Free antivirus for Win98?

im_wildrose · 06-30-2008, 07:34 PM

Is there still any free anti-virus programs available for Windows 98? We haven't had this computer online for a while and now have discovered that the AVG we had no longer works with Win 98. We have McAfee in our newer machine but it isn't compatible with 98 either. I'm thinking of trying it anyway but thought I'd ask for a reliable source for a free one first.

Thanks, Jen

mommabear · 07-01-2008, 02:47 AM

avast still works for 98.
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
http://www.avast.com/eng/system-requ...vast-home.html

I've never used it, but from what I've read it's one of the good ones.

im_wildrose · 07-02-2008, 09:50 AM

Thanks, I think. I downloaded it and have it running but now nothing else is running right (restarting, freezing up, etc.). We should have plenty of ram but who knows? This thing always was kind of kwirky. It was running good though before I put the Avast in there so I'll probably just take it out. Oh, or maybe I'll just see if I can turn it off and just run it occasionally, or just scan it every couple days or something. Anyway, thanks. I appreciate it!

Thanks, Jen

**OldGrayGary** · 07-02-2008, 04:10 PM

Hi Jen

avast! is a top-notch program, and I recommend it for computers running Xp or newer. But it's too much for most older Win9x systems. avast! starts several background processes, and the load can simply be too much for older systems with less than 256mb of memory. The Win9x series of Windows also has trouble with heavy multi-tasking - due to it's poor handling of 'system resources'.

You can try a simpler program such as A-squared Free, which still supports Windows 98 --- http://www.download.com/A-squared-Fr...dlPid=10832180

I used to recommend AVG for Win98, but they've stopped supporting Win98 with the release of AVG version 8 (as you've discovered). The well is starting to run dry for Win98 support from antimalware vendors, especially for free versions.

You shouldn't have too much trouble uninstalling avast! and trying a-squared.

Best of luck
. . . Gary

06-30-2008, 07:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
im_wildrose Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 28 OS: Win98	Free antivirus for Win98? Is there still any free anti-virus programs available for Windows 98? We haven't had this computer online for a while and now have discovered that the AVG we had no longer works with Win 98. We have McAfee in our newer machine but it isn't compatible with 98 either. I'm thinking of trying it anyway but thought I'd ask for a reliable source for a free one first. Thanks, Jen

07-01-2008, 02:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
mommabear Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 338 OS: XP Home Sp2	Re: Free antivirus for Win98? avast still works for 98. http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html http://www.avast.com/eng/system-requ...vast-home.html I've never used it, but from what I've read it's one of the good ones. __________________ YES WE CAN!

07-02-2008, 09:50 AM	#3 (permalink)
im_wildrose Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 28 OS: Win98	Re: Free antivirus for Win98? Thanks, I think. I downloaded it and have it running but now nothing else is running right (restarting, freezing up, etc.). We should have plenty of ram but who knows? This thing always was kind of kwirky. It was running good though before I put the Avast in there so I'll probably just take it out. Oh, or maybe I'll just see if I can turn it off and just run it occasionally, or just scan it every couple days or something. Anyway, thanks. I appreciate it! Thanks, Jen

07-02-2008, 04:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 1,979 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Re: Free antivirus for Win98? Hi Jen avast! is a top-notch program, and I recommend it for computers running Xp or newer. But it's too much for most older Win9x systems. avast! starts several background processes, and the load can simply be too much for older systems with less than 256mb of memory. The Win9x series of Windows also has trouble with heavy multi-tasking - due to it's poor handling of 'system resources'. You can try a simpler program such as A-squared Free, which still supports Windows 98 --- http://www.download.com/A-squared-Fr...dlPid=10832180 I used to recommend AVG for Win98, but they've stopped supporting Win98 with the release of AVG version 8 (as you've discovered). The well is starting to run dry for Win98 support from antimalware vendors, especially for free versions. You shouldn't have too much trouble uninstalling avast! and trying a-squared. Best of luck . . . Gary __________________