I have gone through the following process twice with the same unacceptable results: * Downloaded from Bitdefender site the bitdefender_avfree to my Windows11 download files folder. * Opened the exe and let it run to successfully download the free program. * Program install successful. Then, when prompted to create a Bitdefender account the FIRST time I downloaded, it did create an account but it morphed into a free trial of the paid Total version. * I uninstalled all three Bitdefender apps from my Windows11 in prep to reinstall the free version. * After successfully downloading the bitdefender_avfree again (the 2nd time) and successfully installing it, it once again morphed into a trial of the paid Total version. * NOTE that in the 2nd time instead of creating a new UN and PW I instead used what I had previously created when registering the FIRST time. My only path is to uninstall all AGAIN (3rd time), and when prompted to register my account I use a NEW UN and PW, but….., I thought this question here is worth a shot first. AGGRAVATING ( ! )

Why does my downloaded bitdefender_avfree morph into a "trial" of Total?

sackofstars

I have gone through the following process twice with the same unacceptable results:

Downloaded from Bitdefender site the bitdefender_avfree to my Windows11 download files folder.
Opened the exe and let it run to successfully download the free program.
Program install successful. Then, when prompted to create a Bitdefender account the FIRST time I downloaded, it did create an account but it morphed into a free trial of the paid Total version.
I uninstalled all three Bitdefender apps from my Windows11 in prep to reinstall the free version.
After successfully downloading the bitdefender_avfree again (the 2nd time) and successfully installing it, it once again morphed into a trial of the paid Total version.
NOTE that in the 2nd time instead of creating a new UN and PW I instead used what I had previously created when registering the FIRST time. My only path is to uninstall all AGAIN (3rd time), and when prompted to register my account I use a NEW UN and PW, but….., I thought this question here is worth a shot first. AGGRAVATING ( ! )

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dvsls

It would be helpful if you could share screenshots of each step after logging in with a new account. Did you click the X to close the setup? Did you click any trial offer during onboarding?

sackofstars

I did not click a trial offer. There were two options, a trial offer to the right and the free version icon to click at screen left which is what I clicked. An "X" to close the set-up does not seem to be a thing. It appears to me that I will have to uninstall and reinstall it a 3rd time if I want to play with creating a new account (instead of using the UN and PW created the 1st time that I downloaded) but my UN was my email addy if I remember right. When I go to the website with all uninstalled (prior to downloading again) it recognizes me VIA my origin I assume. So…… unless I delete my account totally I am likely not going to have an impact using a new PW creation.

— It appears that if you are experienced enough to help here that it will not be convincing without taking screenshots at each step. I should attempt to do this.

sackofstars

Okay, so after your response and my response to your response, I have uninstalled the VPN, then the Total Security and restarted, then I uninstalled the Agent. These were installed after my first download that was intended to be the free version (not free trial but free version). I have downloaded now three times with the same result each time.

I correctly select to download the free version, not the free trial. Each time the free version downloads to my downloads folder (bitdefender_AVfree) and that is what I hit to exe the install.

Each time I correctly choose the free version, not the free trial.

I intended to also this last time (3rd) to create a new bitdefender central account (to which if I were successful I would have lost this discussion thread), but to create a new one I would have to use a different email since it would not allow me to register with the same email (of course). So…… I am using the same account that was created after downloading the free "version" the fist time of three.

You thought I need to demo by using screenshots, so here they are.

I choose Antivirus Free from menu:

I then carefully choose the red colored Download Antivirus Free:

Then on top of that I avoid the red colored icon below and choose screen-left "Free download".

Then the correct (it seems) FREE exe downloads to my downloads folder:

Then the exe gives me this to install:

Then the installation runs well and is complete:

Then I DID NOT take a screen shot of the page to sign in or create an account. I forgot but actually there is nothing to see there. Since I used my email prior it will not allow me to make another account using the same email. Is the "trial" morphing over the free "version" because it was incorrectly done on my part the first time, perhaps that could be the case BUT…… I did it correct the first time. Each time after downloading the free VERSION, it morphs itself to the free TRIAL that will expire if I do not pony up $$.

Then… the Total Security suite is all find and dandy, but I do not have the funds to allow them to dictate my direction. I am ready to allow it to time out on the "trial" to see if they are deceptively seeing if I will change my mind or be intimidated into a paid subscription. There were other things I saw that signaled deception to me in the process of all this and the explanation of things that compromises my trust. If this issue does not go away in the ending of a bluff (which will resolve my issue but reinforce my mistrust), or unless we can resolve this, I will go away and never darken the door again.

sackofstars

Anyone else have any thoughts on my malady? I would like to have the Bitdefender free version long term on my simple personal computer after careful investigation and consideration in the choice. I will find at the time that the unwanted free "trial" expires if it then changes to the free "version" that I correctly chose from their site and subsequently downloaded the bitdefender_AVfree exe for installation.

RedsFan

Try to remove your account , then create a new account and download the free version from your account; so av free comes with your name.

SemoTech

@sackofstars Sounds like typical BitDefender forced marketing tactics they have employed for over 4 years!
You download and install a free or even a paid product, then they setup a "trial" version of something you never wanted or asked for, and then the burden to uninstall and remove it is on you. One-offs are OK but when you install in bulk this becomes a nightmare since it confuses clients. Their marketing team does not seem to care they are alienating customers with these practices. See my posts HERE and re-opened after it was closed with no resolution, HERE

dvsls

It is no tactic, most likely a bug. I will test the scenario right now and report back with a conclusion.

dvsls

If the trial has already been activated on that account, it will remain active until it expires. Reinstalling the app will not change this.I just tested the free installation flow, and everything worked as expected.Could you tell me what action you took after installation, but before logging in:

Start assessment or Skip?

Then, when the window appeared offering Free or Trial, did you:

select Free, or
click the X in the top-right corner to close it?

You can remove the current trial installation and create a new account to get the free version. When prompted, click Skip assessment, then log in and choose Free.

You can use the same email address by adding a suffix, for example: youremail+free@gmail.com.

dvsls

I posted a reply above.

One more thing: did you reuse an existing older account that had an expired subscription on it?

Did you restart the system after uninstall, before preparing to install the free version?

Alexandru_BD

This has nothing to do with marketing. Like dvsls pointed out, it's most likely a bug. When you download the free version, well you should get that, and not something else. The trials are there for obvious reasons, but it's not mandatory to try them.

sackofstars

Please excuse my absence. My issue is resolved and I will outline here my paths. I will do my best to simplify but still reveal some pertinent details. Thank you for your attention. I do appreciate your focus and help.

I have had extensive emailing with Bitfinder technical engineering. In order to control our variables and to demonstrate steps, I followed their leads of specific steps and MO's while even using their links to uninstall and reinstall a couple times to observe results. It was shown that while working within my then existing Bitfinder account that no matter what was done the new free "version" would revert to the free "trial" after I re-signed into my account after a fresh uninstall/download/install. The attempt was to resolve my issue without having to create another stand-alone (new) Bitfinder account using a new email addy. I could not of course use the same email addy as before in generating a new account, so I had to use an alternate email addy in creation of the new account. I was (and we were) attempting to resolve my issue without having to use an alternate email but it was proved to be my only method. It was shown that previously I had been using the correct exe for the free "version" from the beginning, including my first attempt which initially morphed into the "trial" version after creating a Bitfinder account for the first time. The exact same exe file (bitdefender_AVfree.exe) was used my first time installing as was used in my last time. FYI for color, I ended up with six copies of the same exe in my downloads folder on my laptop after downloading fresh at each attempt. As for the steps between downloading the exe and registering the Bitdefender account (or re-signing into the existing account each time after a fresh unistall/download/install) I documented them all a couple times with screenpic's to demo that all steps were correct with all icon choices being the correct choices.

I have nothing to say, and to report, about my my experiences with Technical Engineering's support other than positive and supportive things. They were effective and thoughtful in their involvement with me and it ended up being pretty extensive, not just one or two quick responses or canned paths. I did suspect that my malady was somehow supported by my resigning into the same and initial Bitfinder account each time, and that my resolution in getting the free version to simply work for me was either through awaiting the end of the unwanted free "trial", or through eliminating my existing Bitfinder account and starting a new one. It did not dawn on my until later that I did not HAVE to "eliminate" my initial account (and in turn loose this thread), as all I would have had to do was to create a new one with a different email after a fresh uninstall/install. Anyway, regardless, I have no explanation on why the free "version" morphed the first time to the "trial" version, and/or if my subsequent malady of it morphing at each subsequent attempt was due to association with my then pre-established bitfinder account or not.

As far as going on more here, I doubt that I will look-in more than once or so. I have spent many hours across numerous days of my life focus in getting resolution that I could have faith in, as I did choose Bitfinder "free" version for solid reason in replacing my more intrusive (and actually rude) free versions from other offerings.

Thank you again. And again, my experience with the technical engineering guys was a positive one.

Alexandru_BD

Thank you for sharing your feedback here, it is much appreciated! 👍️