AVG Antivirus is one of the best tools to protect your computer from online threats. However, like any software, its performance can sometimes be affected by settings or system limitations. If you’ve noticed that AVG is taking longer to scan your system or detect threats, don’t worry. There are simple steps you can take to improve AVG’s performance for faster scanning and detection. This guide will walk you through AVG performance tips to ensure your antivirus runs smoothly and efficiently.
1. Update AVG Regularly
Why It Helps: Regular updates ensure that your antivirus software is using the latest virus definitions and patches, improving detection and scanning speed.
How to Update AVG:
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Open AVG Antivirus and click on the Menu in the top-right corner.
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Select Check for Updates from the dropdown menu.
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If updates are available, AVG will automatically download and install them.
Tip:
Enable automatic updates so AVG can update in the background without you needing to check manually.
2. Schedule Scans During Off-Hours
Why It Helps: Scanning your entire system can be resource-intensive. Running scans during busy times can slow down your computer. By scheduling scans during off-hours, AVG can run without affecting your work.
How to Schedule Scans:
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Open AVG and go to Menu > Settings.
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Select Scan Settings.
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In the Scheduled Scans section, choose a time when your computer is idle or not in use.
Tip:
Choose times when you don’t need your computer for heavy tasks like gaming or streaming.
3. Use the Smart Scan Feature
Why It Helps: AVG offers a Smart Scan feature that scans only critical areas of your system for threats, reducing scan time. This is faster than a full scan, yet still highly effective at detecting malware.
How to Use Smart Scan:
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Open AVG Antivirus.
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From the Home screen, select Smart Scan.
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Click Run Smart Scan and let AVG quickly check your system for potential threats.
Tip:
If you’re short on time, use Smart Scan regularly and reserve full system scans for once a week.
4. Exclude Trusted Files from Scanning
Why It Helps: If you have files or programs that you trust and know are safe, excluding them from scans can speed up AVG’s performance. This prevents AVG from scanning the same files over and over.
How to Exclude Files:
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Open AVG and go to Menu > Settings.
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Click General, then choose Exceptions.
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Add any files, folders, or programs you know are safe and don’t want to be scanned.
Tip:
Be careful when excluding files. Only exclude files that you’re sure are safe to avoid missing any threats.
5. Enable Real-Time Protection
Why It Helps: Real-time protection ensures that AVG is constantly monitoring your system for threats as you use your computer. This can help detect problems faster, reducing the need for a full scan.
How to Enable Real-Time Protection:
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Open AVG and go to Menu > Settings.
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Select Protection and make sure Real-Time Protection is turned on.
Tip:
Real-time protection works best when combined with regular updates and scans. Always ensure it’s enabled to maximize your protection.
6. Use the Game Mode for Performance
Why It Helps: If you’re gaming or running intensive applications, AVG might slow down your system during scans or updates. Game Mode prevents AVG from running non-essential tasks like background scanning, ensuring smoother performance.
How to Enable Game Mode:
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Open AVG Antivirus and go to Menu > Settings.
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Select General, then turn on Game Mode.
Tip:
Game Mode is ideal for users who need maximum performance, such as gamers or video editors. You can also set it to activate automatically during specific apps.
7. Disable Unnecessary Features
Why It Helps: AVG includes various additional features like a firewall and email protection. While these features are useful, they may not always be necessary for your system. Disabling certain features can speed up scanning.
How to Disable Unnecessary Features:
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Open AVG and go to Menu > Settings.
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Select Components.
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Turn off any features you don’t need, such as Email Protection or Webcam Protection.
Tip:
Only disable features that you feel are not essential for your security. Make sure that essential protection, like real-time scanning, is always enabled.
8. Clean Your Computer Regularly
Why It Helps: A cluttered system can slow down your antivirus and your computer overall. Regularly cleaning your computer by removing junk files and unnecessary data can help AVG run faster.
How to Clean Your System:
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Use AVG’s PC TuneUp tool (if you have it) to clean up your system.
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Alternatively, use Windows’ built-in Disk Cleanup tool to remove unnecessary files.
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Uninstall old programs and apps that you no longer use.
Tip:
Make sure to back up any important data before deleting files to avoid losing important information.
9. Increase System Resources
Why It Helps: AVG scans are faster when your system has plenty of resources available. Increasing system performance by upgrading hardware, such as adding more RAM or upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD), can improve AVG’s performance.
How to Increase System Resources:
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Add More RAM: If your system often runs low on memory, upgrading to more RAM can help speed up AVG scans.
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Switch to an SSD: If you’re using a traditional hard disk drive (HDD), upgrading to an SSD can significantly improve scanning speeds and overall performance.
Tip:
If you’re unsure about upgrading your hardware, consult a professional to see which upgrades will benefit your system the most.
10. Restart Your Computer Regularly
Why It Helps: Restarting your computer can clear out temporary files and refresh system resources. This helps AVG run smoother and faster.
How to Restart:
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Simply click on the Start menu and choose Restart to reboot your system.
Tip:
Make it a habit to restart your computer regularly, especially after large software updates or installations.
Conclusion
By following these AVG performance tips, you can significantly improve AVG’s speed and scanning efficiency. Regular updates, scheduled scans, and excluding trusted files can help speed up the process. Real-time protection and enabling Game Mode ensure that your system runs smoothly while staying secure. Additionally, cleaning your system and upgrading hardware can further enhance AVG’s performance. By maintaining these practices, you can enjoy faster scans and improved threat detection, keeping your computer protected without compromising speed.
