It’s McAfee versus Kaspersky – two titans clashing in the antivirus arena. You know the names, but which one delivers the knockout punch regarding performance and value? Let’s roll up our sleeves and get down to business. I’m putting both McAfee Total Protection and Kaspersky Total Security through the wringer on my own rig. And to keep things up and up, I’m also drawing on some rock-solid data from independent labs specializing in malware.
Here’s the outcome: McAfee wins this round. Stellar malware detection, great first-year discounts, and a robust suite of extra features like network attack prevention and a file shredder make it a top pick. Stick around to see how I arrived at this verdict.
Best McAfee deal: Save up to 72 percent
Best Kaspersky deal: Save 70 percent
About the companies
McAfee is an American company founded in 1987, 10 years before Kaspersky. During the past 30 years, McAfee has grown to more than 7,000 employees in 189 countries. Today, the company protects over 525 million consumer endpoint devices.
McAfee also has seen some controversy in its past, although this is more to do with its founder, John McAfee, than the company itself.
Kaspersky operates in 200 countries and employs 3,800 highly qualified specialists. According to the company website, Kaspersky protects over 400 million users.
Kaspersky was founded in Russia in 1997 and the company has built a strong reputation in the online security space. It must be noted that some privacy enthusiasts are wary of Kaspersky due to alleged links with the Russian government.
Summary: McAfee vs Kaspersky
McAfee
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Kaspersky
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No value | McAfee | Kaspersky |
---|---|---|
Website | mcafee.com | kaspersky.com | Antivirus and Antispyware | Firewall | Web protection/anti phishing | Password Manager | Webcam protection | Parental controls | VPN | PC Cloud Backup | Ransomware protection | Banking and Payment Protection | Network Attack Protection | Secure data encryption | Automatically update apps | File Shredder | Identity Theft Protection | Performance Optimization |
Best deal (per month) | $3.33 SAVE $80 on a 2 year plan - 5 devices | $2.49 GET 70% OFF |
McAfee vs Kaspersky pricing
At the time of writing, McAfee has three different options for its main antivirus product, McAfee Total Protection. The only difference between the three options is the number of devices protected with each plan – one, five, and ten. McAfee has recently included a VPN as standard in all McAfee total protection plans.
Kaspersky offer a free antivirus product, three paid antivirus products, plus a new Security Cloud subscription that adds extra tools.
The entry-level option is Kaspersky Anti-Virus, which is the basic antivirus software. Next up, Kaspersky Internet Security adds features like an encrypted browser for banking and webcam protection. Kaspersky Total Protection adds parental controls, a password manager and file backup. Security Cloud Includes antivirus, anti-ransomware, mobile security, password management, VPN and parental controls. Plus privacy tools, data leak detection, Home wi-fi security and payment protection.
No value | McAfee Total Protection Basic | McAfee Total Protection Plus | McAfee Total Protection Premium | McAfee Total Protection Advanced |
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Website | mcafee.com | mcafee.com | mcafee.com | mcafee.com | One year price | $29.99 | 39.99 | $49.99 | $89.99 | Renewal price | $84.99 | $109.00 | $129.99 | $179.99 |
Best deal (per month) | $2.49 $2.49/mo for the annual plan - 1 device | $3.33 SAVE $80 on a 2 year plan - 5 devices | $4.16 SAVE $85 on a 2 year plan - 10 devices | $6.24 Unlimited Devices - $6.24/mo 1yr plan |
No value | Kaspersky Security Cloud | Kaspersky Antivirus | Kaspersky Internet Security | Kaspersky Total Security | Kaspersky Security Cloud Personal |
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Website | kaspersky.com | Kaspersky.com | kaspersky.com | kaspersky.com | kaspersky.com | One year price | Free | $17.99 | $23.99 | $26.99 | $26.99 | Renewal price | N/A | $59.99 | $79.99 | $89.99 | $89.99 |
Best deal (per month) | Free Free download | $2.49 Save 70% on Antivirus solutions | $1.99 70% OFF - 1 year - 3 devices | $2.49 GET 70% OFF | $2.24 70% first year discount |
Comparing the prices of Kaspersky Total Security and McAfee Total Protection shows Kaspersky is $30 (GBP £22) more expensive for 10 devices.
Both Kaspersky and McAfee offer discounts regularly, especially for the first year, so it is worth looking out for deals.
Kaspersky and McAfee offer 30-day money-back guarantees. Should you encounter any issues after buying the program, you can ask for a full refund via customer support.
As you would expect, both software products are fully compatible with a range of devices and operating systems, including Windows PCs, iOS, Android, and macOS.
Effectiveness against malware
The big question is which product will give the best protection against online threats, such as malware, viruses, trojans, and worms?
To find out how each performed, I ran some tests. The idea was to gauge how each product fared using both real-time detection and a full system scan. I also ran quick scans to see how these performed and if they could detect the malware samples. I used test samples that are made available from EICAR (the European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research) which simulate viruses coming in different forms over both secure and insecure connections. Finally, I also looked at some independent test lab results for both McAfee and Kaspersky to see if they matched my own results. The results are below.
No value | McAfee | Kaspersky |
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Website | mcafee.com | kaspersky.com | Eicar Sample 1 | Blocked | Blocked | Eicar Sample 2 | Blocked | Blocked | Eicar Sample 3 | Blocked | Blocked | Eicar Sample 4 | Blocked | Blocked | Live Sample 1 (Adware) | Blocked | Blocked | Live Sample 2 (Trojan) | Blocked | Blocked | Live Sample 3 (Trojan) | Blocked | Blocked |
Best deal (per month) | $3.33 SAVE $80 on a 2 year plan - 5 devices | $2.49 GET 70% OFF |
Kaspersky successfully identified everything and blocked all samples in real time. All Eicar samples were disallowed, while the live samples were immediately deleted after being unlocked and unzipped.
McAfee also performed well and blocked all attempts to download Eicar samples, while also blocking the installation of live malware samples from password-protected files.
I also ran a quick scan to see how this performed. The quick scan is a mini version of the full antivirus scanner. It does not check all the files on a machine but looks at the most likely places to find malware. McAfee detected none of the samples in quick scan mode. The quick scan mode on Kaspersky also failed to detect any of the samples.
After my own tests, I looked at the latest available benchmarks in which antivirus malware engines are tested for effectiveness by independent test labs.
The latest available Malware Protection Test from AV-Comparatives was published in September 2021. In the Malware Protection Test, viruses are on network drives and USB sticks and the malware scanner searches these drives for viruses. Another benchmark called Real-World Protection incorporates online threats to evaluate how well the entire suite works, not just the malware engine. I will look also look at the AV-Comparatives Real-World test from July-October 2021.
McAfee recorded a success rate of 100 percent, making it joint first alongside Norton.
In the malware test, Kaspersky recorded a 99.90 percent success rate at protecting a PC from malware. This score ranks Kaspersky in the middle tier of all antivirus brands analyzed in this test.
In the Real World Protection test, McAfee also came out on top, protecting against 99.8 percent of online threats. The remaining 0.2 percent were user-dependent, meaning the user was given a choice to allow or block the threat. Kaspersky blocked 99.9 percent of online threats, with the remaining 0.1 percent resulting in the machine being compromised.
Both antiviruses produced zero false alarms, also known as false positives, where an antivirus incorrectly flags a safe file as malicious.
I also looked at the most recent tests available from AV-Test, a well-respected and independent test lab.
The lab’s September and October 2021 test was set up to find out the effectiveness of major antivirus brands for home users over a period of time.
AV-Test has given a rating to each provider, with a top score of six available in each category.
Both Kaspersky and McAfee scored a perfect 6.0 out of 6.0. The results show both McAfee and Kaspersky earned a 100 percent success rate at detecting established and known viruses discovered in the last four weeks before testing.
Similarly, the 0-day tests for real online threats give both of them with a 100 percent success rate in both September and October, which is very impressive.
Overall McAfee performs slightly better in the most recently available lab tests, however both products were very impressive with zero false alarms and they were in the top bands of every test. McAfee achieved 100 percent in all but one test where it let the user decide to block or allow the threat for 0.2 percent of the threats.
Impact on PC performance
To test out the impact of each antivirus on PC speed, I timed both full and quick scans on my PC and also measured the impact on the system. Besides this, I also looked at performance benchmarking tests from independent test labs.
No value | McAfee | Kaspersky |
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Website | mcafee.com | kaspersky.com | Full Scan Time (minutes) | 223 | 227 | Number of scanned objects | 785000 | 2100000 | Full Scan CPU Utilization % | 100 | 100 | Full Scan Memory Utilization % | 75 | 76 | Full Scan Disk Utilization (seconds) | 253 | 316 | Control CPU Utliization % (no scan) | 12 | 46 | Control Memory Utilization % (no scan) | 10 | 70 | Control Disk Utilization (seconds) (no scan) | 66 | 12 | Quick Scan Time (seconds) | 633 | 273 | Quick Scan CPU Utilization % | 39 | 71 | Quick Scan Memory Utilization % | 77 | 73 | Quick Scan Disk Utilization % | 912 | 531 |
Best deal (per month) | $3.33 SAVE $80 on a 2 year plan - 5 devices | $2.49 GET 70% OFF |
So first up, my own findings. I ran Kaspersky on a full scan first and was quite surprised at the time to complete the entire process. I timed the first run at just over 227 minutes and felt a slight negative impact on PC performance during the scan.
McAfee ran the full first scan on my PC at a similar time of 223 minutes, but scanned fewer items. The scan did not noticeably affect my PC speed.
I also ran quick scans with both suites and both were completed relatively quickly, with Kaspersky taking 273 seconds and McAfee taking 633 seconds. During both scans, I could minimize the antivirus program and continue my work.
During the scans, I recorded data to look at the impact on PC performances and how the antivirus was using system resources.
Overall, Kaspersky had a slightly heavier impact on PC resources and performance compared to McAfee, especially when not running a full scan. During the full scans, the utilization of CPU, Memory utilization, and disk utilization were in a comparable range.
To check if my experience was similar to that of others, I looked at the performance test results from both AV-Comparatives and AV-Test.
In AV-Test’s results, both Kaspersky and McAfee performed above industry standard times. Both Kaspersky and McAfee were rated 6.0 out of 6.0 for performance by AV-Test.
AV-Comparatives performance results gave full marks for speed to both Kaspersky and McAfee on all but one test, which was still rated fast, while running several standard PC tasks.
McAfee vs Kaspersky features
The antivirus engine is the main product, but all AV brands bundle in extras to enhance PC security. Which provides the best added features: Kaspersky or McAfee Total Protection?
- Antivirus
- VPN
- Performance optimization
- Home network security
- Security experts and online support
- Multi-device compatibility
- Password manager
- Safe web browsing
- File shredder
- Encrypted storage
- Identity theft protection
- Defends against viruses, ransomware and more
- Reinforced browser for banking
- Webcam protection
- Password manager
- Compatible on PC, Mac, and mobile
- Blocks phishing
- Safe kids parental controls
- File backup protection
I have already looked at how well the antivirus engine performs from each provider, so now I will look at some of the extra security features included with each suite. Both suites share a common feature—a password manager, but most of their other bundled tools are quite different. I have listed the most valuable tools for the average user from each provider below, with a brief description of what the tool can do.
- Home network security – Secure your firewall and block hackers from accessing your home network.
- File Shredder – Lets you permanently delete items on your PC you no longer need, to safely dispose of your private files.
- Encrypted Storage – Keep sensitive files private by storing them on your PC with 256-bit AES encryption.
- Identity Theft Protection – An additional feature that helps you stay ahead of identity thieves. This offer is available when you’re enrolled in auto-renewal.
- File protection – Backs up your precious photos, music, and files on PC only.
- Safe Kids Parental Controls – Includes ‘bad content’ blocker, GPS tracker, and more on PC, Mac, and mobile.
- Safe banking – Launches an encrypted browser to protect online transactions on PC and Mac.
- Privacy – Stops webcam hijacks and hides browsing activity on PC and Mac.
Overall, both suites have a couple of excellent features. From McAfee, I like the ID protection, but it’s annoying that you have to be enrolled in auto-renewal to benefit from it. I also think the file shredder can be useful for some users.
Most everyday users would find the tools from Kaspersky such as webcam protection, parental controls, photo backup and safe banking more appealing features than those offered by McAfee.
Sign up and Installation
First, I signed up and installed Kaspersky. It took just three clicks from the homepage to select my product and get to the checkout page. To complete my order and download the installation file, I was required to add my personal details and card payment information. Kaspersky automatically selects auto-renewal, but you can uncheck this box at the point of selection.
Kaspersky also try to push a couple of their add-on products at the checkout but I skipped these and test the standard Total Security suite.
The download and setup was a quick process, and all in all, I was done and ready to run my first scan about ten minutes after visiting the website to start my purchase. One thing to note is that you have to set up a ‘My Kaspersky’ online account and enter your activation code.
McAfee’s home page is straightforward and directs you towards home or enterprise versions of Total Protection. It took just two clicks for me to reach the checkout page with my chosen product in the basket. The checkout confirmed a first-year discount on the price and highlighted that ID Theft Protection was included for free.
After the purchase went through, I was given a link to download the installer to my PC in about two minutes. The installer runs a five-minute application check, device check and a software check. After this step, it takes a few more minutes to set up the software and for McAfee to check for updates to ensure you have the latest version available.
How easy is the interface to use?
Kaspersky’s home screen shows a system status symbol; a green check if everything is okay. Below is a panel with eight icons and links to most of the tools you will need. This includes Scan, Safe Money, Database Update, Privacy Protection, Password Manager, Backup and Restore, and Parental Control.
I found it was really easy to access settings and schedule daily, weekly or monthly scans. Kaspersky adds an icon to the Windows system tray, which includes a handy shortcut to launch the Safe Money browser or parental controls.
I found McAfee easy to use with a very clear layout. The home screen shows tabs for main sections, giving quick shortcuts to PC Security, PC Performance, My Privacy, and My Info.
The home screen displays a green check mark in the upper left-hand corner after a scan has been completed to confirm that your PC is protected, and I found this reassuring every time I opened up the app.
Most of what the average user will need is on the home screen, but a gear icon in the top right pulls out a long list of settings.
McAfee antivirus can also be accessed via an icon in the system tray to start a scan.
Customer Support
So, what’s the story with customer support? Kaspersky isn’t slacking here. If you’re in North America, you can call their tech support seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern Time. Email or chat more your style? Expect a reply by the next day. And if you find yourself in a bind during the late hours, Kaspersky’s website has a ton of how-to videos, FAQs, and articles to guide you.
As for McAfee, their support game is strong. Phone or live chat? Take your pick – they’re ready 24/7. If you’re more of a DIY person, they have a knowledge base, forum, and support hub. Oh, and they’re reachable on social media channels like Twitter and Facebook. What sets McAfee apart for me is their guarantee: they vow to keep your system clean, and if things go south, their techs will jump in to clean up the mess.
McAfee vs Kaspersky conclusion
If you missed the big reveal of the winner at the beginning of my comparison, here’s a reminder: McAfee stole the top spot as the better antivirus than Kaspersky. While both providers blocked each malware sample I put them up against, the world-leading test labs I referenced scored McAfee as the better performer overall, with a 100% real-world protection rate. McAfee also backs their protection with a prestigious malware guarantee.
In terms of performance, McAfee puts less strain on system resources versus Kaspersky, and it also gets my vote for its heavily discounted prices for new subscribers. Mcafee has a clean, user-friendly interface with many customizable settings for advanced users, and for entry-level users, customer support is top-notch.
Throw in the fact that Kaspersky’s privacy policy is rather demanding when you first install the product with regards to the data it collects, and it’s a no-brainer to opt for McAfee as the better choice.
methodology: how we select the best antivirus providers
When we compile a head-to-head antivirus article, we select two of the most popular providers and break down the pros and cons to help you decide on the best fit for your requirements. Before adding antiviruses to our comparisons, we run through several tests and considerations to ensure they meet our expectations. You can see some of our tests below:
- Pricing: We ensure our readers get a great deal with the AVs we recommend. Most of them include a money-back guarantee and significant discounts for the first year of signing up.
- Usability: The products we pick often include several options for advanced users, but at their core, they’re simple enough for entry-level users to get their heads around.
- Malware removal: We run each antivirus through lab testing to check their ability to find and remove live and inert malware samples.
- Customer support: Email, live chat, or ticketing support is a must for each of the AVs we list.
- System impact: Our recommended antiviruses are tested to measure their effect on system performance to ensure they don’t slow down your device.
- Device compatibility: Windows and macOS apps are what we look for in the products we select and may include support for other platforms like iOS and Android.
Read our antivirus testing methodology to learn more about our testing criteria.
FAQs about McAfee and Kaspersky
Is there a difference between free antivirus and paid antivirus software?
The answer to this question depends on what you are looking for in an antivirus product. Of course, free virus protection is better than no protection at all, but most worthwhile free products are designed to entice you to upgrade to the premium version. This usually means that you can only access the core antivirus engine, with all the heavyweight functions and features are reserved for premium products.
Premium versions also generally include extra layers of protection, such as web protection or anti-phishing technologies. Using free software, you are also likely to get bombarded with adverts for the premium version, which gets annoying after a while.
How do I unisntall Kaspersky?
Kaspersky makes it super easy to uninstall its application if you are not impressed. All you need to do is:
- Open Kaspersky Internet Security.
- Tap Settings > Settings > Uninstall the app.
- On the Uninstall Kaspersky Internet Security screen, tap Next.
- If prompted, enter the app secret code (the app requests the secret code if the Uninstallation protection checkbox is selected in the Anti-Theft settings).
- Confirm uninstallation of Kaspersky.
- Done!
How do I uninstall McAfee?
McAfee can be uninstalled from the Windows Add/Remove programs area or you can download McAfee’s custom tool to ensure a complete uninstall. Simply:
- Download the MCPR tool.
- Double-click MCPR.exe.
- If you see a security warning: Click Yes, Continue, or Run
- Follow the online prompts
McAfee includes an uninstaller for Mac, which can be found in your applications folder.
Can I use McAfee and Kaspersky together?
Ah, the age-old dilemma – two antivirus programs or one? Well, if you’re trying to decide which route to take, here’s a friendly word of advice: stick with the singular! While using multiple antivirus programs on the same computer is not impossible, it can lead to some unfortunate complications. Think of it like this – two roommates. They live in peace until they both try to do the same thing at the same time…it becomes chaotic and dangerous real quick.
The same principle applies when using multiple antivirus programs on your device – their efforts could conflict and cause serious damage, preventing you from achieving the secure environment you’re striving for. Of course, if you insist on having two programs installed on your machine, then ensure you configure them properly and regularly update them so that nothing gets left out. But if safety truly is your priority, one is definitely enough!
Why do I need a VPN?
A VPN is like your own private tunnel – it helps ensure that all your web traffic stays safe from prying eyes. Think of it as your very own bodyguard, helping to protect you while you go about your online activities. So if you’re ever out and about on public Wi-Fi, don’t forget to turn on the VPN! It’ll keep nasty hackers at bay and make sure none of your data gets left behind in the digital dust.
But a Virtual Private Network isn’t only useful for protecting against malicious actors – it also gives you freedom and access too. With a good VPN, you can bypass government censorship and unblock blocked websites, allowing you to explore the digital world more freely. So whether you’re looking for privacy or just a bit of adventure, a VPN is definitely worth considering!
What are the most dangerous types of malware?
Malware on the internet can be as dangerous as a hungry shark in the ocean! It’s lurking out there, looking for unsuspecting victims to prey on – and if your system gets infected, it can wreak major havoc. From spies to ransomers, here’s a rundown of some of the most common types of malicious software you should watch out for:
- Spyware – This crafty bit of code is designed to track your online activity and steal sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers. It might even bombard you with ads or send you off to some seriously sketchy websites. Yikes!
- Ransomware – Like a tech kidnapper, this type of malware holds your computer hostage until you pay up. Not only can it be challenging to remove without expert help, but it also increases the likelihood that your data will be lost forever if not dealt with quickly.
- Trojan horses – These sneaky critters are designed to slip past your security measures and do damage from within its walls. You might not even know that they’re there until it’s too late! They could install other types of malware or prevent your computer from working correctly without you even knowing it – so stay vigilant!
So bottom line – keep an eye out for these cyber-nasties and make sure you have the right security measures in place! Otherwise, things could get nasty fast.
Does an antivirus prevent wifi hacking?
It’s no secret that antivirus software is a great line of defense against malicious hackers. But when it comes to wifi security, strong passwords, and regular updates are your best friends. Basically, think of them like a two-headed bodyguard – they work together in tandem to keep you safe from cybercrime. Encryption and disabling unnecessary services or ports can also help deter potential threats. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity on your network, such as sudden spikes in traffic or unexpected connections – all red flags!
With these simple steps, you’ll be well-protected and fully equipped to take on the digital bad guys. And if they manage to breach your defenses, then the antivirus will detect the threat and protect your system from further damage. So invest in some solid cyber-security measures today and rest easy knowing that you’re safe from wifi hacking!
Can Kaspersky still be trusted after the Ukraine conflict?
Kaspersky has been embroiled in controversy since the Ukraine conflict began. Many were worried about the security and trustworthiness of their flagship antivirus following reports that Russia had infiltrated their system to steal data and disrupt global communications.
The fallout from these suspicions was swift, with many governments banning Kaspersky’s products. But despite all this, Kaspersky is still a viable option for cybersecurity protection. This is because they’ve worked hard over the years to ensure their software is protected from malicious actors and continues to outstrip competitors in speed and performance.
Kaspersky recently distanced itself from Russian government control by launching the ‘Global Transparency Initiative.’ Under this program, they invited independent experts to review their source code and scrutinize every aspect of their business operations to prove they’re free from external influences. This initiative was backed up with invitations for organizations worldwide to partner with them to strengthen trust in their products further.
In short, Kaspersky remains one of the top-tier options for antivirus protection – even after the Ukraine conflict. By investing time and resources into its Global Transparency Initiative, Kaspersky has demonstrated its commitment to being an ethical player in the cybersecurity world – one that can be trusted for years to come!
Can I use McAfee or Kaspersky on multiple devices, and do they support cross-platform compatibility?
McAfee and Kaspersky offer antivirus products designed for multiple devices and provide cross-platform compatibility. However, the specific options and coverage may vary depending on your subscription plan.
McAfee:
McAfee offers several subscription plans that cater to different needs, including plans that cover multiple devices. Their most popular product, McAfee Essential Protection, includes coverage for up to 5 devices, whereas its Premium tier includes unlimited devices. This means you can protect multiple devices under a single subscription, including PCs, Macs, smartphones, and tablets.
The cross-platform compatibility of McAfee products extends to various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. While the features and functionality may vary slightly depending on the platform, McAfee ensures comprehensive protection across all your devices.
Kaspersky:
Kaspersky also provides multi-device antivirus solutions with their Kaspersky Plus and Premium packages. These plans allow you to protect various devices, depending on your subscription.
Kaspersky’s antivirus products are compatible with Windows, macOS, and Android devices. However, their iOS support is limited, primarily focusing on anti-phishing and content filtering for safe browsing through the Kaspersky Safe Browser app. As a result, while Kaspersky offers comprehensive protection for Windows, macOS, and Android devices, iOS users might not receive the same level of protection.
See also:
Thank you, this is a very thorough and informative analysis that is also objective at the same time. I am able to make an informed choice, though I have used Kaspersky for the last seven years but been considering changing. I am in a much better position to make an informed choice after reading this thorough review.
I really appreciated this information as i have Kaspersky Security cloud and added the full VPN. I just changed my internet provider and it comes with McAfee and wanted to look into which is better, for me anyways. I’ve never had a problem with Kaspersky and I am quite happy with it and feel its worth the price compared to the free McAfee that comes with my package. Again thank you for this information and ill be sticking with Kaspersky.
I really feel you gave a good description and its value to the customer.
I have Kaspersky and have been using it for a few years and I’m pleased with the protection it offers.
I have tried several others, Norton, Avast, and others I’ve stuck with Kaspersky and have had no problem with support.
Great comparison information. I’m still not sure if Microsoft Defender or a 3rd party A/V is the right one to use. Most 3rd party A/V do cause some software problems, especially when Microsoft sends down new Windows 10 Updates and distributes a new Version.