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I want a Windows antivirus/antispyware solution that I can use solely for on demand scanning of downloaded files and USB thumb drives.

I don't want it to load anything at startup, save perhaps a right click "Scan This" shell extension.

I definitely don't want it loading any sort of on access resident scanning.

Recommendations?

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3 Answers

up vote 7 down vote accepted

Easy, ClamWin. More free & open source suggestions from yours truly.

Straight off the site:

Please note that ClamWin Free Antivirus does not include an on-access real-time scanner. You need to manually scan a file in order to detect a virus or spyware.

also

Standalone virus scanner and right-click menu integration to Microsoft Windows Explorer; (context menu)

sounds like what you're looking for!

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Usually I don't mind using open source software but for something like AV that needs continual updates, I'm a bit more sceptical. Do you have any references on how frequently and consistently it gets updated? – LachlanG Jul 26 '09 at 6:35
Clamav is very frequently updated. It is primarily used on many mail servers to scan e-mails. – hayalci Jul 26 '09 at 13:45
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up vote 0 down vote

Panda Cloud

from their site:

Panda Cloud Antivirus protects you while you browse, play or work and you won’t even notice it. It is extremely light as all the work is done in the cloud.

Panda Cloud Antivirus provides you with the fastest protection against the newest viruses thanks to its cloud-scanning from PandaLabs’ servers.

Panda Cloud Antivirus is truly install and forget. Don’t worry about updates, configuration or complicated decisions ever again.

I'm not completely familiar with the program and it's only now coming out of beta I think, but I think it let's you do on demand file-scanning and doesn't really load your computer (unless for it's initial scanning procedure).

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Hmmz I know found some reviews that claimed it did load the computer though :-\ Though it may be when doing some full scan or something... – Ivo Flipse♦ Jul 26 '09 at 11:54
this doesn't happen any more if you use a new version. (except once after the installation because it scans the files in the background - but on a not to slow computer, you won't even feel this much during usage) – BasisBit Jan 29 '10 at 3:56
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up vote 0 down vote

Avast comes with 7 "providers":

  • Internet Mail
  • Instant Messaging
  • Network Shield
  • Outlook/Exchange
  • P2P Shield
  • Standard Shield
  • Web Shield

It's configurable so you can stop the ones you're not interested in. You can also customise the providers that are running to be as light weight as you want.

I'm using it in it's standard configuration with 6 providers running (I haven't got Outlook/Exchange running) and I haven't noticed it slowing my machine down in any way.

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