Win 7 x64 and Avira AntiVir

It probably doesn’t surprise anyone that I installed the RTM release of Windows 7 on a machine at home this weekend. In fact, I put it on a machine that’ll get some use by other family members as well just to get a feel for how it handles “non-geek” usage.

Now, if I’m just testing an OS or am the only user, I don’t bother with antivirus. I do enough weird things to slow myself down, I don’t need help… However, on a machine used by many – including neighborhood kids – I want some AV. So, for this one, I reached for the free Avira AntiVir as that’s what I’ve been using around the home lately.

It installed fine and seemed to run just fine. However, I had issues reaching a handful of websites. For instance, I could barely use any of my multiple Google Mail accounts unless I either waited several minutes or stepped down to the “HTML only” mode.

Similar experience with Server Fault. It worked, but really really slowly.

Then I noticed that search at Twitter wasn’t working. And that’s when I realized something must be getting in the way…

I disabled AntiVir’s “Guard” function and suddenly all those sites were working full speed again. I checked the support forums and saw that Win 7 will be supported when it is released. Not to be confused with now.

Huh, I could’ve sworn I’d seen that Win 7 is supported, but the manual (pdf warning) doesn’t list it either. I also noticed Avira isn’t listed on the Windows 7 Security Software Providers page… granted, that’s probably not a complete list but still – I should’ve checked sooner.

Live and learn. Now to look around for other options. I might try Kaspersky’s Win7 option – currently in “Public Testing Program.” Any other suggestions for AV on Win7? (and no, “Get Linux or a Mac” isn’t a real answer!)

Possibly Related posts:

1. Oops: Win 7 x64 and Avira AntiVir
2. Underwhelmed by Antivir
3. ClamWin Clobbered Me; Trying Out Antivir
4. Windows 7 RC Coming May 5th (?)
5. Microsoft Security Essentials