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eSecurity Planet maintains editorial independence and may earn revenue from partner links. Microsoft Defender, a free built-in antivirus for Windows, offers minimal configuration and supports Windows 10 and 11, while McAfee, which holds a 12.47% share of the global antivirus market, provides extensive privacy monitoring and data protection across multiple platforms (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS) with various pricing plans ranging from .99 to 9.99.
Microsoft Defender supports a single device and includes features like real-time threat protection, parental controls, and a firewall, but lacks advanced features like VPN and identity theft monitoring. McAfee offers a wider range of features, including a VPN, identity theft monitoring, and data cleanup, making it a more comprehensive solution despite its higher cost.
Microsoft Defender has an overall rating of 3.8/5, while McAfee rates 4.4/5, excelling in customer support with multiple channels, including live chat and phone support. Microsoft Defender is suitable for users on a budget, while McAfee is better for those needing robust privacy and identity protection. Alternatives to consider include Norton, Bitdefender, and Malwarebytes.
Microsoft has stepped away from the mobile arena, but a community is exploring running Windows on smartphones. It is now possible to install Windows 11 on select modern smartphones with Arm architecture through the Renegade Project, which provides specialized UEFI firmware for devices powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon SoCs. This firmware allows users to switch between various operating systems, including Windows. The installation process is complex and requires specific tools and configurations. Supported devices include the Nokia Lumia 950, 950 XL, Surface Duo, and Duo 2. A Reddit user successfully installed Windows 11 on a Xiaomi POCO X3 Pro, experiencing some touchscreen glitches but overall smooth performance. However, drawbacks include poor battery life of about 2.5 hours, lack of fast-charging support, and overheating issues. Microsoft’s last mobile OS, Windows 10 Mobile, was released in 2015, with official support ending on January 14, 2020.
Microsoft has removed the Actions feature from the Microsoft Store, which allowed users to engage with certain games without installation. The official Windows app for ChatGPT is now available to all users, featuring advanced voice commands. The Explorer Dialog Path Selector is an open-source application that improves file-saving and moving processes in Windows. Paint.net 5.1 has been released with enhancements including full color management support, new effects, improved performance, and customizable canvas options.
PC gaming handhelds are gaining popularity, but the Windows operating system used on these devices presents challenges, particularly on smaller screens. Reviews of various handhelds, excluding the Steam Deck, indicate that while the hardware is impressive, the operating system experience is frustrating. Users face issues such as scaling challenges, a dominating virtual keyboard, and cumbersome desktop navigation. Although manufacturers have created custom software to improve the gaming experience, these solutions often fall short, leading gamers to revert to Windows for settings adjustments.
SteamOS provides a better gaming environment but lacks the versatility of Windows, which can run nearly any game without limitations. Many users are unlikely to switch to Linux due to the limited software availability and the learning curve involved.
Microsoft has previously developed a mobile operating system, Windows Phone, which featured a tile-based user interface suitable for touchscreens. This design could be adapted for PC gaming handhelds, leveraging the familiarity users have with organizing apps on mobile devices. Microsoft could either revisit these concepts for handhelds or revamp the Xbox interface for smaller screens, potentially licensing it to manufacturers for a more cohesive user experience.
Microsoft's Phone Link app has expanded the Instant Hotspot feature to select OnePlus devices, including the OnePlus Open and OnePlus 12, which previously was exclusive to Samsung devices. The Instant Hotspot allows Windows PCs to connect to the Internet via a smartphone's mobile hotspot without manual activation or password entry. This feature is only available on Windows 11 PCs linked to Samsung devices running One UI 4.1.1 or later, due to Android's restrictions. Other manufacturers, like OPPO and OnePlus, also include the Link to Windows Service app, enabling some of their devices to support Instant Hotspot. However, not all devices are compatible; for example, the OnePlus 10 Pro does not support it despite running the same version of the Link to Windows app as the OnePlus 12. The Link to Windows Service app also provides other functionalities, such as app streaming and cross-device copy and paste, although some features remain exclusive to Samsung.
Microsoft is discontinuing Adobe PostScript Type 1 fonts from its Windows operating system, aligning with Adobe's cessation of support for this font series that began in January 2023. Developers are encouraged to transition to more modern font types. This change affects users of Adobe products, as Type 1 fonts will no longer be available for content authoring. While PDFs with embedded Type 1 fonts will still display correctly in Adobe Acrobat Reader, unembedded fonts will be substituted based on Adobe's font substitution table. Most mobile operating systems and web browsers have already stopped supporting Type 1 fonts, and Microsoft has not provided a specific timeline for the transition on Windows PCs.
- Windows 8's ill reputation was mainly due to the replacement of the Start menu with a Start screen.
- The context menu in Windows 11 lacks many essential options due to Microsoft's overhaul.
- Cortana, Microsoft's AI assistant, was disliked by users for its limited functionality and resource-hogging issues.
The Android home screen command center now includes the At a Glance widget and the Notification Widget, providing real-time updates on important information and consolidating all notifications into one accessible location.
Google is set to introduce Android 15, which will merge account selection and biometric verification processes into one action, reducing steps required to access secured features.
