srt101fan

I just replaced a failed hard drive in my laptop and did a clean Win 10 install on the replacement drive. Because of past criticisms of Windows browsers, I had Firefox installed on the old drive. I also had added Avast as my anti-virus software.

Has the Win 10 browser (Edge) improved enough that I don't need Firefox? Is it just a matter of personal preference? Is the built-in Win 10 security good enough that I don't need a separate anti-virus program?

I know that Google could get me some answers on this. But we have some very computer-savvy folks on UHH and I hope I can tap into some of that expertise. I got some help from you all when my hard drive crashed and I really appreciated that!

Warhorse Loc: SE Michigan

I am not a computer guy, but I can tell you I am very happy with a new laptop I bought last "Black Friday". It is a windows 10 machine, the Edge browser is great, and so far I have had no complaints with Win 10 Defender.

JimBart Loc: Western Michigan

Depends on how much privacy you want. Edge does not protect privacy and location like Firefox. I also use CC Cleaner just before closing out you clear all files and past sites.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Just a personal preference for how they work, or don't.

joanloy Loc: St. Louis, MO

I just replaced a PC and was told that Windows Defender was not the best. I bought ESET after some research. Also, I used Zinstall to transfer all applications, files, and data from the old PC to the new one. I left it running all night. It was almost perfect -- just a few thing that I had to fix.

Bayou

The latest version of Edge is quite fast and has a sensible user interface....but in terms of privacy and ad tracking, you can do better. Firefox is tops in privacy, but is not the fastest browser these days. The "Brave" browser is extraordinary. Based on the open source "Chromium" (also the basis for Google's Chrome) with none of the tracking and adware stuff. The interface is familiar and efficient. I think it's king of the hill at the moment.

Win 10 with Windows Defender is quite good lately. Defender did poorly in the past, but has improved a great deal. There may be some AV products that do a little better, but Defender is easy on resources and secure enough for home users. Many of the big "Internet Security Suites" are worse than the viruses they are supposed to prevent...terrible resource hogs, and causing dysfunction of various sorts.

I do malware recovery work and can say that Windows has been greatly hardened against malware starting with Windows 8, regardless of the anti virus software used. I have recovered hundreds of totally malware crippled computers, going back to Windows 95. 98 through Windows XP were all very vulnerable. Win 7 was much better, but Win 8 was a quantum leap. I have not seen a single Win 8 or Win 10 machine that was rendered totally unusable by viruses/malware. Well done, Microsoft.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

I switched from Chrome to Edge, and couldn't be happier. I don't think Windows Defender is very good - have had good luck with AVG and they have a free version.

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

I used to use Avast, seemed to take a lot of throughput, switched to Webroot, much happier with that, and would recommend it...both are well rated products, however

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

MS just updated Edge to a major new revision with a new look. I rarely use it though. I still have Internet Explorer on my PC as sometimes repair guess want to use it or when other browsers act up. But it is usually more susceptible to attract. I had used Firefox for years until it go wanky with the newer updates of Win 10 Home 64 Bit. So now I use Chrome as a browser. I had been using AVG, then Frontier Security. Those seemed pretty comporable. So right now I'm using the default Windows Defender. Not sure yet how good it is. I'll have to wait until I get to a contaminated site with malware.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

For what it’s worth, Windows just did a major upgrade (not update) on Edge. I didn’t look at the details but I’m sure that security was included. Again, for what it’s worth, just my opinion.

srt101fan

Good comments. Thank you all very much.

TBPJr Loc: South Carolina

I have used only Windows Defender for antivirus for years, and I have never had any problem--I do also use MalwareBytes Premium. The two together have protected me very well. For many years, I used Norton suites. I never felt it was worth the overhead (this was pretty early in Windows), except for the first time I ever experienced a virus; Norton solved that infection, but later became so bloated that I was delighted when Micosoft started including Defender.

I try to make sure the Windows Update keeps the Defender updates installed as they are available, and I update MalwareBytes regularly as well. Every now and then, one or the other detects and isolates a piece of malware or blocks a site.

As for Edge, I only use it for a very few sites that require it, otherwise, I use the current version of Firefox. I went to it for the privacy features when it was in its single-digit versions, switched to the 64-bit versions as soon as they were available and appropriate, and never really looked back. Edge and Chrome seem to serve the interests of Microsoft and Google as much or more than those of the users.

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

The latest version of Edge is 100% new and it is based on Chromium the open source base on which Chrome is also developed.

Just wanted to clarify that.

IMO browser choice is based on personal preference if you are going to use them default. If you want to increase privacy or security, etc, then Firefox is the one I prefer. But on a day to day basis I use both Chrome and Firefox, and probably will start using the new Edge also.

Regarding antivirus protection, that is a whole different and huge subject. The main issue is that all security apps work fine.......until they don't. So having used X one during years without issues is not a guarantee.
I have switched through the years between several brands.
The latest one is Avast free edition, although in a couple of computers started to behave a bit bloaty and opted to uninstall and leave Windows Defender.
Whatever option you take for AV, the most important part today is one that updates automatically at least on a daily basis.

srt101fan

TBPjr and juan_uy: Thank you for your helpful comments. Looks like Microsoft has made good progress in improving their security software and browser.

Bill_de Loc: US

I have 2 Win10 computers. Yesterday when I turned on the laptop a new version of Edge popped up. I closed it and then clicked on my "Edge" shortcut again. Both the old and new versions opened. I had to find a menu option to have only one open.

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