In
this part of Windows 8, we will be looking at the latest security additions and what’s new in the two most popular built-in programs, Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer.
Virus protection built-in
Windows Defender is already included with Windows Vista and higher which gives you some protection against the most obvious viruses but it’s recommended that you get a proper virus protection like Microsoft Security Essentials. Although, with Windows 8, they’ve reinvented the Windows Defender and made it as good or even better than Microsoft Security Essentials. If you haven’t tried MSSE or MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) you should try it. Ever since I had it in Windows 7 I never got a virus ever again and before I had it I had AVG which, to be honest, didn’t seem to work at all!
It also is automatic meaning that it never annoys you when you least want it to and only alerts you when it detects a virus/malware on your PC asking what you want to do with it (directly from the flag icon in the taskbar on the bottom right called “Action Center” (Action Center is also included in Windows 7)
Secure Boot
The secure boot is a feature to prevent malware and other unwanted software from booting up on your PC. It’s not exactly easy to explain so I’ve got the official image explaining it on the right if you want to know how it works. (Click it for a bigger version)
Internet Explorer 10
Internet Explorer 10 (or IE10) is the fastest and best IE yet! Unlike IE8 or older, poorer IE versions, IE10 has some big changes because it uses your whole PC to load a webpage making it load a lot faster, has a much more attractive UI (user interface) and works with all the new stuff (HTML5, CSS3, etc…) It’s included in Windows 8 too and trust me, it’s worth trying at least for a week because you WILL notice it’s faster than other browsers – especially Chrome.
Difference between IE10 and IE9:
| Test/Browser | IE9 | IE10 |
| Included with Windows? | No, IE9 is available for download with Windows Vista or 7 but is not included with the two OS’. | Yes and no. Yes it’s included with Windows 8, no it’s not included with Windows 7 but will be available for download. |
| What does it work on? | Windows Vista & 7 | Windows 7 & 8 |
| Compatibility | Works with most modern sites | Currently works with all modern sites |
| Dev. Preview, beta, RC or final? | Final | Dev. Preview |
Windows Explorer
The first thing you’ll notice when you open up Windows Explorer (file browser) is the brand new ribbon as seen in Microsoft Office 2010 and similar to the one in Microsoft Office 2007.
You can also minimize or maximize the ribbon by clicking the arrow on the top right next to the help icon. I personally don’t like it much, but I’ve found it quite useful at times and disabling it also disables the Metro Start menu and the new task manager. The one above is with the ribbon maximized and the one below is the ribbon minimized (I prefer minimized because it uses less space and makes it look more simple to use).
The ribbon does NOT include add new features to the Windows Explorer yet… Just a new design.
Compatibility
EVERYTHING I’ve troughed that claims it works with Windows XP, Vista or 7 all work perfectly in Windows 8! Only one thing I tried didn’t work so I tried compatibility mode on it and it worked!
In other words: It works with anything made for Windows XP or higher.
Paint-Ninja
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