McAfee Total Protection WSS vs. WPS.

[ebrac_7]

My McAfee Total Protection 16.0 R52 (WSS) was not so long time ago auto-updated to the version 16.0 R111 (WPS).
But after that, I had to reinstall the system (Win 10), then when I installed McAfee again it was  again in version 16.0 R52 (WSS) and still is.

Recently I was looking for opinion about the McAfee installation, this way I learned from the fourm about the WPS and WSS versions. I was earlier not aware of this difference.
This unfortunately creates additional questions on my side. Few things I'd really like to confirm to feel safer on my own device - after all this is why I paid money for this AV.

Question 1: As I understand, the latest version of the WSS and the latest ver. of the WPS are equal solutions and both secure device properly (despite the 2nd one is more modern)? After all you keep the WSS alive too...

Question 2: Why after the reinstallation of Windows, I went back to WSS. Does this happen? Is it something to worry about or I can use safely WSS without thinking about it?

BTW. WSS is installing on my device no matter what McAfee installer I'm using, recent or older.

Please, I will be really grateful to finally get some opinion - to get general answers for these after all general questions - here (or in PM). Contact through the chat or phone is not an option for me. It shouldn't be mandatory.

Regards.

[Abhishek_Das · Accepted solution]

Hi @ebrac_7 ,

Greetings from McAfee.

Kindly find our answers in line to your questions. 

Question 1: As I understand, the latest version of the WSS and the latest ver. of the WPS are equal solutions and both secure device properly (despite the 2nd one is more modern)? After all you keep the WSS alive too...

WSS and WPS both going to protect and keep your device secure.

Question 2: Why after the reinstallation of Windows, I went back to WSS. Does this happen? Is it something to worry about or I can use safely WSS without thinking about it?

There is nothing to worry about. We are slowly migrating our users from WSS to WPS. If you are on WSS it will automatically update to WPS eventually. 

Regards,
Abhi

[ebrac_7]

Thank you very much for the quick response, Abhishek_Das!

I have only one more and the last question related to McAfee installation:

Q: MacAfee installed with the earlier (older) version of the installer (than the currently available to download). Is it safe and will the McAfee work properly if you install it this way?

Maybe two times I installed McAfee with the older installer (as for example, I could have done it faster this way). I didn't see any problems. Quickly after the installation McAfee was updated to the latest version (once after some time also to WPS, as mentioned previously), so I guess there are no any risks? Right?

I'd love to know opinion on this.

Best regards!

[Abhishek_Das]

Hi @ebrac_7 ,

Greetings from McAfee. 

There is no harm to use the older installer to install McAfee. Kindly make sure once the app is installed, you run/check for the McAfee updates and make sure the latest version of McAfee is updated on your system. 
There is no risks to use the older installer.

Regards,
Abhi

[ebrac_7]

Thanks again for the answer.

Recently I found instllation with the older installer also more useful (even if I had to type the code of the new licencse), as this way the "security history" still works (is present) in WSS 16.0.R52 and when you install it with the installers released to download since around the late 2022 it does not.

Best regards.