AVG Antivirus is well-known for providing strong protection against malware, viruses, and other online threats. However, some users may notice that AVG consumes system resources, especially during scans or while running in the background. Fortunately, there are several ways to optimize AVG’s performance, ensuring it runs efficiently without slowing down your PC. Here are some tips to help you reduce AVG’s impact on your system resources.
1. Schedule Scans During Off-Peak Hours
One of the most resource-intensive activities that AVG performs is scanning your system for threats. Scans, especially full system scans, can slow down your computer. By scheduling scans during times when you’re not using your computer, you can ensure that AVG performs its scans without interrupting your work.
How to Schedule Scans:
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Open AVG.
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Go to Menu > Settings > Scan.
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Set the scan type (Quick, Full, or Smart Scan) and choose a time when you’re not actively using the computer, such as late at night or during the weekend.
This allows AVG to complete its scans without impacting your productivity.
2. Enable Silent Mode for Uninterrupted Usage
AVG’s pop-up notifications and alerts can sometimes interrupt your work or gaming experience. By enabling Silent Mode, you can prevent AVG from displaying notifications or interfering with your activities while it performs scans and other background tasks.
How to Enable Silent Mode:
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Open AVG.
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Go to Menu > Settings > General.
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Toggle the Silent Mode switch to On.
This will ensure that AVG runs quietly in the background, reducing distractions and maintaining focus.
3. Adjust Real-Time Protection Settings
AVG’s real-time protection actively monitors files and websites for threats. While this is essential for security, it can be resource-heavy. You can reduce its impact on system resources by adjusting its settings to focus on the most critical tasks.
How to Customize Real-Time Protection:
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Open AVG.
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Go to Menu > Settings > Protection.
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Under Core Protection, toggle off less critical options like PUP (Potentially Unwanted Programs) detection if it’s not necessary for you.
By turning off certain features, AVG will use fewer resources while still offering solid protection against the most dangerous threats.
4. Limit Background Processes and Start-Up Programs
AVG runs certain processes in the background, such as updates and scans, that can affect system performance. You can limit these background processes by controlling what starts with Windows and adjusting AVG’s internal settings.
How to Adjust Background Processes:
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Open AVG and go to Menu > Settings > General.
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Disable unnecessary features under Components that you do not regularly use, such as Identity Protection or Firewall (if you have a third-party firewall).
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In the Windows Task Manager, go to the Startup tab and disable AVG’s unnecessary processes from starting up automatically.
By controlling which processes run in the background, you’ll free up system resources for other applications.
5. Use AVG TuneUp for System Optimization
AVG TuneUp is a powerful tool that can help reduce AVG’s impact on system resources. It scans your computer for unnecessary files, fixes issues, and optimizes startup processes. By using TuneUp regularly, you can improve your computer’s overall performance while still keeping AVG active and up to date.
How to Use AVG TuneUp:
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Download and install AVG TuneUp (if you don’t have it already).
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Open AVG TuneUp and run a System Scan.
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Use One-Click Maintenance to clean up junk files and optimize system settings.
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Schedule regular maintenance scans to keep your system running smoothly.
Using TuneUp will help AVG run more efficiently while minimizing its impact on your system.
6. Adjust Update Settings to Reduce Bandwidth Usage
AVG updates its virus definitions and security features regularly to keep your system protected. However, frequent updates can consume bandwidth and slow down your system, especially if they occur during high-usage times. You can adjust update settings to limit this impact.
How to Adjust Update Settings:
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Open AVG.
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Go to Menu > Settings > Update.
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Set updates to occur during off-peak hours, or choose Only update when the PC is idle to ensure updates don’t interfere with active tasks.
This will help reduce AVG’s impact on your system’s performance during crucial activities.
7. Enable Low-Impact Mode for Lighter Scanning
AVG offers a Low-Impact Mode that reduces the amount of system resources used while scanning. Enabling this mode can ensure that AVG scans are performed with minimal disruption to your PC’s performance.
How to Enable Low-Impact Mode:
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Open AVG.
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Go to Menu > Settings > General.
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Enable Low-Impact Mode under Performance.
This setting will prioritize system speed over deep scanning, ensuring AVG performs necessary checks while using fewer resources.
8. Use Cloud-Based Protection
AVG offers cloud-based scanning technology, which offloads some of the processing from your local machine. This reduces the strain on your system’s resources while still providing solid protection.
How to Enable Cloud-Based Protection:
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Open AVG.
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Go to Menu > Settings > Protection.
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Toggle on Cloud-based Protection under Core Protection.
Cloud-based protection helps ensure your system remains secure without consuming unnecessary local resources.
Conclusion
By following these simple steps, you can reduce AVG’s impact on your system resources while maintaining strong protection. Scheduling scans, using Silent Mode, customizing real-time protection, and utilizing AVG TuneUp are all effective ways to keep your computer running smoothly. These settings allow you to enjoy the full benefits of AVG’s security features without sacrificing performance.
