Antivirus & Firewall - Windows 7

[PlasbianX]

So I got a new laptop for christmas that has windows 7 on it. Anyone know of any good free antivirus + firewall for windows 7? I really don't want to have to buy either of the two unless its absolutely necessary (no piracy either :cop:). It's not going to be used for anything other than school work (cause it has no AA and my games look terribad :saddowns:) but I still wanna play it safe with a firewall and some form of antivirus. Thanks.

[Kalub]

If it's for school only then you don't need them. HTH

[Rook]

I never use a firewall other than the windows firewall that probably does nothing, but I do use microsoft security essentials (http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/). Doesn't take too many resources...

[Reaper Man]

I just use Windows Firewall. For antivirus I use Panda Cloud Antivirus (http://www.cloudantivirus.com/en/) because it's very lightweight.

[StankBacon]

avg

[Cortexian]

avg
qft

[Phopojijo]

Microsoft Security Essentials -- and while you shouldn't turn off Windows Firewall... keeping your computer attached to a router will act like a great inbound firewall.

If you need an outbound firewall... you already have Malware... which will disable the firewall anyway. Reinstall Windows :p

[Timo]

Have to agree with the others, Windows Firewall and Microsoft Security Essentials.

[NullZero]

I use Avira as my anti-virus and Comodo Firewall.

[Jelly]

Windows firewall is fine for most users, and MSE is awesome for a free antivirus.

[CrAsHOvErRide]

Have to agree with the others, Windows Firewall and Microsoft Security Essentials.

^ that.

[Limited]

I use the default Windows firewall, I use AVG Internet Security for AV and like anti-spyware/anti-rootkit etc..

You liking Windows 7 though? I finally got my pc working a few days ago with Win 7 and I just love it :D:D

[PlasbianX]

I use the default Windows firewall, I use AVG Internet Security for AV and like anti-spyware/anti-rootkit etc..

You liking Windows 7 though? I finally got my pc working a few days ago with Win 7 and I just love it :D:D

I ended up just using the windows 7 firewall along with microsoft essentials. So to everyone who recommended essentials, +rep for you.

And for windows 7, i do like it but I don't. I'm finding it a little hard to get used to when im so used to XP. I do like the UI and Taskbar, just don't like the dock.

[Phopojijo]

I ended up just using the windows 7 firewall along with microsoft essentials. So to everyone who recommended essentials, +rep for you.

And for windows 7, i do like it but I don't. I'm finding it a little hard to get used to when im so used to XP. I do like the UI and Taskbar, just don't like the dock.
*Unpin everything from the taskbar... (right click on the icon and click "unpin this program from the taskbar")

Go into taskbar and start menu properties (in the control panel)
*check use small icons...
*choose from taskbar buttons dropdown menu "Combine when taskbar is full"...

That should be very familiar.

Or just use the new dock for a bit and get used to it because I'm almost certain it'll grow on you.

[CrAsHOvErRide]

*Unpin everything from the taskbar... (right click on the icon and click "unpin this program from the taskbar")

Go into taskbar and start menu properties (in the control panel)
*check use small icons...
*choose from taskbar buttons dropdown menu "Combine when taskbar is full"...

That should be very familiar.

Or just use the new dock for a bit and get used to it because I'm almost certain it'll grow on you.
I did that exactly. My Taskbar has the old feel to it.

[Limited]

I like the big task bar, even though I'm running at 1024 x 768 which makes the bar take up a ton of the screen.

Any way to make the icons on desktop smaller though?

[Phopojijo]

I did that exactly. My Taskbar has the old feel to it.That's the thing with Microsoft... they try to make Windows work as close to the ways that the old Windows have worked... and every version between...

Except XP theme... for some reason...

[PlasbianX]

I like the big task bar, even though I'm running at 1024 x 768 which makes the bar take up a ton of the screen.

Any way to make the icons on desktop smaller though?

Smaller, idk, but i managed to change the spacing on mine.

[Limited]

Smaller, idk, but i managed to change the spacing on mine.
Turns out you hold CTRL and use the mouse scroll wheel.

[Rook]

I like the big task bar, even though I'm running at 1024 x 768 which makes the bar take up a ton of the screen.

Any way to make the icons on desktop smaller though?

Right click desktop > View > Small icons

[Timo]

To be more precise, click the desktop, hold down control and scroll your mouse wheel up/down.

[PlasbianX]

To be more precise, click the desktop, hold down control and scroll your mouse wheel up/down.

Does this stick after a reboot?

[Timo]

Yes