Windows · Security & Antivirus
Kaspersky for Windows
Russia-based antivirus vendor with historically strong lab detection scores, now subject to a US government sales and update ban that US buyers must understand before choosing it.
Updated August 9, 2026 · Reviewed by SoftNexi Editorial Team, Software research and documentation
Overview
Kaspersky is a long-established antivirus vendor whose products have historically scored well in independent lab testing. However, in June 2024 the US Department of Commerce issued a rule prohibiting Kaspersky from selling its software and providing updates to US customers, citing national-security concerns tied to the company's Russian ownership; new sales and updates to existing US customers were required to stop by defined 2024 deadlines. US readers considering Kaspersky should check the current status directly with US government sources and Kaspersky's own statements, since this is a regulatory situation rather than a product feature and could change.
Outside the US, Kaspersky continues to operate as a commercial antivirus suite with real-time protection, tiered subscriptions, and the usual suite extras (VPN, password manager on higher tiers). Where it is legally available and updated, it functions like other paid suites: it replaces Microsoft Defender's real-time engine when installed and active.
Because of the US restrictions, this entry exists primarily so US readers understand why they should not rely on Kaspersky for ongoing protection sourced through unofficial channels — an antivirus product that cannot receive official updates in your market is not a safe long-term choice regardless of its historical reputation.
If you are outside the US and evaluating Kaspersky where it remains fully available, treat it like any other paid suite: compare current independent lab results and pricing on the vendor's own regional site before subscribing.
Key features
- Real-time signature and heuristic scanning where available
- Historically strong independent lab detection results
- Ransomware protection and safe-money browser protections on paid tiers
- VPN and password manager bundled at higher tiers in supported markets
- Not legally sold or updated for US customers as of the 2024 US government prohibition
System requirements
- Operating system
- Windows 11 and Windows 10 (64-bit), where the product is legally available
- Regulatory status
- Not available for new sales or updates to US customers as of a 2024 US Department of Commerce order
- Internet connection
- Required for activation and definition updates where the product is supported
How to install Kaspersky
1. Check current regional availability first
Confirm whether Kaspersky products are legally sold and updated in your country before proceeding.
2. US readers: choose an alternative
Given the 2024 US sales and update prohibition, use a supported alternative such as Bitdefender, ESET, or Microsoft Defender instead.
3. Where available, download from kaspersky.com
Only use the vendor's own regional site or an authorized reseller.
How to use it
1. Confirm update availability
An antivirus that cannot receive updates in your region should not be relied on for protection.
2. Review government guidance
US readers should consult current Department of Commerce and CISA guidance regarding Kaspersky products.
Safety and privacy
- US readers: the US government prohibited new sales and updates of Kaspersky products to US customers starting in 2024. Do not install or rely on Kaspersky software obtained outside official, currently supported channels for your region.
- Where legally available, download only from kaspersky.com or an authorized regional reseller.
- Bundled software
- The official installer, where available, does not bundle unrelated third-party software.
- Privacy
- As with any full-featured antivirus, the product inspects files and network traffic. The company's Russian ownership was central to the US government's stated national-security rationale for restricting sales — review current government guidance for details.
Known risks
- US customers cannot receive official updates, which makes continued use in the US a security risk regardless of past detection quality.
- Software obtained through unofficial channels after a sales ban carries additional tampering risk.
What's new
Pros and cons
Pros
- Historically strong independent lab detection results
- Full-featured suite options where legally available
- Long operating history in the antivirus industry
Cons
- Not sold or updated for US customers under a 2024 US government order
- Ongoing geopolitical and regulatory uncertainty
- Not a safe recommendation for US buyers regardless of past performance
- Continuing to run an unsupported build leaves a real protection gap
Verdict
US readers should not choose Kaspersky given the 2024 federal prohibition on sales and updates — pick a supported alternative like Bitdefender, ESET, Norton, or Microsoft Defender instead. Where it remains legally available and updated, it has a historically competitive detection record, but always verify current regulatory status before installing.
Frequently asked questions
Can US customers still buy or update Kaspersky?
No. A 2024 US Department of Commerce order prohibits new sales and updates of Kaspersky products to US customers; US readers should choose a supported alternative instead.
Does Kaspersky support Windows 11?
Where the product remains legally available and updated outside the US, it supports current 64-bit releases of Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Where should I download Kaspersky if it's available in my region?
Use kaspersky.com or an authorized regional reseller — never install Kaspersky software obtained outside official, currently supported channels for your region.
Is Kaspersky free?
No. Where legally available, it is sold as a paid subscription; check the developer's regional pricing page for current tiers.
Can Kaspersky run alongside Microsoft Defender?
Where it's installed as the active real-time engine, it replaces Defender's real-time protection like other paid antivirus suites — but US customers should not rely on it given the sales and update prohibition.