Have Windows 10, do I need Norton Security?

Sea_Shell

Good Morning.    As the title says, do I need to renew my Norton Security (basic package, 1 device), if I'm running Windows 10 on my laptop?    I'm sure I read that it wasn't necessary, after i'd renewed last year, doh!!    (I've already disabled Auto-renew)

If not, where do I go on the system to see what security Win 10 provides, or is it just "in built" so not actually shown anywhere.    Can it show me that all is good, scans completed etc like Norton does?

Also, how/where do I check on the PC that it is definitely Win 10 that's running....settings?

Many thanks.

mobileron

No windows has its own built in security and it works very well.

DoaM

To the Norton question ... No. Windows Defender (built in) and the free version of MBAM is all you need on WIndows 10. (Assuming you're not a click-happy-eejit who doesn't think about what they're clicking on).

To the Windows 10 question - surely you know if your PC is running W10? Press the Windows key then type in winver and press Enter. The box that pops up will confirm if you're using W10 and which version.

And to find Windows Defender simply click on the icon that looks a little like a speech bubble at the bottom right, click on All Settings, type defender into the search box and select the first result.

neilmcl

Completely remove Norton from your PC, reboot, and Windows Defender should start automatically, if it doesn't or you need to check what security is running click on the shield icon on the Taskbar to go to the Windows Security settings.

Sea_Shell

DoaM said:

To the Norton question ... No. Windows Defender (built in) and the free version of MBAM is all you need on WIndows 10. (Assuming you're not a click-happy-eejit who doesn't think about what they're clicking on).

To the Windows 10 question - surely you know if your PC is running W10? Press the Windows key then type in winver and press Enter. The box that pops up will confirm if you're using W10 and which version.

And to find Windows Defender simply click on the icon that looks a little like a speech bubble at the bottom right, click on All Settings, type defender into the search box and select the first result.

Thanks for that.   Right, I've found that yes it is Windows10, version 1903.

I've also found Windows Defender is ON, but it says that settings are being managed by Norton.   I guess this is because I've got Norton installed. 

Another question, my Norton subscription expires mid-July, and won't auto renew (double checked that this morning, as had it set as a reminder).    Is there any need to do anything before then (as suggested uninstalling Norton), or is there anything I need to do once it's expired, other than check that Defender is still switched on.

I don't know enough to start fiddling with the settings, as it's just default settings I guess at the moment (as dictated by Norton?)

Sea_Shell

neilmcl said:

Completely remove Norton from your PC, reboot, and Windows Defender should start automatically, if it doesn't or you need to check what security is running click on the shield icon on the Taskbar to go to the Windows Security settings.

Found the shield icon!!!!    It was a "hidden" icon, so I had to click the up arrow to reveal it.   Never looked for it before!!

That seems to give me all the info I need regards current security status, thanks.

I'm, however, not "signed in with Microsoft".   Should I do that?

neilmcl

Sea_Shell said:

neilmcl said:

Completely remove Norton from your PC, reboot, and Windows Defender should start automatically, if it doesn't or you need to check what security is running click on the shield icon on the Taskbar to go to the Windows Security settings.

Found the shield icon!!!!    It was a "hidden" icon, so I had to click the up arrow to reveal it.   Never looked for it before!!

That seems to give me all the info I need regards current security status, thanks.

I'm, however, not "signed in with Microsoft".   Should I do that?

It makes no difference with regards your security.

Frozen_up_north

The advantage of a paid for a/v security package is that it can be proactive at checking potentially dodgy site links and can also stop access to some of your folders by malicious software.

Windows 10 does some of the above by default. Paid for a/v adds perhaps another layer of security. I use Bitdefender with a multi PC package, that makes the cost per PC per year about £7...

Perhaps more important is to make regular full backups of the whole disk, that way if something nasty infects your system you can revert within a few minutes. I use Acronis, but there are free alternatives if money is tight.

Sea_Shell

Hi, again.

Right.   My Norton security subscription has now expired, but when i look at my current protection, it's still showing as Norton switched on and Window Defender switched off.    When i go to open the Norton app, it just says "renew now".   

Do i actually have to remove the Norton before the Windows will recognise that it now has to do the "defending"??

DoaM

Yes. Technically you should be able to turn it off and Defender on, but it is best to get rid of Norton completely ... you don't want 2 AV products fighting against each other as that can slow down your PC.

Sea_Shell

DoaM said:

Yes. Technically you should be able to turn it off and Defender on, but it is best to get rid of Norton completely ... you don't want 2 AV products fighting against each other as that can slow down your PC.

Next question....how do i do that?    I know i need to "uninstall" Norton, but from where?