V.T. Eric Layton Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 So, my lady-friend has a new laptop with Win 11 on it. It came with an introductory McAfee installed, but it's now expiring. My questions to you Windows folks out there are: - does Win 10, 11 have built-in security like Win 7 used to? - if not, what's the best "free" antivirus out there for WIn 10, 11 these days? I'll be needing to either delete the McAfee and use the built-in WIn security (if there is such a thing these days) or install some sort of antivirus for her, preferably a free version like AVG, et al. I haven't been keeping up with the new stuff in Win 10 or 11 these days, so I'm kinda' clueless about this stuff. Thanks in advance for any info/suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corrine Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 44 minutes ago, V.T. Eric Layton said: - does Win 10, 11 have built-in security like Win 7 used to? Yes. Microsoft Security Essentials was replaced by Windows Defender, renamed Microsoft Defender which is what I use (DEV version). (I also have a licensed MBAM installed.) I haven't used any of the other free A/V products in decades so cannot provide any advice regarding their effectiveness or ease of use. For a licensed antivirus, of course I recommend ESET. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V.T. Eric Layton Posted September 11, 2022 Author Share Posted September 11, 2022 Ah... good to know. I wasn't sure if MS had continued with their own Windows security. She doesn't do a whole lot with her laptop, and she's very cautious about sites and emails and such that seem suspicious, so the MS Defender that's already on the system will suffice. I'll have to remove/disable the McAfee next time she comes over with her laptop. At that time, I'll check the MS Defender settings and make sure they're all up and running. Thanks, @Corrine! P.S. And BIG YES to ESET. If she was going to pay $$$ for protection, that's what I would have installed for her. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corrine Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 The McAfee uninstaller is located here: http:// http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/iss-loc/SupportTools/MCPR/MCPR.exe. As to setting up Microsoft Defender, see Stay protected with Windows Security. It would probably be a good idea to bookmark that link for her reference. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crp Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 If for some reason a 3rd party AV is installed, the MSFT one should be disabled. And when you remove the McAfee make sure the MSFT firewall is functioning. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymac46 Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 (edited) If she doesn't want to pay I'd just use Windows (Microsoft) Defender, which is pretty good actually. Also install the free version of Malwarebytes and scan with it occasionally. That's what I have for some folks I help out with Windows. Personally, I use ESET. Edited September 12, 2022 by raymac46 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corrine Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 On 9/11/2022 at 11:11 AM, Corrine said: I haven't used any of the other free A/V products in decades so cannot provide any advice regarding their effectiveness or ease of use. By the way, regarding free A/V products, although AVG is still available, it was taken over by Avast in 2016. Although AVG has continued to be available, it uses the exact same technology as Avast. Further, Norton purchased Avira in 2020. In addition, effective today, Norton will complete the merger with Avast! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zlim Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 I tell people to run away from: AVG, Avira, Avast, McAfee and Norton! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost Posted September 12, 2022 Share Posted September 12, 2022 20 minutes ago, zlim said: I tell people to run away from: AVG, Avira, Avast, McAfee and Norton! Why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zlim Posted September 13, 2022 Share Posted September 13, 2022 AVG is Avast https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVG_AntiVirus Avira is owned by Norton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avira Avast (and hence AVG) is owned by Norton https://www.abc15.com/news/business/nortonlifelock-to-change-company-name-in-wake-of-avast-acquisition McAfee and Norton since the companies were sold by Peter Norton and John McAfee take a huge hit on system resources. I was a paying customer of both products then got disillusioned. In the meantime, MS has been improving the av included in Windows and now known as Defender. Why install a 3rd party program when Windows includes a very good av program. except from a 2021 article by Neil Reubenking at PCWorld Microsoft Defender scores 9.6, which is quite a good score. It’s better than any other free product tested with this same sample set. Adaware, Avast, and Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition all score 9.2, while Kaspersky, Panda, and Avira score still lower. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V.T. Eric Layton Posted September 14, 2022 Author Share Posted September 14, 2022 14 hours ago, zlim said: Why install a 3rd party program when Windows includes a very good av program. I agree. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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