Windows 10 & Software

I’ve just done the upgrade to Windows 10. I’m now looking at what software I need/don’t need.

I’m going to try Comodo Internet Security Premium Free. Could anyone please confirm I shall no longer need the following?

• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
• SpywareBlaster
• SUPERAntiSpyware

I presume with Comodo Internet Security Premium Free I should turn of both Windows Defender and Windows Firewall.

Is Iobit’s Advanced SystemCare still good or does Windows 10 make it redundant?

I am also going to download and install O&O ShutUp10.

Any other recommendations I should consider? The other day I read a post by Eldon saying he was going to download Windows 10 and then a list of software he was going to add. I have looked for but cannot find that post. I was going to look into the item he’d listed.

 

You should still keep those two programs (MalwareBytes and Superantispyware) in their free versions for periodic one off scanning, and still keep SpywareBlaster as it just inserts kill bits in all browsers.
With CIS, Windows Defender will automatically be turned off, and CIS Firewall will automatically take over. You do not need to disable any Windows security.
IoBit's Advanced System Care is a choice you make whether to use it or not.
Apart from O&O Shut Up 10, there is no actual need for anything else in Win 10.

 

Everyone has their own views about the best combination of security software. I'm a 'safe' browser and understand the basics of keeping a system free of malware so I just use the Win 10 supplied firewall and AV plus MBAM free and SpywareBlaster. Haven't had any malware at all in over 10 years and neither has my wife. O&O ShutUp10 is a good option as it both explains what it does and allows you to be selective about what to allow or suppress. Advanced System Care earned the honour of being the only bit of software I have ever installed that crippled my system, but an image restore quickly rectified that (and removed ASC in the process). If you feel the need for such a program then at least use it with care and be backed up.

Other free software I use and would recommend, in no particular order, includes Speccy, SUMo, Macrium Reflect, Iobit Uninstaller, TreeSize Free, Belarc Advisor, Teaking.com Windows Repair AIO, SyncBack Free and Cryptainer LE.

 

That's not really what you need from a utility programme. I've used it for a few years now on all PCs and can say it's never caused me a problem. I can't remember who recommended it, but like all software I have now it all came with a recommendation from soneone on Majorgeeks.

I have SUMo, Macrium Reflect, Belarc Advisor and what I think you meant Tweaking.com.

I don't have Iobit Uninstaller but have Revo Uninstaller.

May I ask what Speccy, TreeSizeFree, Windows Repair AIO, SyncBack Free and Cryptainer LE do?

 

I have installed and run O&O Shut Up 10. I am glad to see the back of Cortana. It has also rearranged my Taskbar like it was in Wins 8 & 7, which I'm used to and pleased it's done.

 

Speccy - provides detailed info on your system
TreeSize Free - shows what space is being used by your files and folders, in size order
Windows Repair AIO = Tweaking.com full name
SyncBack Free - a data backup tool that keeps nominated sets of folders in sync
Cryptainer LE - provides a hidden encrpyted drive that you can use for sensitive data such as passwords

There is one other I'd like to recommend, Everything. Finds in an instant anything anywhere on your computer that contains your search characters.

 

@Earthling: Thank you for the info. I'm just wondering if both Belarc Advisor and Speccy are both necessary.

@Anybody: I know this is off topic, but it doesn't seem worth its own thread. Anyone reading my posts knows I'm no IT expert but even I think I know this. I was told by one of those people who knows everything about evrything and is, of course, an IT expert to boot, that prior to downloading Windows I should've have created a Restore Point. I am correct in thinking, aren't I, that would have been pointles?. I told this person I'd made an image and it was clear from their expression they didn't know what I meant.

 

Belarc does for your software what Speccy does for your hard/firmware.

He/she doesn't know the first thing about computers. Pointless is the word.

 

Thank you for explaining the difference.

I don't know if you're referring to the person or their advice. Both would be apt.

 

When I download and installed CIS I allowed it to install Geek Buddy. Does anyone use this? Is it useful? Should I just uninstall it?

 

You probably already know but, unless things have changed, the free Revo doesn't uninstall 64 bit software, only 32 bit. That's why Iobit.

 

No, I didn't know, but it explains why there has been no updates for a long time. Thanks for letting me know. I shall switch to Iobit Uninstaller.

 

I personally uncheck all the add on options (like changing the home page and search engines to Yahoo) and Geek Buddy. With any program if 'advanced' or 'custom' install is shown, choose that.
You can uninstall Geek Buddy easily any time you want.

 

These programs are not a recommendation, they are specifically for my mom's laptop.

1. A trial of McAfee Internet Security 2016 is pre-installed. I'm replacing it with Avast Free Antivirus even though Windows Defender will suffice, but I have disabled Windows Update (don't ask...).
2. Surprisingly, Mozilla Firefox is also pre-installed. I have updated to the latest stable release. The program used by my mom is internet based and only runs in Firefox and Chrome.
3. O&O ShutUp10 has already been recommended.
4. I'm reconsidering Classic Shell. I might install Start Menu 8 which now also appplies to Windows 10.