When it comes to Windows operating system security, Avast antivirus is undoubtedly one of the most widely used programs. This is because, despite appearances, it offers virtually as much protection as a paid antivirus in terms of threat detection, which is why it's considered one of the best antivirus programs for Windows 10.
The standard and recommended installation method for most devices, as it offers the best protection from the start, requires an active internet connection during the download process. However, you might not have an internet connection on your device for any reason and still need minimal protection ; in that case, you can use this tutorial.
How to install Avast Free Antivirus on a Windows computer without an Internet connection
In this case, the steps for installing the antivirus are very similar to those for installing Avast with an internet connection . However, the file to download is not the same, since the one downloaded by default from the official Avast website requires an internet connection . Despite this, they have taken this into account, and therefore provide an advanced download page.
To do this, you'll first need to access Avast's alternative downloads through this link to the official website . Once there, you'll see a small table with all the available download options, as well as the online and offline installers for the antivirus for different operating systems. Select the offline file for Windows.
Once you've downloaded the file, all you need to do is move it to your offline computer . You can do this using a physical storage device like a USB drive or similar, copying it from one computer to another.
Once you've done this, you'll only need to open the file on your computer without an internet connection, and the Avast Free Antivirus installer will open . Just like with the traditional version, the first thing you'll see is a window allowing you to install the software or customize it. Especially if you have a low-performance or older computer, it's recommended that you click the "Customize" button and modify some of the options, since some features, like the web shield, might not be necessary and, if installed, could negatively impact your computer's performance. Also, remember that once installed, you'll have the option to install additional extensions.
The window will then close to begin the installation, and you can see its progress in the bottom right corner . Keep in mind that it will be somewhat faster than the classic version since no download is required, although the speed may vary depending on your computer's performance.
Does Avast offer the same offline protection?
Once installed, the key question arises: will it protect against threats? Unlike other free antivirus programs, its protection isn't entirely cloud-based; it also provides local protection by downloading virus definitions. This means that unless you connect your computer to the internet in the future, Avast will use the virus definitions available at the time of the download . While it will detect many potential threats, new ones will be developed over time and, naturally, won't be added.
Therefore, it's advisable to connect to the internet periodically if you want to be truly secure. However, it's also important to keep in mind that keeping your computer disconnected significantly reduces the risk of infection, except when connecting external devices, since most modern threats are transmitted over the internet.