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[RCBH928]

Hello,
I have not been using Windows since the days before XP, I just have few questions
1)Do we still have to install an anti-virus software? If so, any one has a pleasant a pleasant experience for a free virus protection software? I REALLY don't want to pay for antivirus, I kind of got bad memories with Norton.

2) Do we still have to do the defragment process every month or so?

I will be running win7

[BoringSupreez]

You don't have to use antivirus, but it's recommended. Use Avast instead of Norton.

The defrag process is still a good idea. Set it up to run once a month in the middle of the night.

[Opa Opa]

Screw Norton.

[KDub]

Yeah Viruses haven't gone away or anything. I suggest AVG for virus protection.

[Ziggy]

I use AVG Free Edition mainly. I also like to use SpyBot and the free version of MalwareBytes. It goes like this: AVG checks things in real time, so it's kinda the #1 for that reason. SpyBot is free (not a trail version, it's just free). You can use it to back up your registry and it has an immunization feature which is nice to run every other week or so. It will also scan your system for threats. The free version of MalwareBytes does not run in real time, but it's nice to have another scanner. If I downloaded something that I'm not 100% sure of, it's nice to scan it with three separate scanners, just to be sure.

Short answer: AVG Free Edition

File fragmentation isn't just a Windows thing, it'll happen on any hard drive on any operating system. So yes, you still have to defrag your hard drive. I hate when people give time frame guidelines to defrag though. Windows 7 has auto defrag set to on by default, but I bet most people don't need to defrag once per week. That's overkill, and it's putting unnecessary wear and tear on the hard drive. Periodically, I'll use the "analyze" feature of the defrag utility to see if it's worth defraging. It's worth noting that you should only defrag magnetic/mechanical hard drives. If you're lucky enough to have a solid state drive, you don't wanna defrag it.

Short answer: Windows 7 will come with defrag set to run automatically once per week. I would suggest turning the auto process off and manually checking yourself (use the analyze process) once per week, or every other week, to see if you even need a defrag. If you don't think you'll remember to do that, then at least set the auto defrag to run only once per month. If you have auto defrag set to run, make sure it doesn't defrag any solid state drives you might have.

[sabrage]

AVG has really annoying pop-ups that minimize fullscreen applications (or it did when I used it last.) You're getting a new computer so I assume you have a job; pony up for ESET NOD32 or Smart Security and you'll be set. I found that none of the free antiviruses available performed to my satisfaction.

[gtmtnbiker]

I use AVG Free Edition mainly.

AVG Free sucks. You should be using MS Windows Security Essentials. The problem with AVG is that it's a resource hog and it's full of nagware.

[Ziggy]

The problem with AVG is that it's a resource hog and it's full of nagware.

Uh, I'll have to disagree. It's really not a resource hog... unless you're scanning. And it doesn't really have nagware. When you open the AVG main screen, there's a little ad bar, but it only advertises the full (paid for) edition of AVG. Other than that, I can't really think of any nags. Most of the time it stays minimized in the tray and you forget that it's even running.

[AznKhmerBoi]

Great website to download all your windows need--> http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/best-windows-software





Virus Scanners
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AVG- Too much crap installed with the software, but works well.

Microsoft Security Essential- Free and best imo because ease of used and less crap that comes with the installation.
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Spyware protection
Spybot- great for spy ware

Disk Defragment should only be used depending if you install or uninstall many softwares. Whenever you do this too often many files can be fragmented.

Note- Defrag does ware down your HD, so only used this if you are a mad man with installation.

-------------------------------------
Also if you want a great simple easy to use desktop cleaner i suggest you download CCleaner.

[brunoafh]

If you're going to be running a 64-bit version of Win 7 you won't have to worry about viruses really. I would install MSE (it's free) just to be safe though, no reason not to. Doesn't suck up tons of system resources like virtually every other anti-virus software out there. Either way, 32-bit Win 7 doesn't seem to pick up many viruses either. Certainly nothing compared to the joke of an operating system XP is when it comes to viruses.