Windows 11 security without s

Question

I recently bought a new laptop advertised as running 10S and eligible for an upgrade.

Checking I find I have Windows 11 S. If I remove safety mode should I install added antivirus programme?

Reading up it seems Defender comes low down the list of effective anti-virus and malware.

Thank you from a reasonably savvy silver surfer

Answer 1

Hi Eileen,

I am Dave, I will help you with this.

The only difference between Windows Home and Windows in S Mode is that in S Mode you can only install Apps from the Store and not 3rd party software, and because you cannot install or execute 3rdparty software, that makes Windows a bit more secure.

However, most people find Windows in S mode too restrictive and they need to switch to Windows Home edition.

Windows Security has many components, of which Defender is only one part and it is Windows Security that is currently protecting your system, have you experienced any difficulty up to now?

Windows Security is not low down on the list, on most Security forums, when compared to 3rd party anti-virus suites, it is rated up there with the best of them

The main thing when switching out of S Mode is to only install software from the software developers official website, and you will not experience any difficulty or any extra threat on your PC.

Answer 2

Why would you want to install another AV? S more just means that you're prohibited from installing apps outside of MS Store. Defender is the only fully-free AV giving you awesome protection (but not much as the really popular ones. I don't mind that, not every AV can be excellent like the other) which gets daily updates. It blocks most malware and some ransomwares.

It is up to you to decide whether to install or not, not us.