AVG Antivirus is a robust and efficient security solution, but like all software, it can impact your computer’s performance if not configured properly. Fortunately, there are several settings you can adjust to boost AVG’s performance and ensure that your computer runs smoothly without sacrificing security.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best settings to improve AVG Antivirus performance, helping you optimize scans, reduce system load, and enhance your overall user experience. Let’s get started!
1. Schedule Scans for Off-Peak Hours
Running system scans can be resource-intensive, causing your PC to slow down, especially when performing full system checks. By scheduling scans during off-peak hours when you’re not using the computer, you can improve AVG performance and avoid interruptions.
How to Schedule Scans:
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Open AVG Antivirus.
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Click on the Menu icon in the top-right corner.
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Go to Settings > Scan Scheduling.
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Set your scans to run at night or when you’re away from the computer.
By scheduling scans at convenient times, you ensure AVG runs smoothly without affecting your work or entertainment time.
2. Use Low Priority for Scans
When AVG performs a scan, it can take up a lot of system resources, slowing down other tasks. To minimize this impact, you can enable Low Priority Scanning.
How to Enable Low Priority Scanning:
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Open AVG Antivirus.
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Go to Menu > Settings > General.
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Under the Performance section, check the option for Low Priority Scanning.
This setting ensures that AVG uses fewer system resources during scans, allowing you to continue working without significant slowdowns.
3. Enable Gaming Mode
If you’re a gamer or you run heavy applications, Gaming Mode is a perfect feature to boost AVG performance. It temporarily disables unnecessary notifications and reduces background processes, allowing you to enjoy a seamless experience without interruptions from AVG.
How to Enable Gaming Mode:
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Open AVG Antivirus.
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Go to Menu > Settings > General.
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Enable Gaming Mode.
With Gaming Mode enabled, AVG will prioritize your performance over background tasks, ensuring that your games or other resource-heavy applications run smoothly.
4. Exclude Trusted Files and Folders from Scans
AVG performs deep scans to ensure your system is free of malware and other threats. However, this can be time-consuming, especially if AVG scans files or folders you already trust and know are safe. Excluding these trusted files from scans can help speed up AVG without compromising security.
How to Exclude Files from Scans:
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Open AVG Antivirus.
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Go to Menu > Settings > Scan.
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Select Exclusions and add trusted files or folders that you don’t want AVG to scan.
Excluding trusted files reduces scan times and boosts AVG performance, ensuring that unnecessary scans are avoided.
5. Disable Unnecessary Features
AVG comes with various features such as Email Protection, Web Shield, and File Shield, which are great for security but can sometimes take up too many resources. If you’re looking to improve AVG performance, consider temporarily disabling features you don’t use often.
How to Disable Features:
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Open AVG Antivirus.
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Go to Menu > Settings > Protection.
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Disable non-essential features like Email Protection or File Shield.
Just be sure not to disable essential features like Real-Time Protection or Web Shield, as they are key to your computer’s security.
6. Optimize the Scan Settings
AVG allows you to adjust scan settings to improve efficiency and reduce the time it takes to complete scans. Customizing the scan options can make a significant difference in AVG performance.
How to Optimize Scan Settings:
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Open AVG Antivirus.
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Go to Menu > Settings > Scan.
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Choose Smart Scan instead of full system scans for quicker scans.
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Enable Rootkit Scanning and Behavioral Shield for more efficient scanning without slowing down your system.
By fine-tuning the scan settings, you’ll make AVG work faster and more efficiently, detecting threats without unnecessary delays.
7. Turn Off Automatic Updates
AVG regularly checks for updates to its virus definitions and software. However, automatic updates can sometimes cause your computer to slow down if they happen while you’re using the system. Disabling automatic updates and manually checking for updates at a convenient time can help boost AVG performance.
How to Turn Off Automatic Updates:
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Open AVG Antivirus.
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Go to Menu > Settings > Update.
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Disable Automatic Updates.
Manually checking for updates at your convenience will allow you to ensure that AVG stays up-to-date without affecting your PC’s speed.
8. Regularly Clean Your PC
AVG performs a great job of scanning for threats, but your system may be slowing down due to junk files and unnecessary clutter. Regularly cleaning up your PC can free up resources, helping AVG run more efficiently.
How to Clean Your PC:
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Use Disk Cleanup or a third-party tool like CCleaner to remove temporary files, caches, and system junk.
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Defragment your hard drive (if using an HDD, not SSD).
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Delete old and unused files from your desktop and other storage areas.
A clean system will reduce the workload on AVG and speed up scans and real-time protection.
9. Upgrade Your Hardware
If you’ve followed all the settings above and AVG is still running slowly, it might be time to upgrade your computer’s hardware. AVG requires a certain amount of system resources, and if your PC is outdated or has limited resources, it may struggle to run smoothly.
Hardware Upgrades to Consider:
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Add More RAM: If your PC is low on memory, adding more RAM can significantly boost performance, especially when running multiple programs alongside AVG.
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Switch to an SSD: If you’re still using a traditional HDD, switching to a Solid State Drive (SSD) can drastically improve overall performance, including faster scans and quicker startup times.
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Upgrade Your CPU: If your processor is outdated, upgrading it can improve AVG’s ability to scan and protect your system faster.
Upgrading your hardware can complement AVG’s performance and make your computer run more smoothly.
10. Keep Everything Updated
Lastly, keeping both AVG Antivirus and your operating system updated is crucial to maintaining optimal performance. Regular updates ensure that AVG runs with the latest security features and that your system is protected against the latest threats.
How to Keep Everything Updated:
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Enable automatic updates in AVG to ensure it’s always running the latest version.
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Regularly check for updates in Windows Update or your operating system’s update feature.
Having both AVG and your operating system up to date ensures you’re getting the best protection and performance possible.
Conclusion
Optimizing AVG performance doesn’t require advanced technical skills or expensive hardware upgrades. By following the tips outlined above, you can significantly boost AVG’s performance and enjoy a faster, more efficient system. From scheduling scans to excluding trusted files and upgrading hardware, there are several ways to make AVG work faster while still providing strong protection. Keep your system clean, update regularly, and configure AVG’s settings to ensure the best possible experience.
