Antivirus for po' people?

AVG is probably one of the most commonly used anti virus programs today. I joined the rest of the world about 3 years ago and I have been using it ever since. But AVG 8.5 on my computer expired and will no longer allow me to get an updated version without buying it. So I have come to a decision to step out of my cave and ask you guys, What is a free alternative to AVG? I don't want malwarebytes because it is awful harsh. I just want another straight forward anti virus program.

So what are my options and please remember I don't have a cent to spend on antivirus.

I've been using Avast for quite a while, and seems able to keep me out of trouble. :)

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

Thanks for the link davnes! I will try it out. I was using Malware Bytes but I got a horrible patching virus and Malware Bytes got rid of some of my system files. Whoever makes these patching viruses should be thrown in a butt pirate prison.

So whats the problem with using AVG? It is free after all...

http://free.avg.com/

CompMovieGuy said:

So whats the problem with using AVG? It is free after all...

http://free.avg.com/

Everytime I tried to update it I would get a message stating "License has expired" and then I tried uninstalling it and reinstalling it the message would say the same.

The problem is not with AVG, its with your computer...

You either
A. Tried to update it via an installer from their site
B. Tried to get the Pro version installed from "wherever"
C. Messed around with the licensing

Either way it should be an easy fix, just go into the registry and update the key to a new "free" one

or

Format/Reinstall, which is probably needed anyway

CompMovieGuy said:

The problem is not with AVG, its with your computer...

You either
A. Tried to update it via an installer from their site
B. Tried to get the Pro version installed from "wherever"
C. Messed around with the licensing

Either way it should be an easy fix, just go into the registry and update the key to a new "free" one

or

Format/Reinstall, which is probably needed anyway

Ok thanks.

Yeah, AVG is still free. It is pretty common mistake for people to download the free trial of the pro version instead of the actual free version and not realize it. I even did that once. I'd be very willing to bet that is what happened to you. Just uninstall it, download it again making sure it is the free one, and reinstall.

Take it one step further when you uninstall.  After you get rid of the old version, Start>Run>regedit.  Keep searching the registry (Edit>Find...) for AVG and delete any entries.  That will bring your system back to where there is no evidence that any version was ever installed.  Then you can install the new one without remnants of the old one accidentally getting in your way.

Thanks for the help guys. AVG is back to finding cookies and jailing trojans.