Windows firewall

Sunny_Saver

My Windows 10 laptop came with McAfee, which I am keen to uninstall and just use my own checkers etc.

However, when I attempt to switch on the Windows firewall, I can't seem to do it as the message is that McAfee's firewall is used on this laptop.

Is McAfee's firewall better than Window's own? If not, then how can I use Window's firewall please?

Thanks.

Oblivion

I don't like McAfee, much prefer Norton, but in your case, did McAfee come as a 30 day trial or have you got a year's subscription? If the latter you might as well get your money's worth.

If you want to uninstall McAfee, Windows should then either automatically revert to it's own defences or prompt you to adopt them.

wongataa

Sunny_Saver wrote: »

My Windows 10 laptop came with McAfee, which I am keen to uninstall and just use my own checkers etc.

However, when I attempt to switch on the Windows firewall, I can't seem to do it as the message is that McAfee's firewall is used on this laptop.

Is McAfee's firewall better than Window's own? If not, then how can I use Window's firewall please?

Thanks.

The Windows firewall is perfectly good. There is little reason to use 3rd party ones. You should uninstall McAfee and run the McAfee removal too to make sure it is gone. Then you should be able to have the Windows firewall turned on.

ptrichardson

I'd recommend strongly against Norton, McAfee etc etc. Windows firewall and windows defender are just fine for most people.

They do tend to "hook into your system" though - causing the exact problems you have found.

Google for McAfee remover and follow the steps to fully remove the thing. Good Luck.

(PS - They PAY the PC makers to pre-install their software, just in case you're wondering)

Sunny_Saver

No, I think I just have a free trial of McAfee. Yes, I did wonder why a laptop that came with Windows insisted on me using McAfee.

Thank you for your help.

esuhl

Personally, I prefer the Comodo Free Firewall on my Windows PCs (although you have to disable the insanely irritating HIPS/Defense+ features).

Unless you're particularly techie or paranoid, I'm sure the basic Windows Firewall in conjunction with the firmware firewall on your router will be sufficient.

Sunny_Saver

Thanks everyone. All done now and, as you said, once McAfee was deleted, Windows Firewall kicked in.

Have a good weekend.

cookie365

The only reason most people would need a third party firewall is if you needed to block individual apps, in which case Comodo is probably the best option.

Eg I don't want my keepass password app to connect to the internet under any circumstances.

Even then you could probably persuade windows firewall to block individual apps with a bit of effort.

wongataa

cookie365 wrote: »

The only reason most people would need a third party firewall is if you needed to block individual apps, in which case Comodo is probably the best option.

Eg I dingy want my keepass password app to connect to the internet under any circumstances.

Even then you could probably persuade windows firewall to block individual apps with a bit of effort.

It's not hard to block specific programs with the Windows firewall should you want to.

mardatha

Sunny saver I had the exact same problem, uninstalled macafee and windows firewall just switched itself on.