Advanced Plus Security Gandalf_The_Grey's PC Security Config

Current configurationWindows 11
Version 2Updated
131 replies
Only essential issues, pleaseWhat changed
Staff assessment Advanced Plus Security

harlan4096 ·

Device & operating system

, 4 answers
Operating system
Windows 11
OS version and support details
Pro (26H2)
Main use of this computer
For home and private use
Usage and exposure
Visiting familiar websites, Visiting unknown or untrusted websites, Making audio/video calls, Opening email attachments, Online shopping and card payments, Logging into my bank account, Downloading software and files from reputable sites, Streaming audio/video content from trusted sites or paid subscriptions

Protection & updates

, 14 answers
Real-time protection
Microsoft Defender Antivirus
Device firewall
Microsoft Defender Firewall
On-device encryption
Windows BitLocker / Device Encryption
Device sign-in security
Windows Hello PIN or biometric sign-in (face / fingerprint / Touch ID)
Security updates
Allow security updates and latest features
Update channels
Allow stable updates only
User Account Control (UAC)
Always notify
Smart App Control
On
Network firewall
Enabled
Router and network details
Ziggo SmartWifi modem by Sagemcom
Custom security settings
DefenderHardeningSuite with Hardening, ASR/CFA Audit preset and 1 week learning phase
Periodic malware scanners
HitmanPro
Malware sample testing
I do not participate in malware testing
Environment for malware testing
None

Browsing, accounts & privacy

, 5 answers
Browsers and extensions
Microsoft Edge with uBlock Origin Lite, Consent-O-Matic, Bitwarden, Osprey as extensions
Secure DNS
From my ISP (Ziggo)
Desktop VPN
AdGuard VPN
Password and passkey manager
Bitwarden browser extension
Two-factor authentication
Microsoft Authenticator

Backup & recovery

, 2 answers
File and photo backups
Windows Backup, OneDrive with Microsoft 365 ransomware protection (always on sync)
System recovery
Windows system image

Apps, specs & notes

, 5 answers
Maintenance tools
Maintenance tools: BleachBit, Disk Cleanup, Optimize Drives, Autoruns.
Update tools: UCheck , Driver Easy.
Subscriptions
Microsoft 365 Family (up to 1 TB per person)
Computer specs
Notable changes
2022.01.01 new config for the new year.
2022.01.31 removed Bitsum Process Lasso, Samsung Magician. Switched from DefenderUI Free and VoodooShield to the all-in-one DefenderUI Pro.
2022.02.12 back to Ziggo Safe Online by F-Secure
2022.02.16 added Quad9 secure DNS
2022.03.22 have to use Adobe Reader for work, removed KVRT.
2022.04.09 trying the AdGuard extension instead of uBlock Origin
2022.04.10 back to uBlock Origin
2022.05.01 removed Ziggo Safe Online, back to Microsoft Defender and installed Kerish Doctor
2022.05.04 installed the latest VoodooShield
2022.05.13 installed fs protection by F-Secure 18.4 beta 2
2022.05.20 back to Microsoft Defender Antivirus and Andy's tools
2022.05.23 changed from ConfigureDefender to DefenderUI
2022.06.07 back to fs protection and VoodooShield
2022.07.18 back to Microsoft Defender Antivirus with DefenderUI and VoodooShield
2022.08.14 reset of Windows 11 and added (back) Simple Windows Hardening
2022.08.31 small changes because of my new laptop
2022.09.06 went from uBlock Origin to AdGuard
2022.09.12 up to date with the latest changes in this form
2022.09.26 back to FS Protection
2022.10.23 reset of Windows 11 22H2 and using Microsoft Defender with ConfigureDefender on high
2022.12.12 filled the new fields and Smart App Control has turned itself off.
2023.01.01 back to FS Protection and running a trial of NoVirusThanks SysHardener
2023.01.29 removed NoVirusThanks SysHardener and switched from AdGuard MV3 to uBlock Origin
2023.03.20 back to Windows buit-in protection configured by Hard_Configurator
2023.03.15 back to Simple Windows Hardening
2023.05.19 up to date with the May 2023 Update of this form
2023.07.05 back to FS Protection
2023.08.17 testing Windows Hybrid Hardening
2024.02.02 using Windows Hybrid Hardening Light an added the I don't care about cookies extension
2024.04.20 removed I don't care about cookies and Bitdefender TrafficLight
2024.04.20 removed McAfee WebAdvisor
2024.04.24 changed from uBlock Origin to AdGuard
2024.06.19 added DefenderUI and switched from AdGuard to uBlock Origin Lite
2024.07.12 changed to Hard_Configurator and the AdGuard extension.
2024.10.20 Smart App Control on and uBlock Origin Lite and McAfee WebAdvisor as extensions.
2025.10.19 App Control Off, due to problems with shortcuts and got Windows 11 25H2.
2026.10.01 Trying the DefenderHardeningSuite and config up to date
Feedback preference
Only essential issues, please
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Shared by the member. This is a configuration record, not a device scan.

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Older thread fields from Jan 1, 2022 (not current) · expand details
Thread details
Last updated
Oct 19, 2025
Main use of this computer
For home and private use
Operating system
Windows 11
On-device encryption
Windows BitLocker / Device Encryption
Device sign-in security
    • Windows Hello PIN or biometric sign-in (face / fingerprint / Touch ID)
Security updates
Allow security updates and latest features
Update channels
Allow stable updates only
User Account Control (UAC)
Always notify
Smart App Control
Off
Network firewall
Enabled
Router and network details
Ziggo SmartWifi modem by Sagemcom with Safe Online Netwerk and Safe Online Modem activated
Real-time protection
Microsoft Defender Antivirus
Device firewall
Microsoft Defender Firewall
Custom security settings
Periodic malware scanners
Norton Power Eraser and Sophos Scan & Clean
Malware sample testing
I do not participate in malware testing
Environment for malware testing
None
Browsers and extensions
Microsoft Edge with uBlock Origin Lite, Consent-O-Matic, Bitwarden, Osprey as extensions
Secure DNS
From my ISP (Ziggo)
Desktop VPN
AdGuard VPN
Password and passkey manager
Bitwarden browser extension
Two-factor authentication
Microsoft Authenticator
Maintenance tools
Maintenance tools: BleachBit, Disk Cleanup, Optimize Drives, Autoruns.
Update tools: UCheck , Driver Easy.
File and photo backups
Windows Backup, OneDrive with Microsoft 365 ransomware protection (always on sync)
Subscriptions
    • Microsoft 365 Family (up to 1 TB per person)
System recovery
Windows system image
Usage and exposure
    • Visiting familiar websites
    • Visiting unknown or untrusted websites
    • Making audio/video calls
    • Opening email attachments
    • Online shopping and card payments
    • Logging into my bank account
    • Downloading software and files from reputable sites
    • Streaming audio/video content from trusted sites or paid subscriptions
Computer specs
Notable changes
2022.01.01 new config for the new year.
2022.01.31 removed Bitsum Process Lasso, Samsung Magician. Switched from DefenderUI Free and VoodooShield to the all-in-one DefenderUI Pro.
2022.02.12 back to Ziggo Safe Online by F-Secure
2022.02.16 added Quad9 secure DNS
2022.03.22 have to use Adobe Reader for work, removed KVRT.
2022.04.09 trying the AdGuard extension instead of uBlock Origin
2022.04.10 back to uBlock Origin
2022.05.01 removed Ziggo Safe Online, back to Microsoft Defender and installed Kerish Doctor
2022.05.04 installed the latest VoodooShield
2022.05.13 installed fs protection by F-Secure 18.4 beta 2
2022.05.20 back to Microsoft Defender Antivirus and Andy's tools
2022.05.23 changed from ConfigureDefender to DefenderUI
2022.06.07 back to fs protection and VoodooShield
2022.07.18 back to Microsoft Defender Antivirus with DefenderUI and VoodooShield
2022.08.14 reset of Windows 11 and added (back) Simple Windows Hardening
2022.08.31 small changes because of my new laptop
2022.09.06 went from uBlock Origin to AdGuard
2022.09.12 up to date with the latest changes in this form
2022.09.26 back to FS Protection
2022.10.23 reset of Windows 11 22H2 and using Microsoft Defender with ConfigureDefender on high
2022.12.12 filled the new fields and Smart App Control has turned itself off.
2023.01.01 back to FS Protection and running a trial of NoVirusThanks SysHardener
2023.01.29 removed NoVirusThanks SysHardener and switched from AdGuard MV3 to uBlock Origin
2023.03.20 back to Windows buit-in protection configured by Hard_Configurator
2023.03.15 back to Simple Windows Hardening
2023.05.19 up to date with the May 2023 Update of this form
2023.07.05 back to FS Protection
2023.08.17 testing Windows Hybrid Hardening
2024.02.02 using Windows Hybrid Hardening Light an added the I don't care about cookies extension
2024.04.20 removed I don't care about cookies and Bitdefender TrafficLight
2024.04.20 removed McAfee WebAdvisor
2024.04.24 changed from uBlock Origin to AdGuard
2024.06.19 added DefenderUI and switched from AdGuard to uBlock Origin Lite
2024.07.12 changed to Hard_Configurator and the AdGuard extension.
2024.10.20 Smart App Control on and uBlock Origin Lite and McAfee WebAdvisor as extensions.
2025.10.19 App Control Off, due to problems with shortcuts and got Windows 11 25H2.
Feedback preference

Only essential issues, please

From the setup owner View current setup
Nope. Using a older version of CCleaner also create this issue.

I installed Opera latest stable version. Same thing happened there as in Edge. But just as with Edge, it's easy to get it back and working by simply manually disable the extension " Browsing protection " and then enable it again. Tested many times in both Edge and Opera with different banking sites. For now it's Firefox that works as it should. I'm sending the extra report probably on Monday or Tuesday. (y)
Thanks, it is a problem with all chromium-based browsers, CCleaner and F-Secure.
Disable and reenable "Allow access to file URLs" for the browsing protection extension also works.
Hope your report will speed up some troubleshooting by F-Secure (y)

As I believe not only banking protection but also https scanning is dependent on the extension and doesn't work anymore after cleaning with CCleaner.
I haven't tried any other cleaners.
 
From the setup owner View current setup
Got a reply back and they aren't able to reproduce it even with SAFE stable version 18.3. I can confirm the same as just tested again. Maybe some of the latest released extension updates for Browsing Protection fixed it? 🤷‍♂️
Strange, could be an extension, F-Secure module or even an Edge update, but I'm for sure glad that it is fixed now :unsure:
Thanks for (also) reporting it (y)
 
From the setup owner View current setup
Any problems using your printer with VS? I use an Epson.
No, I use an HP now, but when I used an Epson, I used the training mode when printing and scanning for the first time.
Any blocks you should mail to Dan and he can whitelist them if necessarily.
 
Last edited:
From the setup owner View current setup
Had problems with the latest Windows Update.
Did a reset of Windows 11 with mostly the same config.
No problem with the latest Windows Update anymore (y)

Added Simple Windows Hardening, removed the Microsoft Editor extension because it crashed and didn't renew my license for Driver Easy.
 
From the setup owner View current setup
Because I bought a new laptop I redid my security configuration.
Main changes are this laptop has a Trusted Platform Module so after upgrading from Windows 11 Home to Pro BitLocker is automatically enabled.
And I went form DefenderUI + VoodooShield + Simple Windows Hardening to just DefenderUI Pro.
 
From the setup owner View current setup
Went from uBlock Origin to the AdGuard (stable) extension because AdGuard is working on a manifest V3 complaint extension.
First impressions:
Tried the AdGuard MV3 Browser extension myself.
Despite the limitations of Manifest V3, AdGuard MV3 still protects against ads and tracking quite well:
  • Blocks requests to trackers proactively
  • Hides banners, social widgets and other annoying elements
  • Blocks adverts on video sharing platforms, including YouTube
Can't update the filters, can't see ant logs, but it works.
It's work in progress...
At least there is hope for a good adblocking extension that is manifest v3 compliant.
By releasing an extension built with Manifest V3 today — first among developers of ad blockers – we can say that we've met the challenge that Google posed to us. There is still a lot of work to be done, but we can already claim that even after the discontinuation of Manifest V2, Google Chrome users will be able to protect themselves from ads and trackers with the AdGuard Browser Extension.
I'm not worried anymore.
 
From the setup owner View current setup
Incredibly, I really like your setup 🙂 it seems to me something "less is more", I like that idea.

I am only in doubt between Microsoft Defender or F-secure (I have a valid license of Safe)

Another doubt regarding F-Secure is that it has no password to protect the software settings, so in this case, I would have to format my machine and use the user as a user with "common" privileges.

I am tired of the sameness and always having bloated software or performance problems.

I am a student and software developer and tired of configuring AV's, I would like something more automated and clean, maybe that is why I am in doubt between F-Secure and SysHardener+OSarmor for example.

I like your configuration a lot 👏🏻👏🏻
 

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