Kaspersky
Also called kaspersky antivirus, kav, avp.exe
A Russian consumer and business antivirus. The engine process is avp.exe. Some governments restrict use. It is not Windows Security.
What you need to know
avp.exe is Kaspersky. Regional policy is a separate question from two engines.
Kaspersky is a Russian vendor. Consumer Windows builds still sell in many countries. Some governments restrict it. On a home PC the practical fight is avp.exe plus a still-live Defender engine.
- What is it?
- Russian AV. Process is avp.exe
- Banned everywhere?
- Some governments restrict it. Consumer still sells in many regions
- Same as Defender?
- No. Two live engines is a fight
What is Kaspersky?
Kaspersky is a Russian security vendor. avp.exe is the Windows engine. Consumer SKUs still exist where the company sells them.
If you have never used it
If Task Manager shows avp.exe, that is Kaspersky, not Defender. Download consumer builds from kaspersky.com where the vendor still sells them. Some governments restrict Kaspersky on official PCs. That policy question is separate from the two-engine fight: avp.exe plus live MsMpEng.exe. This is not Windows Security and not a US in-box product.
What is it used for?
avp.exe is the protection process. It should take the slot from Defender when the product registers.
Consumer SKUs add VPN and extras as you go up. The engine name stays avp.exe.
An agency or contractor policy can forbid this vendor. That is a compliance rule, not a Foxhole score.
Who is it for?
- Home users who still buy Kaspersky in a region that sells it
- People who see avp.exe and wonder if it is Defender
- Admins checking a restriction list before they leave it installed
Current status
Consumer SKUs remain on sale in many regions. Some governments restrict or ban use on official systems. This article is the Windows consumer app.
How old is it?
Kaspersky Lab shipped consumer AV in the late 1990s. Current Windows SKUs still sell in many regions. US federal civilian agencies were directed to remove it. A 2009 KAV box is not the current installer.
Versions
Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.
System requirements
Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.
Minimum
| Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11, per current Kaspersky consumer pages |
|---|---|
| RAM | Kaspersky lists a 2 GB class minimum on many consumer SKUs |
Resource profile
- CPU demand
- Idle shield plus full scans
- Disk demand
- Full scans walk the drive
Installed processes
These executables belong to this product when it is installed.
| avp.exe | Kaspersky antivirus process |
|---|---|
| avpui.exe | User interface on many installs |
Startup components
avp.exe starts with Windows while Kaspersky owns protection.
File locations
| Typical install | C:\Program Files (x86)\Kaspersky Lab\ |
|---|
Common problems
avp.exe plus live Defender
Kaspersky should own realtime. If MsMpEng.exe still scans, both engines are on the same files.
Policy forbids the vendor
A work or government image can require removal even if the home SKU still sells. That is not a Windows bug.
Getting unstuck
Confirm avp.exe is under Kaspersky Lab
Open file location. A random avp.exe in Temp is not the vendor. Program Files\Kaspersky Lab is the usual home.
Check Windows Security for the owner
It should name Kaspersky after a successful register. Defender still live is the two-engine case.
Ask IT before you reinstall on a work PC
A restriction list can require a different product. Do not fight policy with a home installer.
Alternatives
Windows Security on a home PC that does not want a third-party suite. Work PCs often standardize on a named EDR instead.
Official help and downloads
Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.
| Download | www.kaspersky.com/ Official installer or vendor page |
|---|---|
| Help | support.kaspersky.com/ Vendor support |
| Official site | www.kaspersky.com/ Start here, not a random exe host |
| US government restriction context | www.cisa.gov/news-events/directives/bod-17-01-removal-kaspersky-branded-products CISA BOD 17-01. Not a consumer scan button |
Related hardware
Resident scans follow the disk. avp.exe CPU spikes during a full scan are the job, not proof the file is fake.
Technical details
Technical details
Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.
- Kaspersky official site · Vendor product page
- Kaspersky help · Vendor support
- Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.
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