Windows 8 with all its glossy design and built-to-ease features is out for more than two months. You might have upgraded to the new product from Microsoft, or may be still making up your mind to buy Windows 8. In either of the case, it is Metro UI and full-screen apps, which will make you, switch to Windows 8.

Apps are what make up your system; let you do your tasks, maintain the system’s performance and integrity, and help and ease your work. As apps are so important, a good choice of apps is necessary for anyone. Therefore, here is a list of top 20 apps for your Windows 8, chosen from the best, for the best!

Recommended Reading: Getting Around (And About) The New Windows 8 UI

File Brick

File Brick is a powerful file manager for the touch interface. Browse and access your files and folders in a simple yet beautiful interface.

You can browse the files in your local and external drives, and also, the cloud storage accounts like Google Drive, SkyDrive, Facebook, etc.

Work Notes Pro

Work Notes Pro is a professional note-taking app designed for the Metro UI. You can save notes, photos, record audio and video clips, etc.

You get the option to sync your notes and other data to your SkyDrive account.

Goals

Goals is a task management app that can make you keep track of your goals or tasks. You can save your goals and this app will do its best to encourage you to complete your goals.

Custom Tiles Maker

Custom Tiles Maker lets you make custom tiles on the start screen with your choice of photos. Tiles can be simple, random, or changing.

Flow.Timer

flow.timer is a social time tracking app, i.e., a task tracking system suitable for the use by a single person or multiple persons, e.g., a team or a company working together on a project. It eases the collaboration with other people on a project.

Format Converter X

Format Converter X is an audio and video converter for Windows 8. You can convert multiple audio and video formats to other formats using this app.

Type Speed

Type Speed helps you check and improve your typing. It has easy-to-learn lessons on typing that will help you increase your typing speed and accuracy.

Bitcasa Infinite Storage

Bitcasa Infinite Storage provides infinite cloud storage for all of your data needs. You can sync your whole hard disk to their servers for free!

Digital Diary

Digital Diary is a digitized version of the old-styled text diary. You can use it to write daily diary, save photos, memorize events, etc.

Fhotoroom

Fhotoroom is a professional photo-editing app designed for the touch interface. It offers many advanced image-editing tools, e.g., styles, frames, etc. along with providing the basic features such as crop, brush, exposure, colors, resize, etc.

RainbowDrive

RainbowDrive lets you connect to three of your cloud storage providers, namely SkyDrive, DropBox, and Google Drive.

You can access the files from all those cloud services at a single place using this app.

Bitdefender Insight

Bidefender Insight updates you about latest security and vulnerability news along with giving some tips on how to keep your system protected. It also offers an interface to check the security status of Bitdefender products installed on your other systems.

IHeartRadio

iHeartRadio is the app you were looking for, if you are addicted to online radio stations. It has over fifteen hundred of radio stations for you to choose from, and much more features to draw your attention.

TeamViewer Touch

TeamViewer Touch brings the power of remote control to Windows 8′s touch interface. You can easily control other computers (even behind firewalls) and be careless about the security as it uses highest security standard.

ToolBox For Windows 8

ToolBox for Windows 8 lets you do many tasks on the same screen by dividing the screen into various areas and running one tool in one area.

It offers many tools to run simultaneously such as web browser, Facebook, clock, weather, calculator, paint, etc.

Line

Line is re-designed for the Windows 8′s user interface offering all of its chat features. Line is a free app to make text or video chats online.

Line is not only a chat app but can also be used to send text, voice, or video messages, and fun stickers (enhanced emoticons that can convey your feelings in a pleasing manner).

Xmarks

Xmarks is a bookmark manager developed to carry all of your bookmarks at one place. You can have your bookmarks from many of your browsers – all of them at one place for easy reach.

Search All

Search All helps you to make a search using different search engines easily at a single place without the need of opening their websites one by one.

Todo

Todo is a simple and intuitive task manager. It can be used to set and manage tasks and reminders. You can also opt to show the reminders on the live tile.

SplashID

SplashID is a password manager built for the Windows 8. It is easy, secure, and manageable. You can arrange your credentials in categories and types. SplashID uses AES and Blowfish 256-bit encryption to keep your secrets as secrets.

Windows Store is still in its early days and hardly has hundreds of excellent apps. Touch screen apps optimized for small and large screens are the beauty of tech development visible in Windows 8.

However, there are many apps (as listed above) which will let you enjoy the new way of computing. Enjoy your new Windows!

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Dear visitors,

Happy February! While you all are reading this Post, I'll be at the gym with my friend. Now you might be wondering what that has to do with this week's topic, which is whether you can install Windows 7 over Windows 8.

Well, like a marriage brings change to your life, so does working with a new operating system. Most people dread change; stepping outside of our comfort zone is not something we look forward to usually. And with Windows 8 being very different than what we are mostly accustomed to, it is a huge change. This week's question from Gary probably sounds familiar to many folks, who may have the same thoughts: You went out and bought a new PC with Windows 8 preloaded on it and came to quickly realize that it's so different and you just simply don't want to put up with it. And I don't blame anyone bit for being frustrated and wanting to revert to Windows 7. But before you do that, there are a lot of people who suggest giving Windows 8 a chance; many of our friends and professionals and IT GEEKS felt the same way as you when they first started with Windows 8, but then eventually grew to like it. 

Now if you've given Windows 8 a chance and it still falls short of what you'd like it to be, before you attempt to downgrade to 7, many people recommended trying out a few programs that you can install on Windows 8 that will allow you to make Windows 8 look and feel like a more familiar Windows layout. And if that doesn't work out, there are plenty of posts on internet that will help you install Windows 7. Give them all a thorough read, as I'm sure you'll find a solution that will satisfy your needs. Good luck!

Now if any of you have any additional advice to offer other people or have experienced this yourself and have successfully downgraded to 7 from 8, swing on by and discuss this topic with us. Thanks for your participation. Have a great weekend!

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Hi, Guys

Today i am going to talk about should we choose windows 8 as or OS or not? Well first of All i was thinking the same what you think right now before using windows 8. Its true that if you suddenly move towards a new enviroment its difficult in start but when you use it for a time you will see that windows 8 is much more easier smarter, faster , comfortable and more stable than older versions of windows and thats not the end there is more to come in windows 8. As Microsoft is working days and nights to improve there OS.

SO WHAT SHOULD I CHOOSE WINDOWS 8 ?
Anwer is absolutely yes if you are windows user for personal computing. But it also depends on your needs if you network administrator or some server manager or linux GEEK than it may be not your first choice. Because it depends what you want todo in general as a personal OS its really cool to use windows 8.

Why i should upgrade to windows 8?
GOOD question and the answer is below.

Its Faster.
I am linux GEEK and lover but one day i think i should give a try to windows 8 and you know what the first impression from windows 8 on my mind was mind blowing. Because i use linux for speed and windows 8 was really faster on my laptop and my laptop is not bult for windows 8 it was for windows 7 so after few days i decided to stick with windows 8 for few days more and everything on windows 8 was much better than windows 7 and was faster.

Its stable
Programs on windows 8 donot crash like on windows sometimes internet explorer crashes or chrome or opera or other apps than you kill than by task killer it doesnt happens on windows 8 because it manages the memory and process better than other OS's yes it may crash but not like other older versions very less crashes which measn more stability.

Faster Web surfing
This part is the most awesome part on windows 8 i felt that i surf much faster than before on internet the videos on youtube loads faster without any lag and the video streaming was more stable on IE 10 than google chrome. I am not a fan of IE but it impressed me (KEEP IT UP MICROSOFT WANT TO SEE MORE BETTER IE).

Tablet interface plus Traditional Desktop
Yes its true 2 in one thats amazing the tablet interface optimized for touch and mouse is really awesome and works well with mouse and touch and yes you will have your traditional desktop for all your crapy icons :/. for me its awesome as i am web developer plus multimedia user i loved the whole experience with windows 8

Conclusion:
I recommend windows 8 100%. And i advice you to give a try to windows 8 for few days experience it than take any step

Hope you guys will love it.

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Microsoft officially launched Office 2013 today. And if you haven't heard already, the company's offering it in several versions, including one that is subscription based, called Microsoft Office 365. Rather than the traditional method of buying the Office suite outright for a one time fee, you can subscribe to Office 365 for $99 a year. For that subscription price, you get the complete Office suite including Outlook, Publisher, and Access; you can install it on five computers; you get 1 hour of Skype calls each month; 20GB of online storage; and you get all new updates/upgrades that Microsoft pushes out on its Office products.

Microsoft thinks that this subscription model is easier to manage, allows for automatic upgrades, and gives customers flexibility to use the software on any device. With the traditional Office, you are only allowed to install it on one computer, and if you wanted the latest and greatest features, you had to buy the upgraded version. You also have to pay to install it on more than one computer.

So what do you think? Is this new subscription-based Microsoft Office something that you would buy? Or would you stick with the traditional method of buying software outright? Do you think subscription is the way of the future? And, more importantly, will you get your money's worth with this type of plan?

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Happy SATURDAY! After watching CNET coverage of CES 2013, let me ask you this: Was there anything in tech that got you excited and that you're looking forward to in 2013? If there is, tell us about it right here in the CNET Member Giveaway comment section. If you do, you'll get a chance to win a Fitbit Flex, which won the CNET Best of CES award! CNET is giving away not one, but five of them, so submit your comment now. (Sorry, international folks -- this is open to U.S. residents only. Please see the rules here for details.)

Now let's touch on Gary's question, which deals with his Windows 7 System Restore suddenly disappearing from the Windows Start Menu.

Gary, hopefully this is something that is can be easily solved. As member wpgwpg pointed out, you may have inadvertently dragged your System Restore icon somewhere else. And if that's the case, your program hasn't been deleted or gone any where - it's just a matter finding another method of getting to that program. And once you find your Windows System Restore program again, all you have to do is create another shortcut and add to which ever place in Windows you'd prefer.

In other responses to your question, a few members described how they go about getting to their System Restore, so do check them out. Now if the missing Windows System restore program icon missing isn't the case --and it is completely missing in your OS, then I think you may have greater problem on your hands and we'll have to revisit this issue. But first, see if it's just the icon missing and System Restore is actually still around. And when you get a chance please let us know how these solutions work out and post your results in the discussion. Good luck, Gary! Thanks everyone for your contributions. Have a great weekend!

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Suppose we have the following scenario and want to install the FTP Server service and DNS. The steps are as follows:

1. Configure TCP / IP for both client and server. Remember uncheck IPv6 in the properties window TCP / IP.

2. Check the LAN connection between client and server. If the ping succeeds had to point 3.

3. We add the FTP service on the server:

• <Control Panel> <Enable caracteristicas> <Programas and features on or off Windows Folder <Features> <Add functions> server> <Memory <dns> and Web <Server (IIS)>
•  Within the IIS feature is the FTP.
• To see that this started we will: <Home> <Herramientas administrativas> <IIS>

4. Install Active Directory:

• <execute> <Home> <dcpromo>:
•  Create a new domain in a new forest
•  FQDN: miempresa.com
•  Domain functional level: Windows Server 2003 (ensures compatibility with Windows Server 2008) in Windows Server 2008 change adds no new functionality and does not support Windows Server 2003 in the event that there are more servers in the network.
•  Next, next .....
•  Restart

5. Create a new FTP site:

• Create a new FTP site from the IIS console:
• IP: The server
• Do not isolate users
• directory: C: \ empresaFTP
• Permits: L and E
• Inside the folder empresaFTP put some file.
• In <Properties> Can see the site properties:
• By default the user disconnects inactive 120sec
• Ports used.
• You have enabled logging. See where you save and It stores
• Option to write a welcome message.

 Configuring the DNS to resolve ftp.miempresa.com

• Client PC open a browser and type: ftp://ftp.miempresa.com. We list and download the file but can not write because we have default permissions.

Beware that the Windows Firewall is off, when you reboot the machine back on.

6. Configure FTP site with user access:

• From the Server setup the old site to not allow anonymous access,

• Create user in active directory JR:
• Open console and Equipment Actuve User> Directory>
• Create a new organizational unit called ftpusers.
• Create a user within ftpusers JR.
• 
  
• We include the client PC with the user domain Jr:
• ftp.miempresa.com try to access the site and folder c: \> EmpresaFtp. By default we will read and execute permissions since JR is a user belonging to the Domain Users group

• We eliminate the "user group" in the folder c: \> EmpresaFtp. You can access now? no
•  Right click on the folder, properties, security,

• Advanced Options: (will neceasary this step to remove the inherited permissions of the group)

• Uncheck "Include inheritable permissions ....." and copy. OK, OK

Edit and Remove "Users (MyCompany \ Users)"

• We add the user "JR" permissions to the folder c: \> EmpresaFtp. You can read and write? Write not.
• We give the user "JR" in the security tab of the folder c: \> EmpresaFtp permission.

We found that pq modemos modify the file we downloaded, we modify and upload to the server has become all from Windows Explorer (not from Internet Explorer)

• We will keep JR can save more than 100KB in EmpresaFtp folder.:

• Disco <Display C> <Cuota>:
• Enable quota manager
• Deny space if it exceeds limit
•  Register an event when ......

• <Factory of Cuota> <New>, add user JR and space limits.

Since the client and the user connected with JR, we try to copy more than 100KB of information in the folder EmpresaFtp. If all goes well, we will receive a warning message to the copied 90KB 100KB and if we exceed the error and we will not leave us. We may be seeing the messages in the event screen in <Display C> disk, <Cuotas>, <Factory of Cuota> and select User JR.

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Windows 8 seems an exercise in frustration.  Traenk wonders if there is more coming...  

From my perspective, limited I know, only a fool disregards Microsoft.  My experiences with Windows 8 imply something is 'in the air'.

Windows 8 is as frustrating to me as trying to control a computer through setting an Altair with those original switches.  This is not the interface I would have chosen.   Tablet interfaces are great for tablets.  For computers used by data entry people?  By scientists?  By computer support people?  No, for me, Windows 8 remains in the box until I get a more useful interface.  Yes, I may have purchased my last Windows OS and possibly, last bit of hardware that doesn't become a Linux-kenstein monster whose hardware is robbed to run an OS with better interface choices.

And that's when it hit me...  Is Microsoft considering offering what many of us have asked about for more than a decade?  The Windows OS is very strong, with a potential for high security.  What holds it back from being a truly universal OS is the tight coupling between Operating System and Primary and Only Interface:  The Windows GUI Shell.  Anyone who's used TweakUI knows the G-Shell is very rich set of features and opportunities.

And from my study of the Win 8 OS, I know there are many compelling security features.

Microsoft:  Tear down those GUI-Shell Walls!  Let US work WITH YOU to build a Windows Shell experience that allows us to create WINDOWS EVERYWHERE experiences that truly cater to niche users.

I applaud Microsoft for the gutsy move of making the Metro, whatever-it's-called, interface the primary way.  I though BOB was a good thing, a vision of what computer use will be when computational speed catches up to Vision delivery.  But Windows 8 needs to continue the initiative to offer the Windows implementer more, starting with a full de-coupling of interface with the core workstation, same as with the server.  From there, give us better tools and documentation for creating interfaces that make Windows even more compelling.

I may be over-interpreting what's been done with Windows 8.  I've also got decades experience seeing Microsoft deliver on the smallest user requests.  Hold onto your hats!  The ride is likely to get bumpy!

jt

P.S.  I am salivating at the opportunities we might have once we can combine the OS tailoring of WinEmbedded with a customized interface that extends the Metro experiences.

P.P.S.  Today is Veteran's Day for many of the Nations once fighting World War One.  Take a moment today to remember past and current Veterans, maybe take one out to lunch.

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Better Windows 8 news for Microsoft

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Microsoft has claimed that upgrades to its new Windows 8operating system are outpacing those achieved byWindows 7 in its first month on sale.

Amid reports of slow adoption and a lukewarm response from consumers, Microsoft claimed Tuesday that 40 million Windows 8 licenses have now been sold since the OS went on sale on Oct. 26.

Speaking at the Credit Suisse 2012 Annual Technology Conference, Tami Reller, chief marketing officer and chief financial officer for Windows, said this was just the start for Windows 8.

"The journey is just beginning, but I am pleased to announce today that we have sold 40 million Windows 8 licenses so far," she said.

Better news

In a post on the official Windows 8 blog, Microsoft's communications manager Brandon LeBlanc said early adoptions have been assisted by the easy upgrade process and Windows 8's compatibility with existing Windows 7 PCs.

"Windows 8 is outpacing Windows 7 in terms of upgrades," he wrote. "We built Windows 8 to work great on existing Windows 7 PCs. And we also set out to make upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 8 super easy."

The two pieces of positive news to emerge from Microsoft's Redmond base gives the company an opportunity to put a much-needed positive spin on the Windows 8 launch.

Despite widespread critical acclaim for its new approach, recent reports have suggested than less than one per cent of all PCs are currently running Windows 8.

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OneNote MX is just one of the handy Windows 8 apps available for free

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Windows 8 has many interesting new features, but the most important has to be the Store.

It's now easy to enhance your PC with a host of powerful apps - games, multimedia, tools, productivity and more - and these can then automatically be installed on all your other Windows 8 systems in a click or two.

You'll have to find them first, of course, which is something of a challenge, since the Windows Store now has thousands of apps competing for your attention.

But don't worry, we've been scouring the latest releases for the hidden gems, so if you'd like to save time and jump straight to the Store highlights then read on for our guide to the best Windows 8 apps currently available.

1. Metro Commander

One immediate advantage of the Store is it makes it very easy for developers to plug whatever gaps Microsoft might leave. So don't waste time wondering why Microsoft hasn't provided a file manager for the Start Screen, for instance - just install Metro Commander, instead.

The program provides a dual-pane interface on your files and folders, provides easy access to all the usual core functions - View, Rename, Copy, More, New Folder, New File and more - and offers integrated SkyDrive support, too.

Explorer remains far more powerful, of course, but if you need something simple and more touch-friendly, then Metro Commander should do the job.

2. musiXmatch Lyrics

Another advantage of the Store is it means PC software isn't isolated any more, somehow apart from your other devices. If you use the musiXmatch Lyrics app on your iPhone, iPad or Android device, for instance, then good news: it's now free to use on your Windows 8 system, too.

If you're new to musiXmatch, the app makes it easy to locate the lyrics for just about anything in your music collection. And we really do mean anything - the database now holds lyrics for around 6 million songs.

But if you're just feeling bored, you can alternatively browse the latest US and UK hits, listen to them, and watch the videos via YouTube.

3. Reversi Free

This fun version of the classic strategy game Othello is simple, straightforward and easy to use, yet still has more than enough power to keep you entertained for many hours.

And so there are three difficulty levels, for instance. You can go first, or second. And while the AI won't be too challenging if you're skilled at Reversi, if you get tired of the computer then there's an option to engage a human opponent, instead.

All this is presented in an appealing interface, nicely designed to look as though it's pencil-drawn. And this even extends to the sound of a pencil shading in pieces as they change colour (surprisingly, we didn't find this annoying, although if you do then you can turn it off). No bells and whistles, then - just the gaming basics done very well indeed, and that's fine with us.

4. Norton Satellite

Easy integration with online services such as Facebook is a plus point for Windows 8 - but you need to keep an eye on your security. And the free Norton Satellite can help.

The program uses apps to scan your Facebook links and Dropbox files, for instance, alerting you to threats before they have a chance to infect you. And if your worries lie elsewhere, then Satellite can scan particular files or folders on demand.

You don't get real-time protection for your whole system here, and so Satellite is no substitute for a full-strength antivirus package. It's simple, lightweight and easy to use, though, and will add a welcome extra layer of security to any Windows 8 system.

5. TuneIn Radio

Internet radio has always been a great way to keep yourself entertained, and TuneIn Radio shows off the technology with real style.

The app's huge database (more than 70,000 stations) means you're sure to find something you like, for instance. You can browse by music, sport, news, comedy, chat, language, country, or even just find a local station (assuming you've enabled the app to access to your location).

The program can also maintain a list of your favourite stations, for easy access later. Or you can even pin some to your Start Screen, so you can begin listening at any time with a click.

6. Fractal Photographer

The app is perfect for tablets, its multi-touch support enabling you to zoom in or rotate to get the best possible view. But the authors haven't forgotten mouse users, either: you can click to move focus, scroll the mouse wheel to zoom in and out, and everything works just as you'd expect.If you've not come across the Mandelbrot Set before, then Fractal Photographer makes an excellent first guide, slowly revealing the fascinating infinity of gorgeous fractal patterns.

The program can also use multiple colour schemes to create new effects. If you find a particularly interesting point then you can bookmark it for easy access later. And a Save option enables you to save HD versions of your best patterns, ready to be shared with others.

7. Multimedia 8

If you're missing Windows Media Centre, then fear not, the Store does have some interesting alternatives - and Multimedia 8 is one of the best.

The program makes it easy to browse your music, video and playlists, for instance. In a click (or a touch) you can access files on a media server, or the web.

And a host of bonus features includes 3D video support; the ability to convert videos to MP4 or WMV; playlist creation, DLNA media streaming, subtitle support (SRT/ WebVTT), video stabilisation, video and audio capture, and more.

8. News Bento

Whatever your view on the introduction of the Windows 8 Modern interface is, there's no doubt that its apps can look fantastic, and News Bento is a perfect example.

Launch the app and a group of tiles show you constantly-updating news photos and headlines from top US sites. A host of others are available via the "more news" link, and Google Reader support combined with RSS search provides easy access to your other online favourites.

Choose a source and story summaries are neatly displayed in various panels. And most conveniently, clicking any of these (for the sources bundled with the program, anyway) displays its content within the app, so there's no irritating switching to and from an external browser.

9. Free Books

In Depth

Which cloud services are right for you?

There's more to ebooks than Amazon and Kindle: no, really. And by way of evidence, look no further than Free Books. This attractive app offers more than 23,000 free books (mostly old classics), neatly organised by category and author, with an interesting selection of "Featured" books if you just want to browse.

Double-click any book to download it to your library. Double-click again to read it; tap right or left to turn the appropriate page; and of course the app remembers your current page, so if you leave it and come back later then you'll be able to carry on where you left off.

Some people may feel the app is a little too basic, and it would certainly benefit from settings to adjust text size, colours and so on. The simplicity does mean Free Books is very simple to use, though, and on balance it'll be a great addition to most systems.

10. Dredd vs Zombies

Mega-City One is in terrible danger of a zombie invasion. And even though this game has been a hit with iOS and Android users, they still haven't saved the day - which means that now it's your turn.

After equipping yourself for the battle ahead (there's your trusty Lawgiver pistol, assorted other weapons, body armour and more) this fast-paced top-down shooter throws you into 30 levels of hectic, challenging combat.

This isn't really a game for PCs, unfortunately - the mouse interface is relatively poor, making it hard to recommend for a conventional desktop. But on a tablet (or anything else with a touch interface) Dredd vs Zombiesproves to be an entertaining game that offers plenty of zombie-killing fun.

11. OneNote MX

Microsoft's excellent freeform notetaking app makes it easy to build documents from photos, (handwritten or typed) text notes, pictures, drawings, audio files and more.

The ability to tag items on the page adds a little flexibility. Add "To Do" tags, say, and your items will gain checkboxes that you can click when they're complete. You can create multiple notebooks, each with as many pages as you need, then save them to the cloud for access from any of your devices (or perhaps to collaborate on with others).

And of course the program works with Windows 8 Search, making it easy to find the note you need. Even if it was written on a PC, and you're now on your mobile device.

12. WeatherBug

Launch this comprehensive weather app and you'll immediately gain access to detailed information on your current weather conditions, as well as what's coming your way in the next few days.

A powerful Maps module gives you the big picture, with satellite imagery, humidity, temperature, pressure, wind speed and more. Live Tile support keeps you informed about conditions from your very own Start Screen, and you can also have WeatherBug raise a custom notification to warn you about rain, snow, fog, freezing temperature and more.

On the down side, the ads can be annoying, and we had some issues animating the radar maps. But this is still a very powerful and configurable weather app.

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Happy Saturday! Before I start this week's topic, I like to apologize to all of you for last week's discussion topic over "Are today's hard drives simply just junk?" It was a great topic that got a lot people talking. However, the discussion quickly got out of hand and became inundated with members posting their e-mail addresses in the thread requesting the enterprise white papers from member Rabear2010. This is my fault; I should've kept a closer eye on it. Since then I have done my best to clean up the discussion, where I removed/edited 100+ posts with people e-mail addresses and also updated member Rabear2010's original post to include the link to the Enterprise-class versus Desktop-class hard drives PDF. I also added a link to his follow-up post. With the discussion cleaned up, I hope it will make your reading of the discussion a bit easier. In addition to this, I also want to point out that for many of you it was the first time posting in our forums (which is fantastic). And along with that I want to suggest a tip for posting in our forum or any public online space: it's never a good idea to post your e-mail address or any personal information online. It is for your safety and I'm sure no one here needs more junk mail in their inboxes. Again, I apologize for this. Now on to this week's topic from member Norman: Is Microsoft Defender good enough to protect my Windows 8 computer? First a quick note to avoid any confusion between Microsoft Security Essential and Windows Defender. Microsoft's Web site notes that "In Windows 8 and Windows RT, Windows Defender provides the same level of protection against malware as Microsoft Security Essentials. You can't use Microsoft Security Essentials with Windows 8 or Windows RT, but you don't need to -- Windows Defender is already included and ready to go." So essentially (no pun intended), Defender is what they are calling it in Windows 8 and is a replacement for MSE. With many folks out there moving on to Windows 8, you can bet this will be a popular question. By default Windows 8 comes bundled with Microsoft Defender, but is it good enough protection? Well, from reading the answers provided by your fellow members, there really is no verdict yet. Many say they swear by it, giving it the thumbs up, whereas others say they prefer other security apps, and some think it just not good enough. However, regardless of which wins the debate, I would have to say that having something to protect your PC is better than having nothing. And when it boils down to choosing a security application to protect your system, regardless of which company makes it, there is not one security utility that is 100 percent foolproof no matter how high it is rated. And as member waytron pointed out in his reply, to decrease your chances of getting infected altogether, the best protection is a combination of using a trustworthy security app along with your own due diligence, not visiting certain sites, carelessly clicking on links, opening e-mails without thinking, and so on. I have to agree; check out his checklist. With that said, please give all your fellow members' answers a read, and if you are currently using Windows 8 along with Defender, please share your experience with us! Thanks for your time. Happy safe surfing!

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