- May 10, 2019
- 2,289
oldschool's surfing laptop configuration
- Thread starter oldschool
- Start date
- Jan 21, 2018
- 814
Yep, I'd used F-Secure for a few years and really liked it, then last summer when the license expired I decided to see how things went with using Defender. Late last year I started getting itchy feet/developed uncertainties about relying on MS for security (not based on anything in particular, just a long time lack of complete trust of MS). So I went on that same Scandinavian bus ride and installed F-Secure SAFE on this machine and did a detour to add BitDefender Total Security on another similar one. I like both so far, but F-Secure is winning out because it seems to be a bit lighter, surfing hardly seems to be affected by the AV at all. I agree with you, these Upnorth and Shadowra charecters seem to know what they're talking about, thank you my knowledgeable MT friends.Just for kicks, I'm on the bus to Finland, trialing F-Secure based on all the comments, tests by @upnorth,@Shadowra and others. Extremely easy install, low memory usage, fast web surfing and good for my 8GB RAM 8th Gen Intel i3 laptop.I especially like how easy they make installation of the web extension. Really good for noobs and non-technical, average users. So for now, F-Secure gets the @oldschool simplicity seal of approval.
- Nov 10, 2017
- 3,250
Oh noo it looks like you break @upnorth 's heart that's a bit rude bring FS back now /s
- Mar 29, 2018
- 7,600
New year, new start with a refreshed Windows. SAC is now in evaluation mode.
- Apr 19, 2017
- 249
Let me guess the result, it'll be turn off in less than 1 day because some legit apps are not signed. I tried twice, doesn't work for me.
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Refreshed is new install or using the Windows reset option?
Be aware: Once SAC you will never go BACK
it will reduce you MT-experience to changing browsers and extensions onlyDepends, how you are using your PC. I am running ELAM+MAX+WDAC+SRP since 2019 without a problem (I have probably the most restricted PC-config on MT).
Also when playing with ISG I noticed that an unsigned app was first blocked and within 30 minutes allowed by WDAC-ISG (ISG now shares the cloud whitelist backbone of Smartscreen and SAC). Just give it half a year to mature and collect all legit exotic unsigned apps
- Mar 29, 2018
- 7,600
Still on, less than a day.
Windows reset.
Be aware: Once SAC you will never go BACK
Indeed, I'm aware.I have Cleanmem installed, and it's not signed, but it's from 2012. The way it was designed, it should never need updating, as it only interacts with Windows native memory controller.
So, the verdict is out - for now.
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- Mar 29, 2018
- 7,600
I encountered something of a known issue with Windows "Standard hardware security not supported" message and later, the Device Security "page not available'.
Windows 11 22H2 build 22621 bug shows "hardware security not supported" on supported PCs
After investigation, I discovered that the system32 SecurityHealth folder was empty. I downloaded the appx package but was unable to fix the issue as I wasn't able to take ownership, change permissions to copy and run the appx package.
Reverted to my prior image, so no SAC for now. I don't feel like doing a clean install. Maybe manana. Maybe not.
Windows 11 22H2 build 22621 bug shows "hardware security not supported" on supported PCs
After investigation, I discovered that the system32 SecurityHealth folder was empty. I downloaded the appx package but was unable to fix the issue as I wasn't able to take ownership, change permissions to copy and run the appx package.
Reverted to my prior image, so no SAC for now. I don't feel like doing a clean install. Maybe manana. Maybe not.
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- Mar 29, 2018
- 7,600
Performed my very first clean installation of Windows. 
Unfortunately, my Windows 7 Pro license was 'lost' in the process. I had previously used it to upgrade my Lenovo with Windows 10 Home, and then to Windows 11. MS has a policy that W7 licenses can't be used directly in W11, only in W10, so I'd have to install W10 and then upgrade to W11 again - if that's even possible. 
Any members know the answer to that?
In any case, I'm now keeping a simple setup, using all built-in features with only a couple of 3rd party programs. No 3rd party UI customization, only W11 features. SAC is now in Evaluation Mode. Everything's running smooth and I didn't brick the machine.
Unfortunately, my Windows 7 Pro license was 'lost' in the process. I had previously used it to upgrade my Lenovo with Windows 10 Home, and then to Windows 11. MS has a policy that W7 licenses can't be used directly in W11, only in W10, so I'd have to install W10 and then upgrade to W11 again - if that's even possible. Any members know the answer to that?In any case, I'm now keeping a simple setup, using all built-in features with only a couple of 3rd party programs. No 3rd party UI customization, only W11 features. SAC is now in Evaluation Mode. Everything's running smooth and I didn't brick the machine.
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- Mar 29, 2018
- 7,600
Apparently, it is possible. I could re-install W10 and then upgrade to W11 and have my Windows Pro license active again.I'd have to install W10 and then upgrade to W11 again - if that's even possible.
Plus, Lenovo offers its Lenovo Digital Download Recovery Service so users can create a OEM Recovery Key. One feature I lost with the clean install was HDR video playback, so using Lenovo's recovery service I would get all the original features back again, along with the bloatware, e.g. 3 mo. McAfee Live Safe subscription.
The question is: Would any of this be worth the trouble? Any advice from others would help . Suggestions welcome.
- Nov 27, 2016
- 168
You should be able to clean install Windows 11 if you upgraded your Windows 7 to Windows 11 prior to trying to clean install Windows 11Performed my very first clean installation of Windows.
In any case, I'm now keeping a simple setup, using all built-in features with only a couple of 3rd party programs. No 3rd party UI customization, only W11 features. SAC is now in Evaluation Mode. Everything's running smooth and I didn't brick the machine.
At least that works for my pc that came with Windows 8, when I clean install Windows 11 it will not detect the Windows key during the installation process but it activates Windows 11 when I connect to internet(you may need to reboot your pc once after you connect to internet).
- Mar 29, 2018
- 7,600
Windows wouldn't accept the license after the clean install. I used my W7 Pro key on a new W10 laptop, and no problem. And no problem after upgrading to W11. The problem was after the clean install.
- Aug 19, 2019
- 1,157
One reason I'm hesitant to do a fresh install. Had similar issue with old laptop and ended up getting a OEM copy of Win 7 just to get the upgrade. Anyway, hope you get it resolved soon
- Nov 27, 2016
- 168
My pc came with Windows 8 I upgraded to Windows 10 then to Windows 11 but when I bought my SSD I did a clean install of Windows 11, it didnt detect my Windows key during the installation process so I skip the part where you can insert the Windows key then after Windows 11 finish to install I connected my pc to internet(*1) then my Windows activated automatically(I didnt need to insert my key).
*1 - You may need to reboot your pc once after you connect to internet for Windows be able to activate.
- Mar 16, 2019
- 3,862
Since you have the key, have you tried this?Performed my very first clean installation of Windows.
- Mar 29, 2018
- 7,600
No, but it appears not to apply to me. Mine is a Windows 7 key.
RedirectingI recently have a clean install of windows 11 on my computer. I have one windows 7 home basic and one windows 7 professional product key. I tried activated it with the windows 7 pro key but it didn't work, while retry with the windows 7 home basic key did activate the installation. It was strange when I could use the windows 7 pro product key to activate windows 10 last year without any problems until I replaced the hard drive and clean install windows 11 (see above). I used a third party checker and both keys are valid.
I tried many methods, such as
- slui 4: tried many workarounds to enter the activate by phone wizard, but it didn't showed anything
- slgmr.vbs returned with invalid
As far as I know Microsoft does offer activation for windows 11 with windows 7 product keys
The error when entering the windows 7 professional key:
Jaspreet.Singh_050.
Hello DucNguyen_03,
I am Jaspreet Singh an independent advisor.
You cannot directly use windows 7 key on windows 11. You will need to install windows 10 first and then activate it after that windows 11 can be installed as an upgrade onto it.
The only Pro feature I use is Group Policy, and not much else. So, what else am I missing?
- Mar 29, 2018
- 7,600
I believe MS finally closed the door on using W7 keys directly in W11. All the posts are over 1 yr old. It doesn't work for me.
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- Mar 29, 2018
- 7,600
Actually decided not to perform gymnastics to activate W7 pro license. My machine is running faster and with less memory usage than at any time in the past.
I don't really need Pro's features since I didn't use most of them, and I can use Powershell to do what little I need.
I don't really need Pro's features since I didn't use most of them, and I can use Powershell to do what little I need.
- Mar 29, 2018
- 7,600
SAC is still in evaluation mode. I'm waiting to see if or when it comes to a decision, something like the husband with a pregnant wife, anticipating the birth of their child. But not exactly.
