Windows 7: Anti Virus Software Question

The licence for the AVG software I have installed on my original computer is due for renewal shortly.
I have almost completed the building of a 2nd machine which I intend to use solely for gaming & apart from an Internet (Steam) connection on the new machine will continue to use the original machine for everything else including the downloading of files etc to use on the gaming rig.
Pondering whether to purchase a multiple licence for AVG this time or just rely on it running on solely the "general use" machine & leave the gaming machine protected by Windows Defender.
Would like to hear words of ratification or caution on this proposed plan please.
Thanks
Keith

Most people here would point you to a free solution of some type---most commonly Microsoft Security Essentials.

And I don't think AVG would be the top choice among paid software, but what's done is done.

Hello Greyjoy,

I agree - if it was me, I would give one of these two a try. Both are extremely well regarded:

Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows
avast! Free Antivirus | Download Antivirus Protection Software (requires registration)

Regards,
Golden

Thanks for the quick reply folks.
I agree re: AVG, my personal opinion is that it's getting too bloated for what I need these days but the renewal costs are quite attractive.
NOD 32 was another contender & seems quite popular amongst some gamers.
Thanks for the link to MS security essentials quite interested in this. Does this incorporate Defender or is that something else altogether? & I also wonder
Why it is that MS_SE is not part of the initial setup.

Regards
Keith

Win 7 comes essentially with DEFENDER and MS has decided to make MSE a bit later on.
When you download MSE and install it, MSE will turn off DEFENDER cause they don't coexists together but firewall will be doing his job and DEFENDER will be back with windows 8. Beside mentioned responses above, download MALWAREBYTES ANTIMALWARE to be more secure, and there is a free and a paid version of it.

Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware, anti-virus and spyware removal download

Appreciate the brief Hanna 1. Didn't realise MSE was only relatively recent program. I will give it a try & may even decide not to renew my AVG licence.

Thanks
Keith

On that gaming computer you can install Avira it is very good I use it on my only computer that I use for everything (Game, Movie, Graphics, ...) and it is protecting it and it isn't slowing my computer. I Used Avast and AVG both of them but Avira is something really good but if you need high protection go for Kapsersky but for that gaming rig Avira is perfect.

Thank you.
~0UnknowN1

Nowadays, unless you visit risky sites that require you to have supurb protection, a free version of an antivirus (again, often MSE because of its compatability with windows) is all you really need.

If you browse the internet at all on both machines, i would highly recommend an antivirus. Defender is not an antivirus and will not protect you as well as one.

Interesting to note: Defender for Win8 IS going to be an antivirus software. MS is playing around with names once more. This software is scheduled to be included with Win8 upon its release.

Tip: some people are saying AVG is doing a lot better. I would stick with it (provided it is working well) until your license runs out. After that, I would switch to the free version of my favorite antivirus. Mine would be MSE because it has very high ratings for malware removal/protection and works great with my system.

Dust Sailor

Nothing against AVG, I've got 15 days license left & rather than dive in & renew for a further 2 years I thought I would solicit the help of the "better informed" on this forum ( thank you all).

I don't go on risky sites (he says setting up for a fall) & believe my bells & whistles virus checker generally has an easy time of it.
I guess in summary, I want either one AV suite to protect me while I browse the web & download files etc on my general use machine but another to have a very low resource hit on a gaming rig which should get very little exposure to threats. Of course one which will cover both ends would be ideal. MSE sounds good & I'm all in favour of using an AV which has the backing of the OS makers. Can it be suspended so all resource goes towards running games? Most of the contenders now seem to have this facility including Avast & presumably Avira but I suspect this was not top of Microsoft's must have features.

Regards
Keith

Regards
Keith

Better take the advice of our guru's here

I myself is using MSE and Malwarebytes