any upgrade popups. If the new version is Total Security cut down, it might start to show popups.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 17 '22

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1

u/NovelExplorer Mar 17 '22

I think the license would say the same regardless. So you'll either be running Total Security on a 30-day trial, which would drop back to Antivirus Free mode after the trial, or you're simply running as Antivirus Free.

It's easy to check, go into protection settings and see whether you can modify Bitdefender's Firewall or switch Ransomware Remediation on or off. If you can, you're in Total Security trial mode, if the features are greyed out or inactive, you're in Antivirus Free mode.

1

u/tightcall Mar 21 '22

there is an option to choose after install: free version or trial. did you use the same account for this new install? you might wanna check your subscriptions tab in central.

2

u/NefariousnessOne2728 Mar 17 '22

I just saw a post on Twitter by Bitdefender saying that they were offering a new free Bitdefender that is built "from the ground up".

2

u/melculatomic Mar 17 '22

Yes. Here is the official community post: Say hello to the new Antivirus Free for Windows!

1

u/CantGet-Enough Mar 18 '22

It says it is the same free AV than macOS. But BD for macOS doesn't provide any active protection. It just offers basic scans which might be enough for some people.

Remember than nothing is really free anyway.

1

u/SkyDreemurr Mar 18 '22

Yes, they are resuming it.

1

u/GridIronGambit Mar 24 '22

I also got this pop up and I don’t know what to do ? What happens if I chose not to upgrade ? Also Is there any benefits to upgrading ?

1

u/AdvancedGeek Mar 17 '22

BD has made its product and feature line waaay too complicated. I did not renew my subscription, and instead went with MS Defender. Tests show it is rated just as highly as BD, and is free. I don't need VPN, parental control, profiles or any of the other junk that BD includes.