Windows 11

[pjgtech]

As above, Currys are only interested in selling you more gear, not giving you good advice! Avoid.
And also as above, Norton is the Devils spawn! it will take over your pc and slow it down and tell you your pc has got loads of "issues" even when there are none. Uninstall it as above. Personally I then go into regedit and manually uninstall anything else left, but that might be a bit technical for you by the sound of it.

Windows has its onw built in anti virus, not perfect but it works, so you don't need to pay for one. Plus there are many free anti virus programs also.

Having loads of cookies is generally not an issue, they are left behind when you have browsed a website, and they mount up over time, but on there own should not cause issues. You can set your browser to delete them after every session, but again can get a bit technical.

Do you not have any relatives, neighbours, etc who could help you out with the pc?

One of my old laptops is over 10 years old and still works fine. You don't need to buy a new one every year or couple of years.
Chromebook advice is good, but, they can sometimes need a little bit of technical knowhow, as they are not the same as a pc/laptop and work slightly differently. I had one a few years back, handy bit of kit.

Although windows/microsoft can be a pain, they are pretty much the universal standard still, relatively eays to use, and compatible with most things.
Better the devil you know and all that.....

Cheers

[Tim Marlow]

Chris, have you got a local library anywhere near you? They usually run IT courses for us older blokes and may well be able to put you in contact with someone that can help? If you have a local “men’s shed” group they may be able to help as well.

Not had any problems with Norton myself, but though not being by any means an expert, I do know my way around a bit so always go into the Norton account and switch off the auto renewal option as soon as I buy a new subscription. Usually it’s around eleven quid to renew if you just buy a new one every year. The issues report is, in effect, an advert for their utilities software.

[pjgtech]

Was a bit of an IT geek a few years back, used to build and customise my own gaming pc's, etc.
Have always hated Norton, had it once, never again. If you ever try to uninstall it (properly), thats a few hours you will never get back!
It imbeds itself so far into your system it is hellish to get rid of. Simply selecting uninstall does not get rid of it, it leaves loads of stuff behind.
And its no better at detecting virus/etc than most other programs, including Microsofts free one.

[Tim Marlow]

Was a bit of an IT geek a few years back, used to build and customise my own gaming pc's, etc.
Have always hated Norton, had it once, never again. If you ever try to uninstall it (properly), thats a few hours you will never get back!
It imbeds itself so far into your system it is hellish to get rid of. Simply selecting uninstall does not get rid of it, it leaves loads of stuff behind.
And its no better at detecting virus/etc than most other programs, including Microsofts free one.

That was the issue I had with McAffee. Slowed the PC to a snails pace and took an age to get it gone. I’ve used Norton for about ten years with no issues. Had Kaspersky for a little while, and that was OK, but dropped that when the Russian links became apparent. Don’t actually think there is any software without issues these days. I have built PCs, but not for a good twenty years, so just wouldn’t know where to start now. Not even sure I could swap out hard drives or memory chips any more.

[pjgtech]

Yep TBH they are all much over muchness, even the "free" ones, Avast, AVG, Malwarebytes, etc will all try to get into your wallet after a while and push their own paid for products. As I say the built in windows one is as good as any, main trick is to just keep away from dodgy sites....
8-)

[Tim Marlow]

Yep TBH they are all much over muchness, even the "free" ones, Avast, AVG, Malwarebytes, etc will all try to get into your wallet after a while and push their own paid for products. As I say the built in windows one is as good as any, main trick is to just keep away from dodgy sites....
8-)

Yep, and not open unknown attachments….

[LeytonO]

I got Malwarebytes Pro free with my bank, but the have stopped it now.
Paid about a tenner for two years more cover, always found it quite good at rooting out dodgy websites and threats.

[stillp]

I got Malwarebytes Pro free with my bank, but the have stopped it now.
Paid about a tenner for two years more cover, always found it quite good at rooting out dodgy websites and threats.

I find it can sometimes be a bit over-enthusiastic, blocking some perfectly valid sites.
Pete

[LeytonO]

That is very true Pete and can sometimes be a nuisance
Rich

[boatman]

HI ALL again well ive read through all that you guys have said MANY THANKS ALL an im lost goin into settins an such as im scared i will bugger the p/c up then i will not be able to talk to all you guys so i think i will leave things as they are as i think this will be my last year usein this laptop an then i will be offline an if i start to muck around with it i'll get streessed an then jen will tell me off as then i wont be able to buy her anything she wants off ebay so for a quiet life i'll leave things how they are sorry guys for wasteing your time on me writein out all your answers which is greatly appreciated an no ive not got any family or freinds who are good on these puters im on my own i use to have a neiber who use to help me if i had a problem but he an us have all moved away from each other so only help i can get is currys an hope they will deal with me fairly as they are so much better than hues
ATB GUYS TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP
chrisb