Cannot download or install antivirus software on Windows 10

If you can not download or install antivirus software or the Microsoft Safety scanner, it is entirely possible that your Windows 10/8/7 computer is infected with malicious software, which blocks the download of any security software.

Can not download antivirus software

A virus can prevent the download or installation of antivirus software and avoid being detected or removed from your system. This can even invalidate your existing antivirus installation. If you encounter this problem, here are some solutions:

1. Run a scan with the help of an on-demand antivirus from a USB stick
2. Try to download the security software in clean boot mode or safe mode.

Let's see this in detail.

1) Run a scan with the help of an on-demand antivirus from a USB stick

Download stand-alone antivirus software on a separate PC and scan your PC from USB or removable media.

1. On an uninfected computer, download the antivirus software.
2. Save the file to a USB flash drive or removable media.
3. When the file download is complete, remove the USB device.
4. Connect the USB key to the infected system.
5. Double-click the downloaded file on the removable media.
6. If you are prompted to run the file as administrator, click Yes.
7. Read the license agreement and accept the terms.
8. Click on Next, then follow the on-screen instructions to run the scan.

If the tool detects infections, it will identify the malware that it detected, and then remove that malicious program from your computer.

• Once the tool is finished, restart your PC.
• Update your existing dedicated installed security software, and then run a full scan using it.

2) Download the security software in clean boot mode or safe mode.

If you do not have any other computers, start in safe mode with networking or cleanup, then check if you can download the antivirus software. Once done, use it, preferably, to run a full boot scan.

Can not install antivirus software

If you can download an antivirus but can not install it, there may have been traces of the previous installation of your antivirus software on your computer.

Use an antivirus removal tool for your previous security software in order to uninstall it completely.

Read more: How to check or test if Antivirus is working properly or not.