I installed 8.1 and lost my mcafee. contacted mcafee they said mcafee and win 8.1 preview are not compatible?

Hi, yes some of the AV's still doesn't supports Windows 8.1 Preview, because as its just a preview. So, wait for the rtm release, then surely Mcafee will work o Windows 8.1. Not only Mcafee but often many of AV's aren't still supported on windows 8.1. Thanks & if you think that this is the answer than "Mark it as Answer"

Keep in mind that Windows 8.1 comes with the full Microsoft Security Essentials suite integrated, as did Windows 8.  There is less necessity to immediately install a 3rd party anti-malware solution, though some of them will surely end up being better than what Microsoft delivers in the long term.

 

What version of McAfee?  I use McAfee Antivirus Enterprise 8.8i, Patch 3 (Patch 3 is for Windows 8 only; Patch 2 is for Windows 7 and below) on my work Windows 8.1 and it works perfectly.  NOTE: I must use the Gov't supplied AV solutions (McAfee or Symantec) on my work computer.

Personally, I just use the built in Windows Defender--which has the same AV engine as the excellent MSFT Security Essentials.