How to downgrade AVG Internet Security to AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition

Updated December 2015:

We’ve had several clients who have accidentally installed AVG Internet Security Trial when prompted to install the updated program version. We recommend the free, basic AVG Anti-Virus protection, and show you here how to install it. If you unintentionally installed the paid version of AVG, see the screen shots below to downgrade AVG Internet Security to AVG Anti-Virus Free.

From your computer desktop, click the “Start” button then “Control Panel”, then “Programs and Features” (Windows Vista/7) or “Add/Remove Programs” (Windows XP)

Highlight “AVG 201#” or “AVG Protection”, right-click and choose “Change”. If “Change” is not an option, select “Uninstall”.

The next window that comes up may look different than pictured above. (1) When the Repair and Uninstall Options windows appears, click the Switch to free protection – “Downgrade” button. (2) Otherwise you’ll likely see a window offering to downgrade to AVG Free instead of uninstalling – do that.

If you see another window come up, be sure to UNcheck any optional AVG toolbars and other browser changes.

If your internet browser home page / start page was changed after installing the AVG update/upgrade, see this article on how to change it back.

• If you’re getting tired of AVG’s tricky upgrades, consider our Computer Maintenance Plan where we take care of computer updates for you.
• If AVG’s frequent pop-ups and attempts to up-sell you to their paid products are bothersome, consider having us switch you to Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition.
• If you prefer to pay for an Antivirus product, we recommend ESET NOD32 Antivirus. Click the ad in the left column of this page for a special offer.