AstroSkipper

DreamMail Pro - Update information! DreamMail Pro has been updated again and is now available in version 6.6.6.10. It is still XP-compatible, and the development is ongoing! I have not been able to find a version history on their homepage. Therefore, I generated an official version history translated to English and provide it here: And here is the download link of DreamMail Pro 6.6.6.10: https://dl.cy-email.com/dm6/Download/dmpro_setup6.6.6.10.exe To force the updated installer of DreamMail Pro 6.6.6.10 to use English instead of Chinese as the installer language, I updated again my small loader that does this when it calls up the setup program. It must be executed in the same directory in which the setup file is located with its original file name dmpro_setup6.6.6.10.exe. Here is the download link of my loader Force_En_Install_DM_Pro_66610.exe: https://www.mediafire.com/file/ijovdtlxbzc6pkp/Force_En_Install_DM_Pro_66610.7z/file Although some virus scanners detect this file as malicious, it is just a false-positive as always. Use my loader to force an English install, only if you trust me, of course! Cheers, AstroSkipper

Update notification! Both versions of my Root Certificate and Revoked Certificate Updater for offline use have been updated and are now of 04/25/2023. You can find them in the section 11.2.4. Downloads related to Root Certificate Updates in the first post of this thread. Cheers, AstroSkipper

BitDefender 1.0.21.1109 can't be verified here to be working in Windows XP. The online installers for this version don't work anymore. BitDefender must have removed the online sources which these installers need to download. An offline installer would therefore be necessary. @bluebolt You made the following statement in March of this year: Since then, no further information from you! At this point, I would ask you to share your knowledge with us. Any detailed information about this offline installer would be helpful such as name, size, date and version. Even better would be a working download link or, if there is no longer one, an upload link. Thanks in advance! Kind regards, AstroSkipper PS: Due to the lack of a working installer, I added BitDefender 1.0.21.1109 to the list in the third post.

Thanks for pointing out a gap in my knowledge! I do appreciate that. TBH, no one is perfect. And don't worry I do not feel any pressure here as always. I generally do what I think to be done.

And one thing is clear. I won't test any Kaspersky security program. I never liked it and I made bad experiences using it when it was installed in my system. That is years ago, and in these days ...

Yep, just an assumption as I already stated. And there are others than Avast. The AV scan engine is not reinvented with every edition of a version. And BTW, assuming does not mean knowing. There is a difference.

Hooray! There are still real Windows XP users here in the Windows XP Forum. Now we are already three! @NotHereToPlayGames, @tekkaman and @AstroSkipper. Even if that doesn't really help me now, I'm still glad to hear something like that.

Based on my recent research I did for many different security programs, Kaspersky 18.0 was the last XP-compatible version. Starting with Kaspersky 19.0, the system requirements changed, and Windows Vista was listed as a minimum requirement. But KIS 18 was tested by AV-TEST, and I assume KFA and KIS 18 are based on the same scan engine as most AV companies usually do. Therefore, the scan results can be used to get an idea. Here is a test of KIS 18: https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/windows-7/february-2018/kaspersky-lab-internet-security-18.0-180557/ Cheers, AstroSkipper PS: I totally forgot. Also happy birthday to MBAM 3.5.1!

Avast Free Antivius 2015 (last version for SSE only CPUs): This version is the last compatible version of Avast Free Antivirus for Windows XP running on a computer with a CPU that does not have more than the SSE instruction set. It still receives definition updates on a regular base. Features: Datasheet: http://files.avast.com/files/marketing/materials/datasheets/en/v2015/avast_free_2015_en.pdf Homepage: https://web.archive.org/web/20151004232841/https://www.avast.com/index Version number: 10.4.2233.1299 Date of release: 17.09.2015 System requirements: Windows XP (with at least SP2), Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 in both the 32- and 64-bit variant. Pentium 3 processor or higher with 128 MB RAM and 2 GB of hard-drive space. Test: https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/windows-10/october-2015/avast-free-antivirus-2015-153713/ Review: https://tecoreviews.com/reviews/avast-free-antivirus-2015-review/ Download links: Offline installer: https://www.afterdawn.com/software/security/antivirus/avast_free.cfm/2015__10_4_2233_ or https://www.filepuma.com/download/avast_free_antivirus_10.4.2233-9698/ Avast VPS update for versions 9 to 11: https://install.avcdn.net/ivps9x/vpsupd.exe Screenshots: I listed here Avast Free Antivius 2015 only for all owners of a very old computer whose CPU lacks of SSE2 and up. The program itself is very old, but Avast still rolls out regularly definition updates online and offline for this version. Kind regards, AstroSkipper

I revised my article about Avast Free Antivirus again: I added new screenshots, new links and further facts. I think it should be complete now, at least I do hope so. If you find any mistakes or miss something, please just post it here! Kind regards, AstroSkipper

Although this thread is actually only targeting the Windows XP operating system, I have nevertheless added the necessary system requirements to my articles in which I present security programs, in order to let our fans of Windows Vista in particular know whether the program in question is compatible with this operating system or not. Cheers, AstroSkipper

Define is now defined? Fine!

IMHO, there is no need to close this thread. And one thing is clear. If this thread should be closed, it will still not be deleted. You can access the information collected here at any time, but then you can no longer add anything new. Just as it has always been here on MSFN. Anyway! This thread contains a lot of important information, a source of knowledge. I use it for my research regularly.

When I say a real XP user, I mean using Windows XP on real hardware and no VM. I need a confirmation from a user with Windows XP SP3 fully updated including all POSReady updates as my issue appears only under this condition. I just want to find out if my partition or the Glarysoft Startup Manager has a problem. You do not have POSReady updates installed in your system, so you're out. Sorry! But thanks for your reply! And of course, you are a real XP user, too.

To all real (no VM) Windows XP SP3 (32 Bit) Professional POSReady users! Is anyone else here in the forum who can or can't confirm this issue described in the quoted posts? I am still interested in a confirmation in terms of the issue described in the quoted posts above to decide whether it is POSReady related or not. This request is addressed to all members using a real (no VM) Windows XP SP3 (32 Bit) Professional, fully updated including all POSReady Updates. Or am I the only real XP (32 Bit) user here? Thanks in advance! Greetings, AstroSkipper Apparently, I am really the only real Windows XP user, or no one is willing to do a 5 minute test as described above. TBH, both options are a bit tragical, unfortunately.

Ok! I checked again the Avast Free Antivirus homepage from November of 2018 on archive.org. For Avast Free Antivirus 18.8, four Core Shields are listed to be available: File Shield, Behavior Shield, Web Shield and Email Shield (only Outlook and Thunderbird are supported). Additionally, I found a German YouTube video from 2018 which confirms that indeed all features exist and can be enabled. Therefore, I revised my post in terms of available shields in Avast Free Antivirus.

In times of Avast Premier, I didn't install Software Updater, either. Those features are always crap. But are you sure that all features from my first screenshot are fully available in Avast Free Antivirus? I assume that for example SecureLine VPN has to be paid and is not really part of Avast Free Antivirus. And I read on Avast's homepage from 2018 (archive.org) a spam and phishing filter is only a feature of AIS or AP. So is there really a Mail Shield in Avast Free Antivirus?

Thanks for your reply! Of course, I always try to treat programs I present as fairly as possible. BTW, you must have misunderstood something. I am not looking for a better program. I'm not doing all this for myself, but to give all Windows XP users a structured overview of the remaining protection programs and to preserve data of them. As far as security peograms are concerned, I am well provided for. And there is no doubt that Avast has a perfect detection rate. I have used Avast Premier for ages in my system, and there was a time I was more happy with it. As your “Protection” screenshot shows, those features are locked in Avast Free, although I’m sure you had them with Avast Premier. (Malwarebytes Premium includes Ransomware Protection, but unfortunately that feature is inactive on XP/Vista. ) As I wrote, I used Avast Free Antivirus only a short time. Maybe, I overstated it. So, no Ransomware Shield. Ok! Do you know whether it has the Web Protection feature? Or much better, does it have a Web Shield and a Mail Shield? Can you upload a screenshot with all available shields? I thought that was meant by core Firewall functionality. I know there is no firewall, of course. It's a feature of AIS and AP. I only wrote what I found about the features of Avast Free Antivirus. And all sources stated different facts. Even on the original Avast Free Antivirus homepage from 2018. And you're right, Avast Premier has all these features including the Ransomware Shield. Anyway! I didn't install Avast Free Antivirus and I won't do it, either.

Avast Free Antivirus The most used and very often recommended antivirus program for Windows XP is probably Avast Free Antivirus, and that for years. It is supposed to use advanced algorithms for detecting viruses, malware, spyware and other threats in real-time. The Core Shields are: File Shield, Behavior Shield, Web Shield and Email Shield (only Outlook and Thunderbird are supported). Furthermore, it is supposed to protect against rootkits, and it offers additionally a Software Updater and Wi-Fi Inspector. Avast Free Antivirus still protects Windows XP owners with regular virus definition updates. But Avast no longer provides program updates, new features, bug fixes, or support for Windows XP. It was tested by AV-TEST and achieved a detection rate of almost 100% in November and December 2018 (see below). Key Features: Real-time protection against malware and online threats. Automatic analysis of suspicious files with CyberCapture. Network scanning and Wi-Fi security with Wi-Fi Inspector. Behavioral monitoring with Behavior Shield. Comprehensive scanning with Smart Scan. Creating a Rescue Disk for emergency use. Browser cleanup to improve online security. Password management with autofill feature. Game Mode to optimize computer performance during gameplay. Homepage: https://www.avast.com/windows-xp-antivirus https://web.archive.org/web/20181120211126/https://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download Version number: 18.8.4084.0 (18.8.2356) Date of release: 15.11.2018 System Requirements: A PC with 256 MB+ RAM and 1.5 GB of hard disk space. Avast Antivirus is compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP SP3. Version history and release notes: Review: https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/software/1406757/avast-free-antivirus-2018-review-the-best-free-security-suite Tests: Avast in general: https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/manufacturer/avast/ https://www.av-comparatives.org/tests/summary-report-2018/#avast Screenshot with the final test results from AV-TEST: Screenshot with the Product of the Year 2018 award from AV-Comparatives: Avast Free Antivirus 18.7 & 18.8 in detail: https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/windows-10/december-2018/avast-free-antivirus-18.7--18.8-184902/ Download links: Online installer: https://install.avcdn.net/av/avast/iavs9x/avast_free_antivirus_setup_online.exe Offline installer: https://install.avcdn.net/iavs9x-xp/avast_free_antivirus_setup_offline.exe Avast VPS update for versions 12+: https://install.avcdn.net/vpsnitro/vpsupd.exe Avast Uninstall Utility (Avast Clear) in the correct version of 18.8.4084.0: https://web.archive.org/web/20181116091922if_/http://iavs9x.avg.u.avcdn.net/iavs9x/avastclear.exe How to uninstall Avast using Avast Clear: Sometimes it's not possible to uninstall Avast the standard way using the Add/Remove Programs in control panel. In this case, you can use the uninstallation utility Avast Clear: Download avastclear.exe on your desktop. Start Windows in Safe Mode. Execute the avastclear.exe. If you installed Avast in a different folder than the default, browse for it. (Note: Be careful! The content of any folder you choose will be deleted!). Click REMOVE. Restart your computer. Screenshots: I only used Avast Free Antivirus for a very short time. The version of Avast I had installed for years was Avast Premier. Unfortunately, I have a split opinion about Avast. On the one hand, it's great that Avast offers such a program for Windows XP at all, although this operating system was abandoned by Microsoft in 2014. And then also free of charge and with real-time protection. That is rather rare. Avast continues to roll out definition updates for this old version on a regular base. Furthermore, it has an excellent detection rate of almost 100%. On the other hand, I had various problems with Avast. Exceptions that were set for alarms of the background guard were simply ignored. Avast partly operates according to its own standards and does not always respect the user's settings, which I rather consider as disenfranchisement of the user. I don't like that, and it's simply a no go. Another bad habit of Avast, and unfortunately that of many other manufacturers, is to offer features that are apparently free. For example, SecureLine VPN. In fact, you have to pay for it. I find something like this to be more of a cost trap. That's why I didn't list this feature above. And I had serious problems to uninstall Avast completely. That was actually another no go. Furthermore, I don't like the disk space consumption of Avast products which is always very high. One main reason for that is probably the implementing of (unnecessary) features or those which only can be used if you pay for them. More details about problems in terms of Avast, you will find here: Despite all points of criticism, Avast Free Antivius is a program offering a very good protection and definitely an option for Windows XP, but I personally can't and won't recommend it here due to my reservations and experiences from the past. Kind regards, AstroSkipper

And I totally forgot to mention that all what I do here is very time-consuming and needs a lot of reading and detailed research. Unfortunately, the internet forgets, much has been deleted. Therefore, you have to search the archives to get the information you desire about old, abandoned programs such as Malwarebytes Premium 3.5.1. All that just to let Windows XP live forever, or at least as long as possible.

Well then, everything is fine, and I can finally get back to the real thing. AstroSkipper

I didn't say you started or recommended anything. But I said you mentioned the VB100 test results regarding Vir.IT eXplorer. Nothing more, nothing less! So what's your problem? If you don't want to be mentioned for what you wrote yourself, then it isn't a problem of mine but yours. AstroSkipper

And now a general statement about this thread. I collect and present information about security programs for Windows XP here in the most structured way possible. I also share the knowledge I have acquired as a Windows XP user for 22 years now. I don't have to do all this, I am well supplied here with everything that is necessary to use Windows XP as securely as possible in the future. All I do here is preserving and sharing knowledge and information to help others in using Windows XP safely for as long as possible. Nothing more, nothing less!

Thank you for your get-well wishes!

@D.Draker Just to clarify it! It was @jaclaz and you who stated the following: What I did was simply checking the results of these tests which @jaclaz and you mentioned here. And unfortunately the results are rather poor. So it seems you trust tests from Virus Bulletin in general otherwise you wouldn't have mentioned it. Therefore, I don't understand your objections at all. You can't put forward arguments and then directly cast doubt on them again. That does not make sense at all. Spoken for me only, there are some testing institutes I try to trust: AV-TEST, Virus Bulletin and AV-Comparatives. And I don't and won't do such tests by myself. People cannot always be of the same opinion. But that is no reason to throw in the towel right away. So, don't leave! Go on! That's the idea of discussions. Thank you again! Yes, the last weeks I am so tired ... I really don't know what's going on here. Greetings, AstroSkipper