Smart App Control Archives

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.

Winsage

September 16, 2026

Harden Windows Defender: 12 Steps, 99.9% [2026]

Windows 11 includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus, which operates in the background and receives automatic updates. Its default settings focus on compatibility rather than maximum security, prompting the need for configuration to enhance protection. Prerequisites for configuration include: - Windows 11 version 24H2 or 25H2 - Fully patched build number (26100.9457 or newer) - Local administrator account for certain steps - Microsoft Defender Antivirus version 4.18.x - Windows PowerShell 5.1 run as Administrator - Stable internet connection - No active third-party antivirus software Steps to enhance Microsoft Defender include: 1. Confirming the current Windows 11 build. 2. Verifying that Defender is the active antivirus using PowerShell. 3. Enabling cloud-delivered protection and automatic sample submission via PowerShell commands. 4. Activating Tamper Protection through Windows Security. 5. Enabling Controlled Folder Access to protect against ransomware. 6. Deploying Attack Surface Reduction rules in audit mode. 7. Turning on Smart App Control. 8. Enabling Core Isolation and Memory Integrity. 9. Scheduling weekly full and offline scans. 10. Creating narrow exclusions for known safe applications. 11. Enhancing network protection and SmartScreen features. 12. Running a PowerShell verification script to audit settings. These steps aim to optimize Microsoft Defender Antivirus for improved security comparable to premium solutions.

Winsage

September 8, 2026

You Can Get Windows 11 Pro on Sale for A$13 Right Now

Windows 11 Pro is available for a limited-time offer of A, down from its regular price of A8, until September 27. Key features include Windows Copilot, remote desktop access, TPM 2.0, Smart App Control, biometric login options, BitLocker encryption, Azure AD integration, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox. The minimum system requirements are a processor speed of at least 1GHz, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of hard disk space. The offer is sourced from a reputable Microsoft partner.

Winsage

August 29, 2026

Walmart’s bestselling $799 Windows 11 laptop is now 50% off

Walmart is offering the Sgin 15.6-Inch Windows 11 Laptop at a 50% discount, reducing the price from 9 to 9. The laptop features a 15.6-inch full HD display (1920 x 1080), an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U Quad Core Processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB solid-state drive (SSD). It runs on Windows 11, which includes security features like Microsoft Defender and facial recognition through Windows Hello. The laptop has a battery life of up to six hours and is noted for its multitasking capabilities, quiet cooling fan, and lightweight design. However, it lacks expandable storage options and may still be considered pricey by some consumers.

Tech Optimizer

August 7, 2026

Best Antivirus Software August 2026: I Tested the Top 5

The top five antivirus software packages for 2026 are: 1. Norton 360: - Best overall antivirus software. - First-year pricing: .99 for Standard, .99 for Deluxe, .99 for Select Plus. - Features: Fastest scanner, uncapped VPN, robust firewall, 50 GB cloud backup, dark web monitoring, and a refund guarantee. - Detection rate: 99.8% with three false alarms. - Scan times: Quick scan in 58 seconds, full scan in 13 minutes and 22 seconds. - Renewal prices: .99 for Standard, .99 for Deluxe, .99 for Select Plus. 2. Bitdefender: - Best value and lightest on system resources. - First-year pricing: .99 for Antivirus Plus, .99 for Total Security, .99 for Family. - Features: Advanced Threat Defense, multi-layer ransomware remediation, Safepay banking browser. - Detection rate: 99.8% with five false alarms. - Scan times: Quick scan in 1 minute and 4 seconds, full scan in 14 minutes and 3 seconds. - Renewal prices: .99 for Antivirus Plus, .99 for Total Security, .99 for Family. 3. Avast One: - Best free antivirus and ideal for gamers. - Free tier available; paid options start at .99 for the first year. - Features: Modular features allowing users to activate only what they need. 4. NordVPN Threat Protection Pro: - Best antivirus and VPN in one. - Pricing starts at .49 per month on the Complete plan. 5. McAfee+: - Best for unlimited devices and mobile. - First-year pricing: .99 for unlimited devices. - Features: Top-notch mobile applications. Overall rankings are based on independent lab results, system impact, bundled features, two-year cost, and customer support. Norton 360 is rated 4.8/5, and Bitdefender is rated 4.7/5.

Winsage

July 17, 2026

Major Price Drop: Microsoft Office and Windows 11 down to $26

Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 and Windows 11 Pro are available for a one-time fee of .99, regularly priced at 9. This bundle includes a lifetime license for both products without any recurring fees. Microsoft 365 Personal costs .99 annually for only the Office suite, totaling nearly 0 over five years without an OS license. The Office 2019 suite includes core apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, featuring enhanced tools and capabilities. Windows 11 Pro offers a sleek interface, robust security features, and productivity tools. Both licenses are perpetual, eliminating subscription management.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

You Can Get Windows 11 Pro on Sale for A$14 Right Now

Windows 11 Pro is available for a limited time at a reduced price of A, down from A6, until July 16. It includes features such as Windows Copilot, a redesigned user interface, remote desktop access, TPM 2.0, Smart App Control, biometric login options, BitLocker device encryption, Azure Active Directory integration, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox. The offer is valid for updating a single PC, requiring a processor of at least 1GHz, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of hard disk space.

Winsage

June 16, 2026

You Can Get Windows 11 Pro on Sale for A$14 Right Now

Windows 11 Pro is currently available for a reduced price of A, down from A3. It features Windows Copilot, which can generate content and images, answer questions, and adjust settings. Other key features include remote desktop access, TPM 2.0, Smart App Control, biometric login, BitLocker encryption, Azure AD integration, Hyper-V, and Windows Sandbox. Minimum specifications for the upgrade are a 1GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of hard disk space. The promotion is sourced from a reputable Microsoft partner.

Winsage

June 9, 2026

Troubleshoot common Windows 11 Pro security alerts and what to do next

Windows 11 Pro includes a suite of security features under Windows Security, which continuously protects the PC. Common security alerts include: 1. "Turn on virus protection" or "Real-time protection is off" alerts: These occur after installing or removing a third-party antivirus. To restore protection, open Windows Security, select Turn on in the Virus & threat protection section, and confirm. 2. "Threat found" or "Threat found - action needed" alerts: Indicate that Windows Defender has detected a potential threat. To manage these, open Windows Security, navigate to Virus & threat protection, click on Protection history, select Threat blocked, and use the Actions dropdown to quarantine or allow the file. 3. "Threat quarantined" or "Threat blocked" alerts: A Threat quarantined alert means a file is isolated for review, while a Threat blocked alert indicates successful removal by Defender. Investigate how the threat entered the system. 4. SmartScreen alerts: SmartScreen protects against malicious websites and downloads. If a threat is identified, a red warning page appears. Users can report the site as safe or proceed at their own risk. Blocked downloads can be managed in Edge's Downloads menu. 5. "This app has been blocked" alerts: Smart App Control prevents the installation of untrusted applications. Disabling this feature should only be done if the application is deemed safe. Settings can be found under Windows Security > App & browser control > Smart App Control settings.

Winsage

June 9, 2026

Get Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Windows 11 Pro for a one-time $26

For a one-time payment of .99, users can acquire both Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 and Windows 11 Pro, a deal that contrasts with the regular price of 9.99, resulting in a saving of 0.01. Microsoft Office 2019 includes applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, featuring enhanced tools for user experience. Windows 11 Pro offers a cleaner interface, improved security features, productivity enhancements, and tools such as BitLocker and Hyper-V. It also includes a built-in Copilot for quick answers and writing assistance.