New PC - which antivirus should I use?

[nuley]

Dear friends

 

I have a new computer! It is an HP slim desktop S01-aF0xxx running Windows 10 64-bit. We use it for the odd presentation or academics, and a bit of browsing, and emails, using Office 365.

 

It has come with a free McAfee personal security thing but I'm not sure if I need an added anti-virus on top of what Windows already has. If I do need another thing on top, which would you recommend? I've used Eset and Avast in the past. Should I uninstall McAfee or just leave it to run out of its free trial period? or pay for it?

 

Any help would, as ever, be gratefully received. I think this is now the 3rd desktop PC you've helped me manage, plus the (now adult) kids' laptops. Thank you so much!

 

Nuley

[KenB]

Hi nuley,

 

Windows 10 comes with a perfectly adequate AV [ Defender ] you certainly don't need to buy one.

 

Starbuck will advise you further.

 

Do not run two AVs as they may conflict and slow your machine down.

[Starbuck]

Hi nuley,

 

The built in Windows Defender is perfectly adequate with Win10.

If the McAfee is active on the machine, then Windows Defender will be turned off automatically.

This prevents conflicts within the system.

To use Windows Defender you will need to completely uninstall McAfee.

Which is not always straight forward so you will need to do this in 2 parts.

 

Right click on the Start button, scroll up to Apps and Features and click on it.

Click on McAfee in the program list and select uninstall.

 

Once you have run the uninstaller, download the McAfee Removal Tool and save it to your Desktop.

Right click on the downloaded program and select Run as Administrator.

Once the tool has run you will need to reboot your system.

 

Then make sure that Windows Defender is now running. (sometimes it doesn't restart automatically)

Right click on the Start button again and select Settings.

Now click on Update and Security.

On the left hand side, click on Windows Security.

You will see the settings there for Windows Defender.

 

The McAfee Removal Tool will safely remove the following....

 

• McAfee Total Protection
  
• McAfee Internet Security Suite
  
• McAfee PC Protection Plus
  
• McAfee VirusScan Plus
  
• McAfee Wireless Protection
  
• McAfee AntiSpyware
  
• McAfee Data Backup
  
• McAfee Personal Firewall
  
• McAfee Privacy Service
  
• McAfee QuickClean
  
• McAfee SecurityCenter
  
• McAfee SiteAdvisor
  
• McAfee Anti-Spam
  
• McAfee SpamKiller
  
• McAfee VirusScan
  
• McAfee Wireless Protection
  

Edited February 17, 2021 by Starbuck

[nuley]

Thanks Starbuck! I have removed McAfee and rebooted, and Windows Defender is running.

 

Just one more question - it's asking me to turn on Reputation Based Protection, as part of the App and Browser Control. I have no idea what this is. Should I turn it on?

 

Thanks again

 

Nuley

[Starbuck]

Hi Nuley,

 

The reputation based protection is there to protect against Pup's etc that normally come bundled with free software.

If you tend to download quite a bit of free software, it's not a bad idea to have it enabled.

It works a bit like 'Checky'.

If you don't enable it, you'll just have to remember to check any software for any 3rd party programs.

It can do no harm to enable it.