Note (October 2026): BullGuard was discontinued by Norton and Bitdefender QuickScan now redirects to a downloadable Windows app, so those entries are corrected below; several of the other tools are small Windows downloads rather than in-browser scanners.
Online virus scanners are free tools that check a file, link or computer for malware without a full antivirus subscription. As of October 2026, VirusTotal, MetaDefender Cloud and Dr.Web check uploaded files and URLs in the browser, while ESET Online Scanner, F-Secure Online Scanner, Trend Micro HouseCall and Microsoft Safety Scanner are free one-time Windows scanners you download and run. None of them replaces real-time antivirus protection.
Key Takeaways
- Upload scanners (VirusTotal, MetaDefender Cloud, Dr.Web online check) test a single file or link against antivirus engines in the browser; VirusTotal says it uses over 70 scanners and blocklisting services.
- Downloadable one-time scanners (ESET, F-Secure, Trend Micro HouseCall, Microsoft Safety Scanner) scan and clean a whole Windows PC, but do not stay running afterward.
- BullGuard is no longer sold or supported, and the Bitdefender QuickScan address now leads to Bitdefender Antivirus Free.
- Never upload private documents to a public scanner: VirusTotal states that submitted files may be shared with its premium customers.
- For ongoing protection, keep a real-time antivirus such as the Microsoft Defender Antivirus built into Windows switched on and updated.
Online virus scanners are a must have in this internet driven world. There are several scams and notorious activities going on online. Your personal information is at risk if malware gets onto your computer, and a free online virus scanner is a quick way to get a second opinion on a suspicious file, link or PC. It is sensible to check any unexpected file, attachment or download before you open it, especially if it arrived by email or from an unfamiliar website.
Free Online Virus Scanners You Can Trust
Online virus scanners come in two types: upload scanners that check one file or URL in your browser, and small downloadable programs that scan a whole Windows PC once. Some tools that were popular when this list was first written have since closed or changed, so each entry below notes its status as of October 2026. To make this task easier for you, we have compiled a list of some of the best online virus scanners.
Here is a look.
BitDefender Quick Scan
Bitdefender QuickScan was Bitdefender’s free browser-based scanner. As of October 2026, the old QuickScan address redirects to Bitdefender Antivirus Free, a free downloadable antivirus for Windows (Bitdefender lists Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 or later) that includes real-time protection, scanning and malware removal.
You can check your documents using this scanner within no time. How long a full drive scan takes depends on how many files are on the drive. Any virus or spyware Bitdefender detects can be removed from the same app. The original QuickScan relied on Bitdefender’s remote servers for the analysis. So, it does not impact your computer’s speed.
Virus Total
VirusTotal, owned by Google’s Chronicle unit since 2018, is one of the best-known online virus scanners. It lets anyone upload a file or submit a website address for checking. According to VirusTotal, each submission is checked by over 70 antivirus scanners and URL/domain blocklisting services. Wikipedia reports that files up to 650 MB can be uploaded through the website.
You can make use of these features to keep your system safe. It also checks URLs, and files up to 32 MB can be sent to it by email. A clean result lowers the risk but is not a guarantee, because brand-new malware may not yet be detected. VirusTotal works in a web browser, so it can be used from Windows, Mac, Android or any other device with a browser.
Panda Active Scan
Panda Active Scan was the online scanner from Panda Security, which now describes itself as a WatchGuard Technologies brand. As of October 2026, the old ActiveScan address redirects to Panda Dome Free, a free downloadable antivirus that Panda lists for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. Panda’s scanner offered a Quick Scan option. You can quickly scan your files and folders using this option. However, the Full Scan option is considered better. This is because it thoroughly checks your system for viruses.
Trend Micro Housecall
Trend Micro, a security company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, offers HouseCall as a free scanner for Windows PCs. Trend Micro Housecall reads your computer files and folders. Trend Micro says HouseCall can detect and fix viruses, worms, spyware and other malicious threats.
HouseCall is a small download that you run when needed rather than a permanent antivirus. Trend Micro notes that scan time depends on the size of your drives, the type of scan chosen, and the speed of the computer and internet connection. Rather than assuming older versions such as Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 are covered, check Trend Micro’s download page for the Windows versions HouseCall currently supports.
Metadefender – Online Virus Scanner
MetaDefender Cloud is a multiscanning service run by the security company OPSWAT. OPSWAT says it scans files with 20+ anti-malware engines and can also check URLs, IP addresses, domains and file hashes. It allows uploading any kind of file and scans it quickly. Upload size limits and daily scan limits depend on whether you use it anonymously, with a free account or on a paid plan, so check OPSWAT’s licensing page before uploading a large file. You can scan files one after the other. It marks the damaged or infected files in red.
Dr. Web
Dr.Web online check, from the makers of Dr.Web antivirus, checks single uploaded files and URLs; the page states that a file must not exceed 10 MB. The online scanner is easy to use. You can run it on your system swiftly. The results displayed by it are easy to understand. Thus, you quickly know which documents are good to use and which ones are not. Because of the 10 MB limit, Dr.Web online check suits documents and small downloads rather than large installers.
ESET Free Online Scanner
ESET is a well-known IT security company. ESET Online Scanner is a free, one-time malware check that you download and run on a Windows PC; ESET says it finds and removes viruses, trojans, spyware, ransomware and phishing threats. A full scan takes longer than a few seconds, depending on the size of the drive.
ESET also offers paid antivirus products with real-time protection. The Online Scanner itself runs only on Windows, while ESET’s wider range covers platforms such as Windows, Android and macOS (check ESET’s site for current Linux support). A one-time scanner is a cleanup tool; continuous protection needs a real-time antivirus.
Bull Guard Virus Scan
BullGuard Virus Scan is no longer available. BullGuard became part of NortonLifeLock (now Gen Digital), stopped selling its products on July 25, 2022, and Norton states that it no longer sells or supports BullGuard products and services. When it was available, the scan required installing a browser extension.
That extension let BullGuard Virus Scan read files on the computer. It checks different kinds of files and processes. It also scans through plug-ins and internet connections. Former BullGuard customers were moved to Norton products, so anyone still looking for this scanner should choose one of the working tools in this list instead.
F-secure Online Scanner
F-Secure Online Scanner is a free Windows tool from the security company F-Secure that finds and removes viruses, malware and spyware. You download a small .exe file and run it; F-Secure lists Windows 10 (version 22H2 or newer) on x64 PCs and Windows 11 (version 24H2 or newer) on ARM64 PCs, and advises uninstalling other antivirus programs first. The application is very small and easy to install. It does a thorough check and reports about viruses and spyware within no time.
Avira
Avira, a German security company owned by Gen Digital since 2021, makes antivirus apps for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. Avira’s free online option is a submission form for suspicious files and URLs rather than an instant scanner. The form has five file slots, asks for your email address, and lets you mark each file as suspected malware or a suspected false positive; Avira says new malware found this way is added to its signature database.
These are some of the best-known online and on-demand scanners, with BullGuard now discontinued. You can scan your files, folders and documents using these scanners. They keep your computer systems safe and your information secure.
And the best part is that these are available for free. You do not require spending anything in order to use these. Safeguarding the computer systems has never been this easy.
If you haven’t downloaded one yet, it is time you do. Pair it with a real-time antivirus and regular updates, as described below.
Some software gets accused unfairly — is MacKeeper a virus looks at the facts.
Online Virus Scanners Compared
The table summarizes each tool’s status as of October 2026, based on the makers’ own pages.
| Tool | Type | What it checks | Status and limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| VirusTotal | Upload scanner (browser) | Files, URLs | Free; over 70 scanners and blocklists; uploads up to 650 MB via the website |
| MetaDefender Cloud (OPSWAT) | Upload scanner (browser) | Files, URLs, IPs, domains, hashes | Free tier available; limits depend on plan |
| Dr.Web online check | Upload scanner (browser) | Files, URLs | Free; files up to 10 MB |
| ESET Online Scanner | One-time download | Whole Windows PC | Free; Windows only |
| F-Secure Online Scanner | One-time download | Whole Windows PC | Free; Windows 10 22H2+ (x64) or Windows 11 24H2+ (ARM64) |
| Trend Micro HouseCall | One-time download | Whole Windows PC | Free |
| Microsoft Safety Scanner | One-time download | Whole Windows PC | Free; expires 10 days after download |
| Bitdefender QuickScan | Replaced | – | Address now leads to Bitdefender Antivirus Free (Windows app) |
| Panda Active Scan | Replaced | – | Address now leads to Panda Dome Free |
| BullGuard Virus Scan | Discontinued | – | No longer sold or supported by Norton |
| Avira | Submission form | Suspicious files, URLs | Free; email required; results feed Avira’s signatures |
Microsoft Safety Scanner: The Built-In Alternative for Windows
Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free Microsoft tool that finds and removes malware from Windows computers. According to Microsoft, it only scans when you run it, it expires 10 days after download, and it does not replace an anti-malware product. Microsoft recommends downloading the latest version before each scan and relying on Microsoft Defender Antivirus for real-time protection on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
How to Check a Suspicious File Before Opening It
- Do not open the file. Save it to your Downloads folder without running it.
- Ask whether it contains anything private. If it does, do not upload it to a public scanner; scan it locally with your installed antivirus instead.
- Upload it to one multi-engine scanner such as VirusTotal or MetaDefender Cloud, or to Dr.Web if it is under 10 MB.
- Read the result carefully. Several engines flagging the file is a strong warning; one obscure engine flagging a common program can be a false positive.
- For a suspicious link, paste the URL into the scanner instead of clicking it.
- If the file came from someone you know, confirm with them through a separate channel before opening it.
Privacy: What Happens to Files You Upload
Uploading a file to an online scanner means handing a copy to a third party. VirusTotal states that the contents of submitted files may be shared with its premium customers and that basic results are shared with its partners. Contracts, tax forms, ID scans and other personal documents should therefore be checked locally, not uploaded. Avira’s submission form also asks for your email address, which it processes under its privacy policy.
What an Online Scanner Cannot Do
An online virus scanner is a second opinion, not protection. Upload scanners only see the one file you send, and one-time scanners stop working once the scan ends. They do not block a malicious download as it happens, and a clean result does not prove a file is safe. Learn how stealthy threats hide in our guide to rootkit virus scans, and how file-encrypting attacks work in common types of ransomware.
What to Do If a Scan Finds Malware
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends these steps if you think a computer is infected:
- Disconnect the computer from the internet.
- Scan the whole system with up-to-date antivirus software and let it quarantine what it finds.
- Change passwords from a clean device, including passwords saved in the browser, and watch bank accounts for unusual activity. You can also check whether your passwords have been compromised.
- Get help from your IT department or a professional if needed, and reinstall the operating system with all security patches if the infection cannot be removed.
CISA also advises keeping software patched and being wary of unsolicited email attachments and links, the most common way malware arrives; see common email scams and how to avoid them. Mac users can read whether a Mac needs antivirus, since most of the downloadable scanners above are Windows-only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are online virus scanners safe to use?
Online virus scanners from established security companies, such as VirusTotal, MetaDefender Cloud, ESET and F-Secure, are safe to use when downloaded or opened from the maker’s official site. The main risk is privacy: VirusTotal states that uploaded files may be shared with premium customers, so do not upload personal documents.
Can an online virus scanner remove viruses?
Upload scanners such as VirusTotal and Dr.Web online check only report whether a file or link looks malicious; they cannot clean your computer. Downloadable one-time scanners such as ESET Online Scanner, F-Secure Online Scanner, Trend Micro HouseCall and Microsoft Safety Scanner can find and remove malware from a Windows PC.
Is VirusTotal free?
VirusTotal is free to use for checking files and URLs through its website, and files up to 650 MB can be uploaded there, according to Wikipedia. Google’s Chronicle unit has owned VirusTotal since 2018, and VirusTotal also has premium customers who can access submitted files.
Do I still need antivirus if I use an online scanner?
Yes. Microsoft states that its Safety Scanner does not replace an anti-malware product, and the same applies to other on-demand scanners. Windows 10 and 11 include Microsoft Defender Antivirus for real-time protection, which should stay switched on and updated.
Is BullGuard Virus Scan still available?
No. BullGuard products stopped being sold on July 25, 2022, after BullGuard became part of NortonLifeLock, and Norton states that it no longer sells or supports BullGuard products and services.
