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Best Antivirus for Windows 2026: 5 to Install, 1 to Avoid
Tech Optimizer
September 16, 2026

Best Antivirus for Windows 2026: 5 to Install, 1 to Avoid

Windows is the only desktop platform where antivirus software is essential. Microsoft has patched many vulnerabilities, but the OS still allows installations from unverified sources and connects to potentially untrustworthy networks. As of 2026, the top antivirus solutions for Windows include: - Norton 360: Best overall, with a full scan time of 13 minutes and 22 seconds, robust firewall, and up to 250 GB cloud backup. - Bitdefender: Best for older PCs, maintaining peak CPU usage at 11% and memory at 183 MB during scans. - Avast One: Best free option for Windows 11, achieving a perfect score in AV-TEST. - NordVPN Threat Protection Pro: Best for VPN users, blocking 90% of malware. - McAfee+: Best for households with multiple devices, offering unlimited coverage but is the slowest scanner. - Microsoft Defender: Best free option included with Windows, awarded Top Product by AV-TEST. Norton 360 has a 99.8% detection rate and offers a 60-day refund window. Bitdefender also has a 99.8% detection rate with low resource usage. Avast's free version is effective, while NordVPN provides integrated malware protection for existing VPN users. McAfee is suitable for large households but has slower performance. Microsoft Defender is adequate for single users practicing safe browsing but lacks multi-device support. Kaspersky is unavailable in the U.S. due to supply chain concerns.
The MSI Codex Z2C RTX 5070 Prebuilt Gaming PC Drops to $1399 and Includes an Upcoming PC Game
AppWizard
September 16, 2026

The MSI Codex Z2C RTX 5070 Prebuilt Gaming PC Drops to $1399 and Includes an Upcoming PC Game

B&H Photo is offering a limited-time deal on the MSI Codex Z2C RTX 5070 gaming PC for ,399 with free shipping. Buyers will receive a download voucher for the game Control: Resonant, releasing on September 22. The PC features an AMD Ryzen 7 8700F CPU, GeForce RTX 5070 12GB GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB M.2 SSD. The Ryzen 7 8700F has an 8-core, 16-thread architecture with a boost clock speed of 5.1GHz. The GeForce RTX 5070 is designed for 1080p and 1440p gaming, typically retailing around 0. It can run most titles at 4K, but upgrading to a 5070 Ti may provide better performance at that resolution.
Android 17 QPR1 Drops: Top New Features, Customization & UI Changes Explained
AppWizard
September 16, 2026

Android 17 QPR1 Drops: Top New Features, Customization & UI Changes Explained

Google has begun the rollout of Android 17 QPR1, which includes user interface enhancements, multitasking capabilities, and digital wellbeing features. Key features include: - Pause Point: Introduces a delay before opening distracting apps, encouraging users to engage in calming activities. - Material 3 Blur Expansion: Adds background blur effects to various system surfaces, including the volume panel and power menu. - Multi-Screensaver Support: Allows users to select and switch between multiple screensavers. - Custom Ringtone Vibrations: Users can assign unique vibration patterns for individual ringtones. - Taskbar Recent Apps: Displays actual recent apps on large-screen devices. - HID Access: New APIs enable applications to interact with connected USB and Bluetooth peripherals. - Health Connect Tracking: Natively tracks distance and calories through a built-in step counter. - Media Player Tweaks: Enhancements to the media player carousel and screen recorder functionality. Android 17 QPR1 is initially available for eligible Google Pixel devices, with other manufacturers to follow based on their release schedules.
30 Days Until Windows 11 24H2 Support Ends; Excel Paste Glitch Surfaces Simultaneously
Winsage
September 15, 2026

30 Days Until Windows 11 24H2 Support Ends; Excel Paste Glitch Surfaces Simultaneously

Microsoft announced on September 14 that the Windows 11 24H2 edition, including Home and Pro versions, has only 30 days of support remaining, with a deadline for updates set for October 13, 2026. Users are encouraged to upgrade to version 25H2 or later to continue receiving security updates. The Enterprise and Education editions will have support until October 12, 2027. Users have reported issues from September's security updates, particularly with the Office patch KB5002914, which disrupts the copy-and-paste function in Excel across multiple versions. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue but has not yet released a fix. A temporary workaround involves manually removing the problematic patch, though this also removes the associated security fixes. Additionally, users have experienced connection drops and unresponsiveness in Remote Desktop Services (RDS) across various Windows versions, including Windows 11 26H1 and Windows Server 2012. Microsoft confirmed that related tools may also stop responding, and restarting virtual machines may temporarily restore functionality. USB audio issues have been reported on certain USB Audio Class 1.0 devices across Windows 11 versions, with users experiencing loss of audio output and corrupted sound settings. Switching to 2-channel mode has helped some users, but Microsoft has not provided a timeline for a comprehensive fix. As Windows Server 2012 nears the end of its Extended Security Updates period on October 13, 2026, the RDS issues add pressure on administrators. Users on 24H2 need to prioritize migration to 25H2, while those with the latest updates should be cautious regarding Excel and Remote Desktop functionalities.
Microsoft rolls out emergency update for Windows 11's latest patch — recent update causes crashes on AMD graphics, Explorer hang-ups, and broken third-party integrations
Winsage
September 15, 2026

Microsoft rolls out emergency update for Windows 11’s latest patch — recent update causes crashes on AMD graphics, Explorer hang-ups, and broken third-party integrations

Microsoft has released an out-of-band update to address issues from the September 2026 Windows 11 patch, which introduced new features and fixed nearly 1,000 security vulnerabilities. The update includes a movable taskbar, adjustable height, configurable Start menu layouts, enhanced Windows Search, and size indicators in File Explorer. However, users with AMD Radeon GPUs are experiencing crashes due to driver instability, and reinstalling drivers has not resolved the issue. Microsoft did not address these GPU concerns in its communication. The update also fixed instability issues with Remote Desktop Services, but users still report audio output and microphone input failures, which Microsoft has included a fix for in the emergency patch. Lenovo users have reported unexpected black screens or shutdowns linked to power management issues.
Iranian Hackers Use Fake Norton Antivirus to Spread Windows Spyware
Tech Optimizer
September 15, 2026

Iranian Hackers Use Fake Norton Antivirus to Spread Windows Spyware

Iranian state-sponsored hackers are targeting dissidents, activists, and journalists using deceptive tactics, including malicious applications that impersonate reputable cybersecurity products like Norton Antivirus and KeePass. The FBI and UK authorities issued a warning about these hackers, who establish rapport with targets via social messaging platforms, posing as IT support or known contacts. They convince victims to download files that appear authentic, including AI video creation applications and other software. The spyware, named “Chosen Brick,” infects Windows PCs and has capabilities such as capturing screen content, recording audio, collecting message data, and downloading additional malware. The hackers have exploited this spyware to publish personal details of victims, increasing their harassment. The FBI advises potential victims on detecting the spyware and recommends enabling antivirus software, running regular scans, and avoiding unofficial downloads.
silver Android smartphone
Winsage
September 15, 2026

Microsoft rolls out emergency update for Windows 11’s latest patch — recent update causes crashes on AMD graphics, Explorer hang-ups, and broken third-party integrations

Microsoft has released an out-of-band update to address issues from its recent Windows 11 patch, which introduced new features and fixed nearly 1,000 security vulnerabilities. The September 2026 update includes a movable taskbar, a transformed Start menu with configurable layouts, improved Windows Search, and updates to File Explorer showing file sizes in various units. However, users with AMD Radeon GPUs are experiencing crashes due to driver instability, and reinstalling the driver has not resolved the issue. Microsoft did not address AMD GPUs in its communication. Additionally, there are ongoing problems with audio output and microphone input, with some audio devices starting up with incorrect configurations. A temporary workaround for audio issues has been provided. Lenovo users are reporting black screens or sudden shutdowns linked to power management issues.
Windows 11 update breaks copy and paste in Microsoft Excel
Winsage
September 15, 2026

Windows 11 update breaks copy and paste in Microsoft Excel

Microsoft is facing challenges in September due to bugs in Windows 11, particularly affecting Excel's copy and paste functionality after a recent OS update. Users of Excel 2024, 2021, 2019, and 2016 may experience silent failures when attempting to paste content, with no error messages provided. Microsoft is investigating this issue. Following the September Patch Tuesday update, which included nearly 1,000 security fixes, users are advised to install the update but may consider delaying it due to existing bugs. Additionally, Microsoft has launched the Windows K2 initiative to improve the Windows 11 experience by streamlining the update process, although users have still encountered multiple updates in September.
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