free version expired!!!!!

Hello all,

My free version has been expired , I wouldn't like to uninstall it and install again , what could I do to solve this issue ? in case of uninstalling , should I use from removal tool or I could proceed with normal uninstall from Windows control panel

thank you

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Alexandru_BD

Hello @Peroshi,

Check if the status changes after logging out and loggin back in. Obviously, since this is the free version, an expiration message should not be displayed. It's not mandatory to reinstall for now. Let me know what happens after you log back in and we'll check this further, if necessary.

Peroshi

Hi , please guide me for uninstall it first then install again ,

for any reasons process will not be completed through a b browser.

Uninstalling from control panel would be enough or should take more steps ?

thank you

Peroshi

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/352710#Comment_352710

NOTE: I couldn't click anywhere while software is opening on Desktop nor logout from account , just switch account

Alexandru_BD

Hello @Peroshi,

What is the current status of the antivirus? Is it uninstalled from your device or not? The complete uninstall process is described in this article:

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/2791/

Once Bitdefender is uninstalled, you can use the Central account to install it once again on your device. You can use the switch account feature to re-enter your account credentials, and this should normally refresh the license as well. Make sure to clear the cache & cookies beforehand, and restart your device after uninstalling the free version. Then, you can start with a fresh install and check if the issue persists. If, for some reason you cannot login into your Central account, head to the link below to get in touch with Bitdefender Support, as they can perform further checks for your account and advise accordingly:

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/help/

State your contact reason / choose request category, then choose from the available contact channels, chat, phone and email/ticket. Chat would be the fastest way to reach them.

Let me know how it goes so we can close the loop here as well.

Thanks

Peroshi

Peroshi

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/352715#Comment_352715

Yes , I uninstall it and install again , still it shows an error

Peroshi

Peroshi

Sorry ,

https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/consumer/free-antivirus

Does it link to free version ? Am I right ?

Peroshi

Apologize for multiple post ,

If yes and I downloaded it as well , right side above the app shows Total security

see please

Peroshi

I'm not sure how many times should I uninstall this software to work properly , again total security installed !!!!!!

Peroshi

I changes DNS manually to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

Reset Internet explorer setting

release Ip , flushDNS , register DNS , reset winsock , reset int ip

nothing

Flexx

Kindly perform the following steps and see if they help you in any way:

THE EASIER WAY:

1) Uninstall the Bitdefender product on Windows: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/2791/

2) To remove any remaining files, download and run the Bitdefender product uninstaller from this link: https://www.bitdefender.com/files/KnowledgeBase/file/Bitdefender_2023_Uninstall_Tool.exe

3) Remove devices from your online Bitdefender Central: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/2795/

4) Open the Run command and execute the following commands one by one:

temp - delete all the files in the folder

%temp% - delete all the files in the folder

prefetch - delete all the files in the folder

5) Run Disk Cleanup using this guide: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/disk-cleanup-in-windows-8a96ff42-5751-39ad-23d6-434b4d5b9a68

6) Install Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Windows: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-in/consumer/free-antivirus

THE HARDER WAY:

1) Uninstall the Bitdefender product on Windows: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/2791/

2) To remove any remaining files, download and run the Bitdefender product uninstaller from this link: https://www.bitdefender.com/files/KnowledgeBase/file/Bitdefender_2023_Uninstall_Tool.exe

3) Restart your PC in safe mode. You can follow this guide: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234

4) As soon as the desktop opens, assuming your Windows drive is 'C,' open the following locations in the 'Run' command (Windows icon + R) one by one:

C:\Program Files (delete any folder with the name bitdefender)

C:\Program Files (x86) (delete any folder with the name bitdefender)

C:\ProgramData (delete any folder with the name bitdefender)

C:\Users{your PC name}\AppData\Local (delete any folder with the name bitdefender)

5) Open the Run command (press the 'Windows + R' key on your keyboard) and execute the following commands one by one:

temp - delete all the files in the folder

%temp% - delete all the files in the folder

prefetch - delete all the files in the folder

6) Run Disk Cleanup using this guide: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/disk-cleanup-in-windows-8a96ff42-5751-39ad-23d6-434b4d5b9a68

7) Open the registry editor through the 'Run' command (Windows icon + R) and then type 'regedit.' Once the registry editor opens, click on 'Edit' -> 'Find,' and make sure to checkmark 'Match whole strings only.' Type 'bitdefender' in the search box and click 'Find Next.' If any file or folder with the name 'bitdefender' is found, delete it. Continue searching the registry and deleting until the search reports no registry keys found.

8) Restart your PC in normal mode by deselecting the option you selected while running the system in Safe Mode, then click 'Apply.'

9) Remove devices from your online Bitdefender Central: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/2795/

10) Install Bitdefender Antivirus Free for Windows: https://www.bitdefender.com/en-in/consumer/free-antivirus

If the issue persists, kindly contact Bitdefender support by visiting https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/help/

Select, How to's & Troubleshooting Bitdefender products→Troubleshooting→I don't know→Contact Support→ You will get the option of chat, call or email.

To get immediate update, make use of the chat option.

Also, ensure you do not have any ad-blocker or privacy-blocker extensions enabled, as they might prevent the chat window from appearing.

Regards

Alexandru_BD

@Peroshi have you also checked this box?

I think it's possible that you have two separate accounts now. Because the free version cannot run in the same Central account as Total Security. Do you have a paid subscription now, or is that a trial? I'm not sure what's going on there..

Peroshi

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/352763#Comment_352763

Thanks for your information , I did all , nothing has been changed ! :(

Alexandru_BD

Hi,

Considering this, I think it's best to reach out to Bitdefender Support and have them check your account.

Peroshi

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/comment/352859#Comment_352859

Hello and thanks for your response .

Yes, you're correct more than 1 account because I forget my previous account's password .

Do you have a paid subscription now, or is that a trial?

No , it's free and I do not have paid subscription ,

I had to make a new account and I believe problem is that as you have said , what could I do if problem rises because of multiple account ?

and Yes , now , I checked it. again : an error occurred while signing.

I prefer to use bitdefender instead of other AV , If there is any way please indicate me to solve that .

thank you

Alexandru_BD

Ok, so the general rule of thumb is that the Bitdefender antivirus installed on your device must be logged in using the same email address as the one associated with your Central account, where the license/subscription is running, because the software draws its validity and configuration from there. As such, since it's unclear to me what address is where and what is the current status of the antivirus on your device, make sure you are logged in both Central and Bitdefender with the same email address, I assume this would be the newly created one, since you've mentioned that you forgot the password for the previous account (this can be retrieved as well). If you are logged in using the same address and these errors persist, then there's definitely another problem there, one which we won't be able to solve on the forum, unfortunately, because as members of this community we don't have access to your account details, thus this can only be investigated in-depth by Bitdefender Support, hence my recommendation to contact them.

Regards

Peroshi

I am more than grateful for your kind support

By chance or I'm not sure how :

Just now :

My Last question is that , after 26 days , can I use Free version ?

Alexandru_BD

Ok, so it seems that you have a Total Security trial now. Yes, once the trial expires, you can use the free version, but not on this account. You'll have to revert to the previous account and use the password recovery option, or create another account where you can continue to use Antivirus Free for Windows.

But there are plenty of good offers for the paid versions now, why not opt for an Internet Security subscription, for example? It's just $39.99 for 1 device/1 year of protection, currently offered with 40% discount on the main Bitdefender website.

Peroshi

I'm appreciate your response.

for using free version , I have to logged out from central of this account , then create a new one and can use free version.

Am I right ?

Thanks for your best support

Alexandru_BD

Yes, so basically from what I understand you are now using Total Security on one account, and you should have Antivirus Free on the other account, where you mentioned that you forgot the password and the license appeared as expired (although it shouldn't). From the antivirus UI, you can seamlessly switch between accounts using the dedicated function - "Switch Account". This connects the Bitdefender product to the Central account where the actual license/subscription is running, and the antivirus features will change accordingly. But it is not possible to have both Antivirus Free and a trial or a paid solution on the same account, hence the need to switch between accounts in this scenario.

So, after using the trial, you have three options, in my opinion:

You can purchase a paid subscription and continue to use the same Central account that you are now using with the trial license;
OR
You can recover your password for the Central account where you were previously using Antivirus Free;
OR
If you no longer wish to use that account, you can create a new Central account using a different email address and install Antivirus Free again from here: https://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/free.html

I hope things are clearer now.

Regards