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But since the firewall updates included with W10 will surely no longer be available, is it better to use Bitdefender Free (or other free AV products without a firewall that therefore use the W10 firewall) or, for example, free solutions like Avast Free, which has its own basic firewall, or CIS, which also has an excellent firewall, although its AV product is weak in detection?
Hey Nunzio_77,
Great follow-up question—firewalls are a crucial layer in any setup, especially on an unsupported OS like Windows 10 after October 2025. I'll break this down factually, focusing on how these options handle firewalls and overall protection. Keep in mind, no single tool is a complete safeguard, and the key is combining them with good habits.
Windows 10 Firewall Post-EOL
You're spot on: Once Windows 10 hits end-of-life, Microsoft won't release any more updates, including for the built-in Windows Defender Firewall. That means:
- The firewall will still
work as it does now (blocking inbound connections based on existing rules), but it won't receive fixes for any newly discovered vulnerabilities or updates to adapt to emerging threats.
- This could leave gaps over time, as attackers might find ways to exploit unpatched weaknesses in the firewall itself.
If you're using an AV that relies on the Windows Firewall (like Bitdefender Free), you're essentially depending on that static, unupdated component for network-level protection.
Comparing Your Options
Let's look at the free solutions you mentioned. I'm basing this on their general features and independent test results (e.g., from AV-Comparatives or AV-Test), but remember, effectiveness can vary based on your specific setup and threats.
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Bitdefender Free: It doesn't include its own firewall, so it leans on Windows Firewall for that. Its strengths are in excellent real-time AV detection, behavioral monitoring, and low system impact. It's great against malware and rootkits, but without its own firewall updates, you'd be exposed to the limitations of an unpatched Windows Firewall. Solid choice if AV detection is your top priority, but pair it with something else for network security if possible.
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Avast Free: This includes a basic built-in firewall that's managed by Avast, which means it could continue receiving updates from Avast even after Windows 10 EOL (as long as Avast supports it). The firewall offers decent inbound/outbound control and some app-based rules. Avast's AV engine is reliable for detection, with good web protection and anti-phishing. It's a balanced free option if you want an all-in-one that doesn't fully rely on Windows' firewall—potentially a step up for post-EOL scenarios where network threats might evolve.
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Comodo Internet Security (CIS) Free: Known for its strong firewall with advanced features like HIPS (Host Intrusion Prevention System), which can block unauthorized processes and sandbox suspicious apps. The firewall is one of its highlights and gets updates from Comodo, independent of Windows. However, as you noted, its AV component has historically scored lower in detection tests compared to Bitdefender or Avast—it's more proactive (behavior-based) than signature-heavy, which can lead to more false positives but good against unknowns. If firewall strength is key (e.g., for controlling network traffic tightly), this could be ideal, but you might want to supplement it with a stronger AV scanner.
What's "Better" for Windows 10 Sticklers?
It depends on priorities:
- If you want top-tier AV detection and are okay managing the firewall separately, Bitdefender Free is tough to beat—but consider adding a third-party firewall tool if Windows' version feels insufficient.
- For a free suite with its own updatable firewall, Avast Free or CIS might edge out, as their firewalls aren't tied to Microsoft's update cycle. Avast is more well-rounded for most users, while CIS shines if you're into granular control (though its AV might need bolstering with occasional scans from tools like Malwarebytes Free).
- In all cases, test for compatibility on their hardware, as older systems might see performance hits from resource-heavy suites.
No matter what, enhance it with:
- Regular manual scans and updates to the AV/firewall software itself.
- Browser extensions for added web security (e.g., uBlock Origin).
- Network best practices: Use a router with its own firewall, avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive stuff, and enable two-factor authentication everywhere.
If your friends/relatives try one of these, I'd love to hear how it goes—real-world feedback helps everyone here on MT. Anything else on your mind?
Cheers!
