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Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don't do it. |
Newsletter Archives
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DefenderUI — Windows Defender is great, when turned on fully
FREEWARE SPOTLIGHT
By Deanna McElveen
Microsoft’s first attempt at antivirus software was Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE), released in 2009 to Windows XP and later to Windows Vista and Windows 7.
Then it was replaced by Windows Defender.
MSE was not great. It updated just three times a day. Although its 2009 certification from AV-TEST was a big win for Microsoft, the certification was lost in 2012. That’s probably because it tagged Google Chrome as a virus in 2011, a memorable day at our computer shop. To make things even worse, in 2013 it received the lowest score possible for an antivirus product. It wasn’t until 2018 that MSE was able to win a top score, with an 80% detection rate from AV-TEST.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.31.0, 2024-07-29).
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AskWoody Plus members not only get access to all of the contents of this site -- including Susan Bradley's frequently updated Patch Watch listing -- they also receive weekly AskWoody Plus Newsletters (formerly Windows Secrets Newsletter) and AskWoody Plus Alerts, emails when there are important breaking developments.
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