tekkaman

What I posted is to disable MS Updates not Defender. You have to use another antivirus anyway if you disable updates since Defender requires MS updates enabled to download definitions.

I'm sure there are some people that want the computer to stay the way you configure it. No MS messing with your computer by updating drivers without consent or adding ads you don't need. If you think that way then Windows Update Blocker is for you. Tested it on Windows 11 and it works. https://www.sordum.org/9470/windows-update-blocker-v1-8/ Basically it disables Windows Updates Service and protects it so that it doesn't get enabled by itself like what happens when you do it yourself.

The service in charge for firewall is called MPSSVC.dll. It's located in system32 folder. The service of Defender is called MsMpEng.exe and is located in C:\Program Files\Windows Defender. Both appear in Autoruns with those names.

Autoruns list everything. I've used it so many times. You have to run as administrator make sure these are unchecked: If it doesn't let you remove them directly from the app you have to right click the entry and select Jump to Entry. It will take you to registry and you can delete the whole folder. That will make the service disappear from the list. If it's not on the list it won't run. After that do a restart and it should be gone. Edit: I forgot to say that the services are listed differently in Autoruns. What you see is the name of the dll or executable. Not the name as it is presented when you use services.msc command.

I don't like assistants. All they do is "helpme" by owning my soul.

Ok here's something you can try. You want to delete the firewall service and Defender service right? The service in charge for firewall is called MPSSVC.dll. It's located in system32 folder. The service of Defender is called MsMpEng.exe and is located in C:\Program Files\Windows Defender. Since the services are running you can't fully delete the service from Windows. Here's what you can do for a full delete. Boot any Linux distro . Delete the files mentioned. Linux doesn't care about file protections from other OS and will delete the files. Next download Autoruns, run as administrator and Delete those services from the list of services. If it doesn't let you delete them because of permissions Click Jump to entry and delete the folder associated with the service. That is a more or less cleanup way to delete a Service. You can do a partial Cleanup. With just Autoruns you can delete the service from the list of services by using the jump to entry option. This will keep the files but technically if the service is NOT listed it will not run even if the files are still there. Keep in mind that Windows updates might restore deleted services. I can't say for sure because I don't update. I forgot to say that when using Autoruns you have to Uncheck Hide Microsoft and Windows Entries in the options menu.

I didn't know you could stay forever on an older version of windows 10 while still getting security updates. I wonder if that could bring stability issues in the long run.

My guess is because it says in the guide this: https://docs.ameliorated.io/using-wizard.html Maybe you can ask in the discord if it works with older versions of Windows.

I have a question. You mean you wanted to keep the 2017 version but download updates for that version ? You said you managed to do it. You mean you can get all the updates while keeping that version ?

From what I have seen Windows Firewall on recent Windows versions it's turned off if you install another firewall. The thing is, many security software pretend to have a firewall when they just rely on Windows firewall and all they do is provide another GUI for it. I think maybe the only way is to use the Ameliorate tools to remove protected services and files from Windows.

There's another thing you could try. There's Windows Ameliorated. Basically they used to provided a modified Iso of windows with all telemetry removed, all metro apps removed and even the activation was removed altogether. They got in trouble with MS because of that so they don't offer ready made isos anymore. They do offer a tool that lets you remove whatever you want from Windows. Maybe you can remove Windows firewall and Defender with it. Here's what they say in the website:

@UCyborg I use an old repack from DVBsupport on Windows XP. Is the installer from the official site clean with no spyware or adware ?

The thing is that sometimes eject doesn't work... @AstroSkipper It's Ok. We're just listing everything that works so that people can evaluate each alternative and choose whatever is best for them.

There was a time when it will severely limit your downloads if you didn't at least create an account. It would say something that users without accounts have limited downloads or something.

You can clear history for just an hour ago. If you only visited Mega in this hour only that will get deleted.

Since you're deleting the program data anyway why not just delete the history from the browser itself? Delete everything, not just the cookies.

I've had trouble with Mega and Palemoon browsers before. Maybe try another browser

I guess you can remove the pups manually then. You could use Revo uninstaller portable. Jdownloader is the best for any file host. It lets you log in automatically and it can even shutdown the computer after download is finished.

I just use Jdownloader so I don't have to enter the Mega Website. Be warned that make sure your antivirus is setup to detect pups because in the past it had those. After installed it doesn't download anymore pups.

The disadvantage of MSE is that it depends on Windows updates to get the definitions. There are certain computers that can't get updated. Like those HP stream laptops with 32GB of space. I have tried Kaspersky and 360 Security. Both are light. But you get more ads with 360 Security. I forgot to say that I tried the new Zone Alarm in one of the computers in the office and it was very light but as soon as I installed it I had problems with network printers. They wouldn't work. Tried playing with the settings but there's not much to configure in the new Zone Alarm so I gave up on it. But if you don't have network printers it's alright. It's very light as well.

I was using Eset 5 with firewall. With a hack I was able to update definitions after XP support ended. It was updating until april 2022. I will try Kaspersky free with Outpost firewall soon because I don't like Avast. Avast makes computers slow and it can cripple the computer when you remove it.

There are many computers that can't handle Windows 10 properly. In 2021 I was working in an attorney office as a secretary. The computer I had to use was one of those all in one PCs that are just the monitor with everything inside. The computer came originally with Windows 7 but someone installed Windows 10 on it. I must say it was slow as hell. It was running a cheap Celeron CPU and it could take almost 5 minutes to boot. Many people bought these computers thinking 2 things. They're saving space and by the price it must be good. In my country those computers costed way more than a traditional desktop. But were really crap. Other computers that can't handle Windows 10 are those HP Stream laptops that were sold with only 32Gb of space !Their small space would fill itself with windows updates making the computer unusable unless you disable updates.

I forgot. But I think it's worth it. It's only $19.90 . I think it's a fair price. It doesn't get updated that often to warrant a lifetime license.

All antiviruses became bad when they added cloud scanning. The only question you have to ask yourself is to which government you send your data to. Do you trust your government ? Or a government from another country? The reason US government say Kaspersky is bad is the same reason they say Tiktok is bad. US goverment wants the data of it's citizens. If everyone stops using Facebook, Twitter or any data collecting company that it's not US located they loose the data of their people. It's a war for your data. @Vistapocalypse I was using Eset 5 until it they stopped supporting XP. I have been too busy and haven't had the time to check Kaspersky on XP. Eset 5 was the lightest AV I've ever used. And I really appreciated their honesty when they allowed You to decide to not enable the ESET Live Grid. I quote: You will not lose any functionality in the software, and you will still receive the best protection that we offer.

Kaspersky free works great.