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Although Windows XP was officially retired by Microsoft in 2014, there are still businesses that rely on it for specific software, industry needs, or hardware compatibility. If you’re one of the few organizations running Windows XP in 2025, you already know the challenges that come with maintaining an unsupported system.
In our previous blog, we discussed how to secure Windows XP in a world filled with cyber threats. Today, we’ll dive deeper into securing your Windows XP system with the best antivirus software to ensure protection against potential malware and viruses, even though the operating system is outdated.
If you’re running Windows XP, using antivirus software is essential. Let’s explore the top antivirus options that can help you secure your legacy system, especially if it’s offline or only connected via a secure network.
While keeping Windows XP offline is a good first step to limiting exposure to online threats, it’s not enough. As mentioned in our previous blog, external storage devices (like USB drives or external hard drives) can still carry malware that could infect your system. Additionally, older Windows XP machines may have dormant malware from previous internet connections that could be activated even when offline.
Choosing a reliable antivirus software for Windows XP can help mitigate these risks, providing an added layer of protection for your legacy devices.
Here are the best antivirus solutions available for Windows XP users in 2025, designed to offer solid protection against offline threats, external devices, and potential malware lurking on outdated systems.
Bitdefender has earned its reputation as a top-notch antivirus solution.
It uses advanced threat detection algorithms that don’t require constant system updates, which is a critical feature for those stuck with an outdated OS like XP.
Detects and removes known malware in real-time.
Bitdefender runs smoothly on older machines without slowing down the system.
Can detect malware on external devices connected to your Windows XP machine.
Bitdefender’s free edition is lightweight, making it ideal for old systems with limited resources. Its proactive detection mechanisms will help safeguard your device against external malware.
Businesses using legacy systems face significant challenges in ensuring their networks remain secure, especially with the increased use of personal devices by employees.
That’s why Syn-Star has created this comprehensive guide to help you keep your business secure.
Avast has long been a popular choice for Windows users. While Avast is known for its solid protection capabilities, users of XP can enjoy offline protection and reliable scanning of external storage devices.
Detects viruses, malware, and even older threats.
Helps guard against unsafe websites and online vulnerabilities.
Protects against potential threats when your device is connected to the network.
Avast provides good protection without bogging down your older system. It’s easy to install and use, which is perfect for non-technical users still relying on Windows XP.
ESET’s NOD32 Antivirus is known for its lightweight performance and strong malware protection, which makes it a top choice for businesses still running Windows XP.
Unlike some antivirus programs, NOD32 is designed to run efficiently on older hardware, ensuring your system is protected without significant performance loss.
Uses advanced algorithms for quick and efficient malware detection.
Works even when your system is disconnected from the internet.
Scans external storage devices for malware before allowing them to interact with your XP machine.
ESET NOD32 is lightweight, efficient, and offers advanced protection for legacy systems like Windows XP that are disconnected or have limited internet access.4
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Kaspersky is renowned for its excellent detection rates and strong security features, and it’s still a reliable antivirus choice for Windows XP users in 2025. Kaspersky offers a solid offline mode that can help prevent malware from spreading via external devices or dormant malware on your system.
Constant monitoring for any suspicious behaviour or malware activities.
Kaspersky runs well on systems with older hardware and minimal resources.
Even though Windows XP no longer receives updates, Kaspersky continues to provide timely updates to stay effective.
Kaspersky has an offline mode that works effectively on systems like Windows XP, preventing infections from spreading even when the system is isolated from the internet.
AVG is another reputable antivirus option that still supports Windows XP. It focuses on detecting and removing malware that could potentially harm your legacy machine, especially when using external drives or connecting to other devices.
Scans for viruses, malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks.
Helps prevent malware from accessing critical business files.
Easy to use for non-technical users.
AVG’s free version offers excellent protection while being light on resources. It is a good choice for small businesses that still rely on older systems and need basic antivirus protection.
Short answer: No. Free antivirus software is not a safe or reliable way to protect a Windows XP system today.
While free antivirus tools can offer basic real-time scanning and malware detection on modern operating systems, they are not designed to secure an OS that has been unsupported for more than a decade.
Most major antivirus vendors like Avast, AVG, Avira, Bitdefender, Microsoft Security Essentials, and others have discontinued updates, compatibility, or support for Windows XP.
Without support, the antivirus cannot recognise new malware, cannot patch vulnerabilities in the security engine itself, and may fail to run properly.
Modern threats exploit deep system-level vulnerabilities.
Windows XP lacks:
Memory protection technologies (DEP, ASLR improvements),
Hardened network stacks,
modern authentication and encryption features,
patched kernel and driver vulnerabilities.
Even the best antivirus cannot compensate for an operating system that is inherently unsafe and cannot be updated.
Free antivirus products typically offer:
reduced detection capabilities,
slower update cycles,
no advanced ransomware or exploit protection,
no web shield or email scanning,
no firewall enhancements.
Combine those limitations with an ancient OS, and malware can slip through with ease.
Because XP is still used by some embedded systems around the world, attackers continue creating malware engineered specifically for it.
Unsupported antivirus engines are not prepared to detect or block these threats.
Running outdated, unsupported antivirus on XP creates the illusion that the machine is protected. In reality, the system remains wide open to:
drive-by exploits,
rootkits,
ransomware,
credential theft,
botnet infections,
network worms like WannaCry-style attacks.
This false confidence often leads users to take risks they otherwise wouldn’t.
Want to discuss how to securely use legacy operating systems without compromising your business security.
Ensure that the antivirus software is compatible with your Windows XP system. Not all modern antivirus programs will support outdated operating systems.
Consider antivirus solutions that offer offline scanning of external drives, USB devices, or CDs. This is crucial for Windows XP systems, as they remain vulnerable through external media.
Choose an antivirus that doesn’t heavily impact system performance. Older Windows XP machines have limited resources, so lightweight software like ESET NOD32 or Bitdefender will work best.
Even though Windows XP doesn’t get updates, a solid antivirus like Kaspersky or Avast will continue to provide regular updates to ensure protection against evolving threats.
While antivirus software is essential, it’s important to follow additional steps to secure your Windows XP system:
As we mentioned in our previous blog, one of the most important ways to secure your XP machine is by keeping it disconnected from the internet. This reduces the chances of malware and cyberattacks.
Always consult with an IT expert when setting up or maintaining your Windows XP system. They can help implement additional security measures, such as custom firewalls and antivirus scans.
Be cautious about connecting USB drives, external hard drives, or even CDs to your Windows XP system. Always scan these devices for viruses before use.
Yes. Even if your Windows XP machine is offline (like it should be), antivirus software is still essential.
USB sticks, external hard drives, and old CDs can carry malware, and XP systems often contain dormant threats from previous internet use.
Antivirus provides a much-needed extra layer of protection for legacy machines that cannot be upgraded.
These are our top 5 picks.
Bitdefender Antivirus – lightweight, strong real-time protection, excellent offline scanning.
Avast – easy to use, reliable for virus detection, protects well when XP systems connect to secure networks.
ESET NOD32 Antivirus – extremely lightweight with fast scanning and excellent offline protection.
Kaspersky Anti-Virus – high detection rates, real-time monitoring, and still provides regular definition updates.
AVG AntiVirus – simple, effective, and good for scanning external storage.
All of these solutions offer practical protection for legacy systems that rely on offline or semi-isolated networks.
For offline or isolated environments, Bitdefender, ESET NOD32, and Kaspersky Anti-Virus are ideal.
They offer:
Reliable offline scanning
Protection against malware on external devices
Lightweight performance suitable for older XP hardware
These tools don’t depend heavily on real-time online updates to remain effective.
Many modern antivirus programs no longer support XP, but the listed solutions in this article have been chosen specifically as they continue to provide definition updates or legacy support.
Kaspersky, Avast, and AVG in particular still supply updates for older versions compatible with XP.
We have highlighted Bitdefender Edition and ESET NOD32 as the best performers on older hardware.
Both are designed to run smoothly with minimal resource usage, making them perfect for business environments where upgrading is difficult.
Yes. All recommended antivirus programs in this article especially ESET NOD32 and Bitdefender can provide strong protection against malware on external devices.
This is critical for Windows XP, since offline systems are often exposed through removable media rather than the internet.
Yes. Avast Antivirus still performs well on XP in 2025, providing:
Real-time virus detection
Web Shield (if connected to a secure network)
Reliable scanning of external storage
It’s especially suitable for users who want a simple, familiar interface.
Yes. Kaspersky remains one of the strongest antivirus solutions for XP, offering:
Excellent detection rates
Offline scanning modes
Lightweight performance
Automatic malware definition updates (even though XP itself is no longer supported by Microsoft)
Our article suggests it as a reliable, enterprise-friendly option for legacy systems.
Key criteria to consider:
Compatibility — must support Windows XP
External device protection — crucial for offline systems
Performance — XP hardware is limited, so lightweight solutions are essential
Regular definition updates — antivirus must stay current even if XP can’t
Antivirus is only one part of protecting XP. You also should:
Keep the system offline whenever possible
Limit external device use (USB, external drives, CDs)
Scan all external media before opening
Consult an IT professional for firewall configuration and ongoing maintenance
Keep legacy systems isolated from your main business network
These extra steps dramatically reduce risk for unsupported operating systems like XP.
Giles Cleverley founded Syn-Star in 2002 shortly after graduating from Portsmouth university with an honours degree in Business & Economics.
His extensive knowledge and experience in IT strategy and business technology solutions. He is passionate about driving innovation and delivering tailored IT support that helps UK small and medium size businesses thrive. Under his leadership, Syn-Star continues to provide cutting-edge managed IT services designed to meet the evolving needs of modern organisations.
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