|
Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don't do it. |
Newsletter Archives
-
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).
Plus Membership
Donations from Plus members keep this site going. You can identify the people who support AskWoody by the Plus badge on their avatars.
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.
Get Plus!
Recent Topics
-
Microsoft sends emails to Windows 10 users about EOS
by 46 minutes ago
-
Outlook 2024 importing Calendar and Contacts – FAILURE
by 4 hours, 50 minutes ago
-
Adding Microsoft Account.
by 10 minutes ago
-
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26120.3576 released to DEV and BETA
by 9 hours, 47 minutes ago
-
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.5090 (23H2) released to BETA
by 10 hours, 7 minutes ago
-
Windows 11 won’t boot
by 1 day ago
-
Choosing virtual machine product for Windows on Mac
by 2 hours, 49 minutes ago
-
Rest in Peace
by 1 day, 4 hours ago
-
CISA : Install Windows March 2025 Updates until April 1 or shut down PC.
by 1 day, 3 hours ago
-
Google proposes users with incompatible Win 11 PCs to migrate to ChromeOS Flex
by 1 day, 5 hours ago
-
Drivers for Epson Perfection V600 Photo – scanner
by 9 hours, 32 minutes ago
-
Long Time Member
by 1 day, 7 hours ago
-
Woody Leonhard (1951–2025)
by 6 hours, 54 minutes ago
-
What I learned from Woody Leonhard
by 1 day, 1 hour ago
-
Windows Settings today
by 1 day, 15 hours ago
-
Mail Merge magic in Microsoft Word
by 23 hours, 8 minutes ago
-
Businesses in the crosshairs
by 5 hours, 33 minutes ago
-
Double-row taskbar?
by 17 hours, 53 minutes ago
-
Upgrading non-supported HW to Win 11
by 2 hours, 59 minutes ago
-
Audio locks up after 15 minutes
by 2 days, 4 hours ago
-
Copilot app uninstalled
by 9 hours, 46 minutes ago
-
Strongbox Password Manager Sold to Applause Group – Cost Escalation Imminent
by 3 days, 1 hour ago
-
SharePoint
by 1 day, 23 hours ago
-
Google replacing Google Assistant with Gemini AI assistant
by 3 days, 4 hours ago
-
You can no longer stop Alexa from sending voice recordings to Amazon
by 3 days, 4 hours ago
-
Meeting Woody in person
by 3 days, 15 hours ago
-
Bear with me – getting some options regarding membership
by 3 days, 19 hours ago
-
Difficulty installing Microsoft Office Home and Business 2024
by 3 days ago
-
HOT NEWS: privacy focused VPN released
by 4 days, 2 hours ago
-
‘ClickFix’ Phishing Scam Impersonates Booking.com to Target Hospitality
by 4 days, 13 hours ago
Remembering Woody
