Clean install of windows (what would you include)

If I do a clean install of windows with preformace in mind what secuirty would you include?

Just windows firewall with microsoft essentials? Would that be enough? Its a labtop on wifi (home) but I may be taking it other places at some point..


I feel like avast is a great anti virus but I dunno if its possible to just run it once in awhile? Its always loaded.... It seems bog system down... im also having other issues from random restarts and such freeze...

Anyway what would be enough? Just make sure I don't run into the same problems (of like conflicting programs) messing up windows.

Malware (installed) Microsoft essentials running all time and windows firewall is this enough? Or would it be better to just install one all in one program like

Comando. or avast, or avira with nothing else?

any info be great...

also will I see a big preform boost or is this a unnecessary install that might end up messing up computer more (though I don't see how) I can always factory re install :P

knowing me I prob just keep asking :P for weeks lol..

I like to get as much information :P

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

MSE with WIn7 Firewall.

Nothing else.

xxsicknessxx said:

I feel like avast is a great anti virus but I dunno if its possible to just run it once in awhile? Its always loaded.... It seems bog system down...


.... Microsoft [Security] essentials running all time

Are you saying that you have installed both Avast and Microsoft Security Essentials? You should never have more than one antivirus installed.

I have Microsoft Security Essentials with Windows Firewall, then Malwarebytes (free) for emergencies (which I haven't had yet, but it's is a very good program, it got rid of spoof virus warning malware for a friend and made me look clever ).

Also, I mainly use Firefox browser with NoScript add-on.

I think it is a combination of personal taste and usage patterns with the current trend.

In the past, one definitely needed the firewall and the anti-virus, even if simply connected to the internet, but not actively "surfing". The reason for that were all kinds of worms and bot-net attacks, which were scanning the net for unprotected machines. Nowadays this threat is almost completely eliminated by the hardware firewall which is built-in in most modern routers. At least, for the last 10 years I've never had any external threat detected by the software security suites.

In these conditions, I see the purpose of the software firewall as follows: (i) to keep tabs one which programs already running on your machine to access the internet, and (ii) to protect a laptop (or netbook, tablet, etc.) in case you're using a public network.

At the same time, most email is now done through web-based services. Most of them have their own anti-virus tools and spam filters. If you are not using a local client, i.e. not downloading every single message coming your way, then your risk of getting a virus is also rather minimal.

What's left is the usual browsing. If you are not visiting clearly suspicious sites (everyone know what they are - illegal download sites, free porn, illegal gambling, etc.), then you're unlikely to catch a virus. If you always type the URL or use your own bookmarks as opposed to clicking on links in unexpected emails, then you're unlikely to become a phishing victim.

These "safe" practices enable many people to run their PCs without any security software at all (well, the Windows firewall is always there, but in principle you can turn it off as well). Personally I don't recommend it, but basically on the grounds of the "better safe than sorry" argument. Like I said, I am running a security suite which has not detected anything in the last 10 years.

Now, if you are to install a security suite, which one to choose? Well, that depends on your usage patterns and your willingness to pay for the software. MSE and Windows Firewall, advocated by many on this Forum, are after all completely free. I do run them on an older XP laptop, used exclusively to download stuff from the internet, and I have no problems (the old laptop is so slow compared to modern machines, that I have no way of judging the impact of the MSE on the performance). My main PC runs a paid security suite (in fact, I bought a multi-year license before MSE came of age) and I am very happy with it. I actually find that it allows me more control over which apps access the net in comparison with the Windows firewall and I don't mind the price.

Hope that helps.

Well my brain likes the little icon saying my computer is secure but I think I hold off on avast. Microsoft esst and windows firewall good plus our router has built in firewall. How ever for when I do take lab top out is there a extra program people recommend? Just curious

You should never use two security suites or two anti-virus programs. If you're running MSE - that's what you're running, nothing additional. If you're running Avast or anything else, then you're not running MSE. Same applies to the software firewall.

Personally I use ESET Smart Security, but like I said, you have to pay for it.