Aug 9

To protect your computer against viruses and hacking attempts you have to install security software. This page will list all sofware that is known to be compatible with Windows Server 2008. If you are using an application that isn’t listed here or if you are aware of an application that absolutely doesn’t work, please add a comment with the <Application Name>, <Version: Home, Business, …>, <Website>, and <Known Compatibility Issues>! You can also always look at the Non-R2 Windows Server 2008 Security Software Compatibility list.

Security Software Compatibility

Application Name Website Compatible Issues Fix
Avast! Home Edition http://www.avast.com/ Yes - -
AVG Free 8.x http://free.avg.com/ Yes Won't install on Server OS. Win2008Workstation.com SS List (with an Addition & Note)
AVG Free 9.0 Beta https://secure.avg.com/ww.70888 No Won't install on Server OS. Previous fix doesn't work. -
AVG Internet Security SBS Edition http://www.avg.com/product-avg-internet-security-sbs-edition Yes - -
Avira AntiVir Personal Edition http://www.freeav.com/ Yes Cannot be installed on a Server OS Forum Topic
BitDefender Internet Security 2009/2010 http://www.bitdefender.com/ No Details  
Comodo Anti-virus http://www.comodo.com/ Yes - -
ESET Home Editions http://www.eset.com/ Yes Won't install Use workaround
ESET NOD32 Antivirus 4 Business Edition http://www.eset.com/ Yes - -
ESET Smart Security Business Edition (x64) http://www.eset.com/smartsecurity/ Yes - -
F-Secure Internet Security 2010 http://www.f-secure.com/ No "You can't run F-Secure Internet Security 2010 on a server system." -
Gdata Internet Security 2010 http://www.gdatasoftware.com/ Yes - -
Kaspersky Anti-virus http://www.kaspersky.com/ Yes Operating System not supported. Comment
Microsoft Security Essentials http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/ Yes Won't install Forum Topic
Outpost Firewall Pro 2009 http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/ Yes - -
Panda Cloud Antivirus, Free version http://www.cloudantivirus.com/ No The free version does not support server OS -
PC Tools Internet Security 2010 http://www.pctools.com/internet-security/ Yes - -
Symantec Endpoint Protection http://www.symantec.com/endpointsecurity/ Yes Don't use threat protection. Only AV. -
VIPRE http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Home-Home-Office/VIPRE/ Yes - -
ZoneAlarm Extreme Security http://www.zonealarm.com/ No Details -


All credits for keeping this list up-to-date go to Win2008[R2]Workstation crew member xxcom9a!


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36 comments so far...

  • sps Said on August 25th, 2009 at 3:34 am:

    Comodo Anti Virus works ok!
    I downloaded the suite (AV+FW) and just installed the AV part, skipped the firewall.
    Automatic updating working too!
    So far so good!

  • ledzep Said on August 29th, 2009 at 6:41 pm:

    OK, as expected Eset Smart Security Business Edition x64 works very well. The home editions of eset (smart security and antivirus) do not install at all.

    Kaspersky Anti-Virus v9.0.0.463 works very well too, although you have to:
    1. Edit with an msi editor (such as orca) the kav.en.msi (extracted from the kav9.0.0.463en.exe manually or during installation in programdata\kaspersky…) to remove any “incompatible OS” entry.
    2. Optional: Start the installation from cmd with the switch:
    C:\…..\setup.exe /pSKIPPRODUCTCHECK=1
    if you want to install it with another antivirus such as eset, like I did.

  • Nicolas Said on September 7th, 2009 at 12:49 am:

    Zone Alarm Extreme Security does not work. I used the latest version that was said to be compatible with windows 7 but it kept saying that the windows version is newer than expected and I should download the latest zone alarm instalation package, which I already had it… I tried compatibility tool in order to instal using 2008 SP1 compatibility. It was instaled ok but right after the first reboot, WerFault.exe process started to multiply until my system was unusable. Tried to disable error reporting but nothing gained. The overflow is so quick that you cannot uninstal zone labs product and must reboot in safe mode.

  • Sean Said on September 11th, 2009 at 2:46 pm:

    Symantec Endpoint Protection 11.0.4 works as long as you only use the Anti-Virus components. The threat protection packages do not play well in server OS’s.

  • sps Said on September 12th, 2009 at 5:22 am:

    VIPRE (ver 3.1.2837) by Sunbelt also works fine, no tricks necessary!

    http://www.vipreantivirus.com/
    or
    http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Home-Home-Office/VIPRE/

    It’s shareware…

  • Geo Said on September 20th, 2009 at 3:47 am:

    Warning! I downloaded the AVG 9.0 beta and tried to use the tweak that worked for 8.5. The tweak has failed because Grisoft has changed the AVG installer. Looks like our days of AVG working on a server OS are numbered.
    :(

  • Geo Said on September 20th, 2009 at 3:48 am:

    Oh, should probably note that the 8.5 tweak listed on win2008workstation.com still works. It is located: http://www.win2008workstation.com/win2008/security-software

  • John Gitmann Said on September 25th, 2009 at 10:59 pm:

    For AVG 8.5 do not download the latest file from grisoft of CNET (thats only about 850 Kb), that does not contain the agvsetup.exe program. Use filehippo.com to download an older version of 8.5 (the download is about 65 Mb), that contains the ‘full install’

  • Portalcake Said on September 28th, 2009 at 1:00 pm:

    avast! Home works on Server 08 R2, use the same trick as in Server 08 R1 :) )
    Cheers
    BTW, have tested on a x64 machine (as if this wasnt obvious by now)

  • Zach Said on October 9th, 2009 at 1:07 am:

    G Data Total Care 2010 works fine. The firewall was eating some process on occassion, but that might just be my computer.

  • Geo Said on October 10th, 2009 at 6:00 pm:

    Rising Antivirus, http://www.freerav.com/, works properly without any workarounds needed.

    Spyware Doctor with Antivirus,http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor-antivirus/, appears to work without any workarounds despite the alert that says “Driver blocked due to incompatibility”. However, it may not offer full protection due to a blocked driver and it is best to wait for a Windows 7 compatible (meaning also Windows Server 2008 R2) version to be released.

  • area51 Said on October 11th, 2009 at 12:42 pm:

    as i already mentioned on the server r1 compatibility list comments:

    I’m not sure if someone has already said this, but since i found it out on my own and haven’t read about it anywhere on the web:

    Solution to all you guys, wanting to install your legal ESET NOD 32 v 4 smart security / antivirus on server 2008 r1/r2 – it works for both and x86/x64…

    just fetch your up-to-date home setup version and open the msi installer with the official microsoft orca editor (which is why i am quite sure this workaround can’t be called “illegal” in any way – otherwise they were more than naive)

    get to the Property section – and THE ONLY entry you have to change (which is why i can’t really believe it myself) is “Producttype” and change it from “eav” or “ess” depending on what product you have to “eavbe” or “essbe” – save the msi and start it – yup THERE YOU GO.. it will come up with some normal warning on the first page of setup but it will workt just the way it does on a non-server OS – you do not have the real Business Edition after installation – but still the OS check is deactivated which is what we want.

    Maybe this could be posted to the solutions comment in the above list.
    I hope this helps…

    Arris: xxcom9a is currently keeping the lists up-to-date but I think he hasn’t seen your comment there, but it’s added as a workaround now. Thanks for your comment! :)

  • servernewbie Said on October 12th, 2009 at 12:11 pm:

    Is F-Secure IS 2010 working?

  • AsciiWolf Said on October 16th, 2009 at 4:57 pm:

    ClamWin Free Antivirus (based on ClamAV) – Works out-of-box.

  • Nanda Said on October 17th, 2009 at 12:23 am:

    Trend Micro Internet Security works fine on Win2008r2.

  • joe Said on October 25th, 2009 at 3:08 pm:

    CLAMWIN works perfect. no fix needed, but has no real-time security.

    for that i use windows defender.

  • kamm Said on October 27th, 2009 at 3:27 am:

    Comodo’s free AV works fine (skipped the Comodo Firewall part during installation) including online updates (I only use AV so have turned off Defense+ permanently.)

  • Emile Said on October 29th, 2009 at 4:50 am:

    Could someone elaborate on how to install KIS 2010 on Windows Server 2008 R2?

    Thank you.

  • Emile Said on October 30th, 2009 at 2:50 am:

    That’s ok. I did it.

    Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 works fine on Windows Server 2008 R2 if you do like ledzep said about Kaspersky Anti-Virus.

  • Windows Server 2008 - Woher bekomme ich einen funktionierenden Virenscanner? - Die Hardware-Community f Said on November 5th, 2009 at 2:31 am:

    [...] [...]

  • t1welv2e Said on November 16th, 2009 at 8:25 pm:

    I have a g data. but when i want run it this doesnt run and no things occer

  • Anonymous Said on November 21st, 2009 at 12:05 am:

    For the avg free antivirus here is the full file on AVG’s Server
    http://download.avgfree.com/filedir/inst/avg_free_stf_en_90_707a1765.exe (72.4 MB)

  • Cyberian Said on November 25th, 2009 at 7:54 pm:

    And downloading this for Server 2008 R2 will help me how?????? Read the other comments re AVG 9.0!!

  • Richard Said on November 28th, 2009 at 9:11 am:

    Can someone try the Panda Cloud AV and let us know if it works under R2? It’s the best free AV out there, but I don’t want to plunge into Server 2k8 R2 without my Panda.

  • Jeffrey Said on December 3rd, 2009 at 2:00 pm:

    Another workaround for NOD32
    just install version 2.7 and it will run without any problems!
    this is confirmd bij Eset itself!

  • area51 Said on December 22nd, 2009 at 1:32 am:

    well, if you can call that a “workaround….” ;)

  • Dant Said on December 23rd, 2009 at 9:30 pm:

    im stuck with windows firewall atm
    every and all firewall software i try to install gives me BSOD.
    as soon as installation finishes, BSOD. reboot, BSOD. im forced to enter safe mode and uninstall the firewall.

    every time the event viewer shows that several services failed to start, but even if i disable them all on the registry it still gives me BSOD but with no event entry.

    kind of clueless about what it may be

    for anti virus im using Avira AntiVir Home with no problems, for installation just had to do the trick listed on the non-R2 site

  • Anonymous Said on December 24th, 2009 at 8:44 pm:

    Cyberian Said on November 25th, 2009 at 7:54 pm:

    And downloading this for Server 2008 R2 will help me how?????? Read the other comments re AVG 9.0!!

    It will help because it is not a stub and it contains the avgsetup.exe and you can extract it.

    Anonymous Said on November 21st, 2009 at 12:05 am:

    For the avg free antivirus here is the full file on AVG’s Server
    http://download.avgfree.com/filedir/inst/avg_free_stf_en_90_707a1765.exe (72.4 MB)

  • afwsl2003 Said on December 26th, 2009 at 8:28 am:

    Kaspersky works fine …. follow this method on the following link

    http://maxbarrass.blogspot.com/2008/09/installing-kaspersky-internet-security.html

    both kaspersky internet security 2009 and 2010 works… guranteed … ;-)

  • afwsl2003 Said on December 26th, 2009 at 8:36 am:

    EDIT:

    Installing Kaspersky 2009/2010 on your workstation :)

    Do this

    1. Download
    http://download.microsoft.com/download/platformsdk/sdk/update/win98mexp/en-us/3790.0/msisdk-common.3.0.cab
    2. Extract and rename “Orca_Msi.FD66E721_5AA0_41BC_AA26_1EC8F7FA1175″ to Orca.msi and install
    3. Start kis8.0.0.454en.exe and while its running from your temp folder copy the msi it creates, ill call it kis8.0.0.454en.exe.msi.
    4. Open kis8.0.0.454en.exe.msi with Orca
    5. Delete the following Actions in Tables.
    a. Table: InstallExecuteSequence
    - ErrorIncompatibleOSSet
    - ErrorIncompatibleOSShow
    - ErrorIncompatibleOSTypeSet
    - ErrorIncompatibleOSTypeShow
    - ErrorIncompatibleOSTypeWrite
    - ErrorIncompatibleOSWrite
    b. Table: InstallUISequence
    - ErrorIncompatibleOSShow
    - ErrorIncompatibleOSTypeShow
    6. Save and Run.

    you can fin the temp folder in the system drive (eg- c:) c:\PrograData\Kaspersky Lab Setup Files\\

    both kaspersky internet security 2009 and 2010 works… guranteed … ;-)

    source: http://maxbarrass.blogspot.com/2008/09/installing-kaspersky-internet-security.html

  • Ryan Said on January 10th, 2010 at 7:45 am:

    Avast 5 Beta will install but won’t update, complaining that it’s on Windows Server.

  • kaborka Said on January 10th, 2010 at 11:13 pm:

    Anyone get the Comodo firewall to work on R2?

  • unknown Said on January 20th, 2010 at 5:07 am:

    anyone get the avira premium security suite work on R2?

  • Jason Said on January 22nd, 2010 at 6:49 am:

    Avast 5 is not working on Server 2008. It will install but won’t update.

  • Will Said on January 23rd, 2010 at 9:19 pm:

    Avast 5 installs (with the registry trick) and, as others have noted, it won’t update. Unfortunately, the problem is more severe than that – it provides no realtime protection. It says it does but opening a test virus file shows that it doesn’t. Manual scanning of the file correctly detects the threat, so that part works.

  • wsecluded Said on February 22nd, 2010 at 11:40 am:

    Got Avast 5 working on R2, with updates and all, by changing the three avast services to log on as a local account (as opposed to the “Local System” account). To do this, create a new account, make it a member of “Administrators”, do Scimitar’s “Deny Read” registry hack against the new account, temporarily disable the Avast! self-defense module (in settings\troubleshooting within the Avast GUI), open server manager and assign the new account to all three avast services, restart the services, re-enable self-defense, enjoy.

    For reference, here are Scimitar’s reg hack instructions:
    *********************************************************************
    http://www.win2008workstation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=257

    “Thanks to the process monitor which was mentioned in another thread I’ve found a way to install Antivir Personal Edition which I want to share with you.

    It’s pretty simple and might work with other programms which check for a Server OS and deny the installation too.

    1.) Start –> Run –> Regedit
    2.) Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE –> SYSTEM –> CurrentControlset –> Control
    3.) Now change the permissions of the folder “ProductOptions” –> add your user account (for example Computername\Username) and deny yourself the read rights for the whole folder. Be careful not to deny the whole rights for all administrators or something like that (I tried that first cause of a black out and it leads to windows not being able to boot).
    4.) Now you should be able to install Antivir PE

    In case you want to revert the permission settings just log to your administrator account. Here you can again grant your user account full rights for “ProductOptions”.

    Up until now I didn’t notice any drawbacks but I won’t garantie that there might be some.”

    *** Firewall

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