Does Windows 10 or 11 Need Antivirus Software?

Does Windows 10 or 11 need antivirus software? Absolutely. Every computer needs protection against viruses and other malware.

The next question is this: Which antivirus should you use?

Windows 10 and 11 come with Microsoft Defender Antivirus, Microsoft’s free version of antivirus software. In the absence of any other antivirus software, it runs automatically. No installation required.

What does antivirus do?

Now, here’s what that antivirus software does. Antivirus software protects your devices against malware and viruses through a combination of prevention, detection, and removal.

For years, people have installed antivirus software on their computers. Today, it can also protect your smartphones and tablets as well. In fact, we recommend installing it on those devices as well because they’re connected, just like a computer — and any device that connects to the internet is a potential target for malware and viruses.

In short, if it’s connected, it gets protected.

One important distinction about antivirus is its name, a name that first came into use decades ago when viruses first appeared on the scene. However, antivirus protects you from more than viruses. It protects against malware too — attacks like spyware, ransomware, adware, and more. So while we popularly call protection software “antivirus,” it protects against far more than just viruses. It protects against malware overall.

Now here’s where some confusion might come in. Some antivirus apps are standalone. They offer malware protection and that’s it. And that’s the case with Microsoft Defender Antivirus.

Other antivirus apps are part of comprehensive online protection software, which can include several additional far-reaching features that can protect your privacy and your identity.

So, if you’re only looking for good antivirus software, Microsoft Defender Antivirus can get the job done. However, protecting yourself online today calls for far more than antivirus.

In short, antivirus doesn’t cut it alone.

Do you need more than antivirus software?

If you value your privacy and identity, you’ll want to consider something more than just antivirus software.

Malware and viruses pose only a portion of the threats we face online today. Shopping scams, data breaches, info gathering, identity theft, and phishing texts are a big part of the landscape today. And they can cost you plenty in terms of your time and money, not to mention the stress of dealing with them.

This makes a strong case for using comprehensive online protection. It covers those threats, and far more. Ours includes the protections mentioned above, plus dozens of features that further protect your devices, privacy, and identity. And yes, it includes antivirus too.

Comprehensive online protection software like ours gives you dozens of other features like identity theft coverage & restoration, personal data cleanup, security freezes, and an online protection score that shows you how safe you are, along with suggestions that can make you safer still.

It further protects you from scams. Our Text Scam Detector and web protection steer you clear of sketchy links in texts, emails, messages, and while you search. Others like our Social Media Privacy Manager keep you as private as you like with personalized recommendations in only a few clicks.

And that’s for starters. The list of protections with comprehensive online protection software like our McAfee+ plans runs long. That includes yet more features that help you secure your finances and identity, make you more private online, and keep your devices running strong.

Consider running more than just antivirus

While protecting your devices with antivirus is a great start, it’s only one part of staying safer online. Including the privacy and identity features that come with comprehensive online protection rounds out your protection overall. Particularly so in a time of data breaches, online scams, sketchy text messages, and the like.

In all, antivirus remains an important part of a safe and enjoyable time online, yet it doesn’t do the job alone.

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Does PC Cleaning Improve Performance?

Yes, giving your PC a good, old-fashioned cleaning can improve its performance. And it only takes minutes.

For the most part, PCs don’t slow down on their own over time. It’s the way we amass apps, files, and services that slows things down as your PC ages.

A few examples come to mind:

• We create files, which take up increasing amounts of disk space.
• Windows creates temporary files, hidden files, and others that can be deleted.
• We accumulate apps, plenty of which we don’t need or use anymore.
• Windows further accumulates background services and other processes that reduce performance.

So, if your PC is feeling a bit sluggish — or if you’ve never cleaned your PC before — you have a few options to speed things up.

How to speed up your computer

Start by backing up your files and photos

Any time you do some upkeep on your PC, back up your stuff. Given that so many of us store our files and photos in the cloud, this step is easy. You already have backups. Give those files a quick review and make sure what you need is backed up in the cloud.

You can also create a physical backup. An external drive can store those files as well, giving you extra redundancy. With your backup in hand, you can store it securely elsewhere in the event you need it.

Delete old apps

Drop over to your Windows search bar and type in “Storage.” That’ll take you to a screen that gives some solid insight into what your drive space looks like.

The great thing about this screen is that you can jump right in and get to work. For example, by clicking the “Apps & features” option, you get a list of all your apps stored on that drive. And with a click, you can delete the old ones you don’t want.

This does you well in a couple of ways. One is the obvious disk space you regain. The second is a bit more subtle. Older apps might go without an update, which can lead to security loopholes that hackers can exploit. Remove the old app, and you remove the loophole.

Remove temporary files

From the same menu, you can click and see how much space temporary files are taking up. You’ll likely see several categories of temporary files that you can delete. Take close note, though. While temporary, some of them still offer benefits. For example, you might want to keep “Windows update log files,” in the event you ever need to troubleshoot Windows.

Clear your browser cache and cookies

This one is a bit of a double-edged sword. Your cache and cookies make many web pages load faster. By storing images, preferences, and other info, cookies speed up load times. However, as months go by, cookie data can get bloated. If the disk space they use looks a little high to you, clean them out. You can do this in Windows by typing “Cookies” in your search bar. Additionally, you can clear it from your browser’s menu.

Important: This can remove any saved passwords stored in your browser. However, if you’re using a password manager, this isn’t a worry. The manager does the remembering for you.

Shut off startup apps that slow you down

Windows runs several apps on startup, some of which you certainly need, like antivirus apps or online protection software. Others might find themselves in that mix too, with apps that you don’t need running right away. These can slow down startup and eat up resources.

Head to your Windows search bar and type “Startup.” When the result pops up, select “Startup Apps.” From there, you’ll see a list of all your startup apps. You’ll also see a quick readout on each app that shows its impact on performance. Scroll through and click off the apps you don’t want to load at startup. Consider them carefully, though. If you’re uncertain of what a startup app does, do a web search on it before making any changes. Or just leave it alone.

Completely erase sensitive files

You’d think that deleting files in the recycle bin erases them entirely. Not so. It removes the “pointer” to those files. The data remains on the drive. It only gets removed when something new overwrites it. Which can take time.

To completely erase files with sensitive info, use a product like our own File Shredder. It permanently deletes files, and you find it in our McAfee+ plans. Although this doesn’t necessarily improve performance, it helps prevent identity theft.

Consider a deeper clean with a PC Optimizer

PC cleaning software, like McAfee PC Optimizer, simplifies the process of cleaning your PC. These programs are designed to detect and clear out unnecessary files, manage startup apps, and even clean the registry, often at the press of a button. It’s crucial, though, to choose reliable and safe PC cleaning software. Some can be excessive, doing more harm than good, or even carry malware. Reading reviews and understanding what each feature does is important before using PC cleaning software.

These cleaners usually come with customizable settings to suit your preferences. You can set automatic clean-ups at regular intervals, thus saving time, and freeing you from the hassle of remembering to run the cleanup.

A clean slate for you and your PC

Cleaning your PC is an essential part of maintaining its performance. While it might not drastically increase your PC’s speed, it contributes to overall efficiency, responsiveness, and longevity.

It’s important to approach PC cleaning carefully, deleting with discretion to avoid accidentally removing necessary files or applications. For those who aren’t comfortable doing it manually, reliable PC cleaning software like McAfee+ can simplify the process and save time.

Regular cleaning keeps your PC running smoothly, prevents potential threats, and ensures your personal and sensitive info is safe. So, if you haven’t started yet, it’s never too late to begin cleaning your PC and enjoy an optimized computing experience.

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