Antivirus Free
Antivirus Free
Advanced options in Bitdefender Free
Hello,
my question is generic and concerns the free version of Bitdefender.
In the paid versions these options can be activated/deactivated by the user, while in the free version users see a padlock icon instead of the buttons, so they cannot do anything on the individual features, the only editable button is the activation of "Bitdefender Shield".
So the question is: but in the free version these features are active by default and therefore the user cannot simply customize them?
Nunzio ·
Bitdefender Plus, Windows 10 Pro-32 Bit, CPU Intel Core2 Duo T7500, RAM 4 Gb - Bitdefender Mobile Security
Comments
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Well, yes, the free version doesn't offer that much room for customization, but it does give the user a glimpse on what settings can be applied for the paid versions. That said, the free version isn't entirely bald, as you may expect, and it does the job quite nicely.
The paid versions will always have more features and settings, and I think that's only natural, because there has to be a differentiator between them, and with a paid software you do expect value for money after all, and more features to play with, depending on your security requirements.Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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@Alexandru_BD So as far as the free version, is it automatically, will still scan those areas: potentially unwanted apps, memory, command line, scripts, network shares, but just doesn't have the option to enable or disable those options like the paid version? Or, does the free version real time scanning not scan any of those areas at all, without upgrading to a paid version?
All Bitdefender Home Product User Guides: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/user-guides/
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@Alexandru_BD surely the Free version is not as bare as you might think, in fact, from my experience of use it is very rich in protection functions and therefore does its job of protection quite well.
From my experience it also intervenes with malware scripts, PUP / PUA, etc ... Therefore it would be interesting to understand if these functions indicated in the screen are active but only non-customizable while customizable only in the paid version. It would be nice to have a better graphic indication that gives a better idea of what is active and what is not active (activatable for a fee).Nunzio ·
Bitdefender Plus, Windows 10 Pro-32 Bit, CPU Intel Core2 Duo T7500, RAM 4 Gb - Bitdefender Mobile Security
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I agree with this, how can the free version do such a nice job if those (most of those) settings weren't, aren't running in the background without those options being enabled, disabled in the free version?
All Bitdefender Home Product User Guides: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/user-guides/
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In this scenario, malware detection relies on signatures. If malware researchers have included, let's say, PUP/PUA (Potentially Unwanted Program/Application) detection in their signatures, then infected or suspicious samples will be detected. This is because when a signature update is downloaded, it retrieves the complete set of definitions from Bitdefender's server rather than just a specific subset of the database. This ensures that all known threats, including PUPs/PUAs, are covered through signature-based detection, regardless of the settings you choose in your Bitdefender product.
However, while signatures enable detection, the PUP/PUA settings in your Bitdefender product control how those detections are handled. For example:
- Detection vs. Action – The signatures may detect PUPs/PUAs, but whether they are blocked, removed, or ignored depends on your settings.
- User Control – Some users may want to allow certain PUPs/PUAs (e.g., ad-supported software), so these settings let them manage what gets flagged.
- Notifications & Visibility – If the setting is disabled, Bitdefender might not inform the user about detected PUPs/PUAs, even if they are running in the background.
The same principle applies to other available options in Bitdefender. While the core malware detection remains unaffected due to signature updates, different settings influence how detections are managed, what actions are taken, and how much control the user has over security decisions.
Regards
Life happens, Coffee helps!
Show your Attitude, when you reach that Altitude!
Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus (user)
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@Flexx sorry but that seems a bit like a AI post. Is there a setting in the Free version for that (below)?
However, while signatures enable detection, the PUP/PUA settings in your Bitdefender product control how those detections are handled. For example….
So back to the question at hand, does the free version real time protection scan memory, scripts, command line, network shares like the paid version, but just doesn't have the toggle options?
All Bitdefender Home Product User Guides: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/user-guides/
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My main question however remains...and I have not yet had a clear answer.
Those advanced features that a paid user can deactivate/activate while a FREE user will always have them active (so he cannot deactivate them) all as in the attached image?Nunzio ·
Bitdefender Plus, Windows 10 Pro-32 Bit, CPU Intel Core2 Duo T7500, RAM 4 Gb - Bitdefender Mobile Security
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Hey, I wrote it! You're challenging my capabilities. I am far from this world— I AM THE BEST IN THE UNIVERSE. Did you forget? 😂
Obviously, the antimalware is meant for that. Bitdefender Free Antivirus, unlike their paid products, provides real-time protection checks for everything running on a PC or laptop. You can simply try executing the EICAR ******, and Bitdefender will detect it, showing that it scans everything. Bitdefender Free Antivirus also detects and stops the execution of Command Prompt and PowerShell scripts, unlike its paid products. So yeah, it does work with the combination of signatures and behavior blocker (advanced threat defense in Bitdefender products).
For users using Bitdefender Free Antivirus, if the features are enabled and greyed out, it means they are enabled by default and cannot be disabled, unlike in their paid products. But that is just my assumption.
Regards
Life happens, Coffee helps!
Show your Attitude, when you reach that Altitude!
Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus (user)
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So I went ahead and got in touch with the Bitdefender support via chat. As soon as I asked my query, the AI helper immediately answered it, so there was no need to speak with a Bitdefender support employee.
Below is the chat s.c.r.i.p.t:
@Nunzio77, does this answer your query?
Regards
Life happens, Coffee helps!
Show your Attitude, when you reach that Altitude!
Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus (user)
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Hey, I wrote it! You're challenging my capabilities. I am far from this world—
I AM THE BEST IN THE UNIVERSE. Did you forget? 😂
LOL, I must've forgotten, thank you for that reminder 😂😂
All Bitdefender Home Product User Guides: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/user-guides/
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Did you forget? 😂
This was the perfect backfire, lol 😅
Glad to see you're acknowledging true greatness! 😂
Regards
Life happens, Coffee helps!
Show your Attitude, when you reach that Altitude!
Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus (user)
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Thanks everyone!
So I repeat my question and I hope to have a simple answer (YES or NO) all these advanced features where you only see the symbol of a padlock in the free version are all active by default as in the paid version?
To give greater clarity to a user on this I would opt for a clearer graphic design, that is, instead of putting the padlock symbol on the button, I would make it appear in active or inactive status in gray with a padlock next to it so that the user gives in that the feature is active or inactive but cannot change it unless he activates a paid plan.
Nunzio ·
Bitdefender Plus, Windows 10 Pro-32 Bit, CPU Intel Core2 Duo T7500, RAM 4 Gb - Bitdefender Mobile Security
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@Alexandru_BD and @camarie What do you think?
Nunzio ·
Bitdefender Plus, Windows 10 Pro-32 Bit, CPU Intel Core2 Duo T7500, RAM 4 Gb - Bitdefender Mobile Security
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I would really like to know the answer to this one, too. As support (Bitdefender Helper AI?) gave Flexx an incorrect response IMO, the options in the free version again as IMO, they are not greyed out, they are Padlocked. Totally different. Lets get a real Bitdefender engineer, developers answer here.
All Bitdefender Home Product User Guides: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/user-guides/
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🤝Yes that's what I want a real answer from a Bitdefender engineer/technician who gives an official answer and they work on changing that misleading graphic. 😉
Nunzio ·
Bitdefender Plus, Windows 10 Pro-32 Bit, CPU Intel Core2 Duo T7500, RAM 4 Gb - Bitdefender Mobile Security
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I had another conversation with Bitdefender Support via chat. The AI support helper confirmed to me that the padlocked settings in Bitdefender Free Antivirus for Windows are enabled by default, as shown in the image of our conversation below.
Regards
Life happens, Coffee helps!
Show your Attitude, when you reach that Altitude!
Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus (user)
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Sorry Flexx, I'll wait for and hope for a real Bitdefender engineer, developer or Alex in getting an answer from an insider who actually works or develops the free version. I know you're trying to be helpful, but please let it be someone else's turn.
Kindest of regards 😊
All Bitdefender Home Product User Guides: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/user-guides/
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I completely understand and respect your preference. I hope you receive the most accurate response from the appropriate person. Wishing you the best in getting the clarification you need.
Regards
Life happens, Coffee helps!
Show your Attitude, when you reach that Altitude!
Bitdefender Ultimate Security Plus (user)
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+ 1 😉
Nunzio ·
Bitdefender Plus, Windows 10 Pro-32 Bit, CPU Intel Core2 Duo T7500, RAM 4 Gb - Bitdefender Mobile Security
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I see that Nunzio really got the conversation going on the Antivirus Free again. 😄
To clarify here, the advanced options under the Shield are locked in the free version and this means they cannot be customized, however, they are actually up and running.
It's like what you would find in a game where you need to unlock the next levels to play on the full map. 😁
Premium Security & Bitdefender Endpoint Security Tools user
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@Alexandru_BD Thanks
This is the confirmation I wanted 😅
"To clarify, the advanced options of Shield are locked in the free version and this means that they cannot be customized, however they are actually active and functional."
Because unfortunately reading in other forums there are those who claim the opposite based also on their tests carried out, that is, they are not active.
So having clear and precise information would help many users and would ensure that many users do not scale other AV solutions even if free. But I always remain of the idea that a free version can be an entry ticket for any upgrades to the paid ones.
So I always remain of the idea that to avoid such confusion, the active or inactive options should be shown graphically and then insert the lock to unlock the customization or any activations in paid versions.
However at least one user, without going to read in the various forums, from the interface knows what it has and what it does not have and possibly be able to have it by paying. 😉Nunzio ·
Bitdefender Plus, Windows 10 Pro-32 Bit, CPU Intel Core2 Duo T7500, RAM 4 Gb - Bitdefender Mobile Security
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@Alexandru_BD and @Nunzio77's above post 👏👏
All Bitdefender Home Product User Guides: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/user-guides/
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