March 14 Windows Defender Update

Microsoft has released the following update on 11/03/2014

Anti-malware platform update for Windows Defender is available in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1

I have disabled Windows Defender & don't plan to use it. Do I need this update ?

 

What do you use for an Anti Virus program?

 

Is it listed as a necessary security update, or is it optional?

 

Your choice rsinfo. I use Defender and all the updates are marked important.
MSE and Defender I have found to be excellent at what they do but MBM and AntiSpy will usually keep your comp in good order. Neil.

 

Avast Free, Malwarebyte's Anti malware, EMET & WinPatrol

 

It seems to be optional but I have selected "Give me Recommended Updates the same way I receive important updates" so I don't know for sure.

But its given under "Important" updates.

 

If you use an alternative anti-malware solution and have disabled WD in W8, then you don't need the update. But I see no reason not to keep Windows Defender fully updated along with the rest of Windows - regardless if you use the native tools or not.

If you use an alternative anti-malware solution and you keep WD (or MSE in W7) fully updated, then you can use WD/MSE as a supplemental scanner to make sure nothing sneaked by your main scanner (or you). That seems like a good defensive battle plan to me as we must NEVER rely on one solution entirely.

FTR, I use WD with MBAM Pro on my W8 systems and MSE with MBAM on my W7 systems. No problems with either since migrating to W7 and MSE in Oct 2009.

 

That wouldn't be possible on rsinfo's machine, would it?

From my experience with Windows 8 / 8.1, Windows Defender is disabled if a third-party anti-virus is installed. Unless one can somehow enable Windows Defender without removing the third-party program.

 

Yes it is turned off when another AV program has been installed. I would not run some other AV and then run WD. ONE or the other only. MBAM and/or some other MALWARE/SPYWARE program would be fine to have both on. Most FREE versions of those type programs are not giving 24/7/365 protection anyways.

 

From the discussion it seems that I can safely ignore it.

Thanks guys. Marking the thread as "Resolved ".

 

No. If you not using the software which is meant to update ... presuming you have another software doing the job.

 

Hi The Weeder, Welcome to the BBS.

You don't have to run MS's AV - it's a user choice/preference - but because the MS OS will turn OFF it's AV when you install/use another AV (Avast) it would be silly to Start MSE/Defender and have 2 AV's conflicting.

Just to clarify for you and please do continue you contribute.
Asking questions is the only way we broaden our learning. Neil.

 

Good point but I don't think anyone was suggesting that.

That said, conflicts are not normally the problem any these days - typically it just wastes system resources while providing no significant advantages.