Microsoft Defender
Defend me against Defender
Microsoft Defender, previously known as Windows Defender, is the built-in antivirus client in Windows and part of the Windows Security suite. When I moved to Windows 10 (which I still use on my primary PC), I happily used Defender for quite a few years. Prior to Windows 10, I was in the habit of using either AVG, Avast, or something else for my PC’s antivirus needs instead of Windows’ built-in tools.
I found myself gravitating back to third-party programs like Malwarebytes and Bitdefender which seemed simpler to use and offered more features than Defender.
I’ve realized it’s always better to have some extra protection instead of regretting it later.
Microsoft OneDrive
No thanks, Google Drive is good for me
OneDrive is something I used a lot when I was working a corporate job. Backing up my entire work laptop to OneDrive was something I didn’t have to think about, as it was a part of the policies of the company. But, on my personal computer, I stay as far away from OneDrive as possible. I don’t like how it keeps bugging me from the system tray and the way it keeps coming across unexplained issues.
I use Google Drive only to back up a few important folders, so the limited space on offer isn’t an issue for me.
Google Drive, on the other hand, has been an almost perfect experience for me. As I use Drive on my Pixel phone, I’m used to it. Plus, it makes it easy to access any file I want from my phone, without needing to install an additional app. I use Google Drive only to back up a few important folders, so the limited space on offer isn’t an issue for me.
Microsoft Edge
Brave has edged out Edge for me
I was swift to move from Internet Explorer to Google Chrome. I loved the superior interface, clean & clutter-free settings, and faster operation. So, Microsoft had no chance to woo me back with the revamped Microsoft Edge. I’ll admit I have used Edge on occasion, and for short sessions, on secondary devices where I was too lazy to install Chrome. But outside of that, I’ve used Chrome the most, followed by Brave in the past few years.
I find Brave faster than Chrome, it comes with built-in blocking for ads and trackers, and I can use all the Chrome extensions I’m familiar with.
I still don’t like the route Microsoft is taking with Edge. There’s too much of Copilot in it, I have to see random and irrelevant “suggestions” and ads, and I still don’t like the way its settings are structured. I find Brave faster than Chrome, it comes with built-in blocking for ads and trackers, and I can use all the Chrome extensions I’m familiar with. So, there’s only one of two things to do on a new PC with Microsoft Edge — disable or uninstall it.
Xbox Game Bar
More trouble than it’s worth
The Xbox Game Bar is supposed to enhance your gaming experience on Windows, helping you capture screenshots and game recordings, view real-time FPS, and more. But, I’ve always found it to be more of a nuisance than anything else. The real-time FPS and other monitoring features don’t work half the time (I just see a blank next to the FPS counter), the interface has far more stuff than is necessary, and I use OBS Studio for any game recordings.
There’s a lot Microsoft needs to do to improve the Xbox Game Bar to a point where I’ll feel remotely interested in it.
If I really want an FPS counter in-game, I use MSI Afterburner (with Rivatuner), and I’m good to go. Even for streaming, I can use Nvidia ShadowPlay to broadcast my game to YouTube or Twitch. There’s a lot Microsoft needs to do to improve the Xbox Game Bar to a point where I’ll feel remotely interested in it. Until then, I’m always happy to disable it and go on with setting up a new Windows PC.
Windows Update
No, I don’t need the latest BSOD delivery
Windows Update is always at the top of my list of things to disable on a new Windows PC. Once I’m done installing the first batch of critical updates when setting up a new system, I swiftly proceed to disable the service for good. Updates are important, yes, and most users should not disable Windows Update, but I do this only on my personal PC, and I’m willing to live with the consequences.
This is probably something I’d not advise others to do, but for me, Windows Update is a no-go.
Considering how Microsoft’s focus is on incorporating Copilot features and new types of updates into Windows above all else, I have little hope that any of these apps will get better anytime soon. While many users might like OneDrive better than Google Drive or think that Microsoft Defender is good enough in 2024, I find it hard to change my patterns and habits without strong motivation.
Microsoft’s new Start Menu ads give a clear ‘window’ into the company’s approach toward Windows, and it’s not pretty. We might have to wait for the next Windows version for things to change, if at all.