Couple of Questions regarding Windows

[Marky]

Hey all,

I've been using MacOS for the past 2-3 years now, and the last Windows version I used heavily was Windows 7.

I am currently in the process of building a new PC and so I am looking into getting back onto Windows! However, I've been out of the loop for a good few years and everything has changed

My build is primarily for gaming, but will be used for media also - Running on a 40" 1080P TV. So I have a couple of questions regarding Windows:

- Windows 10?: Should I be using Windows 10? I've heard good things and bad things about it, but not sure if I should take the leap and go straight to Windows 10, or should I be going for 8.1 or the sort?

- Anti-Virus: As I've been using MacOS, I've not really bothered with an Anti-virus or Malware protection at all. When I used Windows in the past, I never bothered with an Anti-Virus either, but I was thinking about it. Should I be getting some protection or is the Windows Firewall solid? If not, what should I get? Malwarebytes any good?

Thanks,
Marky

 

[Robzere31]

I find Windows 10 very good indeed. Not had any problems with it.
Also, I use the built in Windows anti virus & defender & again not had any problems.

Common sense is better than any anti virus program IMO, just be sensible when randomly clicking on links & e-mail attachments etc & avoiding visiting dodgy websires helps as well !

 

[El_Watcher]

Windows 7 - more mature, but may have less optimisations for newer hardware.

Windows 8/8.1 - don't bother, the interface requires tweaking otherwise things can annoy.

Windows 10 - it is new, so there are still some small issues, but generally on new hardware it will run the best of the three, and the interface has a mix of 7 and 8 which I think works fine. Most bad reviews are with older hardware and upgrading.

For AV, there are several free ones that work well. The Windows one is not necessarily the best but is better than nothing. I use Avast Free, people others swear by Kaspersky, Bitdefender, etc.