Windows 10: With Good Antivirus, Is It Still Safe to Use Windows 10 After Support Ends?

So Windows 10 is losing security updates later this year, but I’m wondering—if I have a solid antivirus, is it still okay to keep using it? My laptop’s pretty old and probably won’t run Windows 11 very well. Back in the day, I used XP for a few years after support ended, and I didn’t really have any major issues. I’m usually careful with what I download or click on, and I’d definitely make sure to keep good antivirus software running. I’m not super tech-savvy, so I’m just trying to understand—am I taking a big risk by staying on Windows 10, or is it more or less fine if I’m cautious? Apprec

:)

 

Good Antivirus + Firewall

I would never put anything Norton on my computer.

Nod32 is arguably the best antivirus. AVG is likely not as good, but it's free and at least pretty good.

Firewalls, I'd put Comodo and whatever "Tiny Personal Firewall" is named nowadays on your short list. I think Kerio might have sold it now and it's named something else. Otherwise, just put Comodo on your short list. I think the current version's ease of use has taken a step backwards, seems a bit counter-intuitive when trying to do certain things with it, but overall it does a good job and the price is right.

 

Will paid antivirus be enough when Win10 support ends?

Yes. There are no separate Windows 10, Windows 11 Defender definition update downloads in latest definitions - download lists page

so the definition updates are identical. Denis

 

Good Antivirus

Depends on a lot of things...

Suggestion to read

• Choosing an Anti-Virus Program
• Safe Steps for Replacing your Anti-virus - Why should you use Antivirus
  software?
• Supplementing your Anti-Virus Program with Anti-Malware Tools
• Best Practices for Safe Computing - Prevention of Malware Infection