Resolved Windows Defender usually does not work

I recently upgraded to Windows 7 and Windows Defender usually does not work. Sometimes it actually gets turned of, but it does not work even if it's turned on. Does anyone have any experience with this or any solutions for this problem? Any help and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

G'Day "Markala "

I presume that you are accessing this from the Action Center in the Control Pane in Windows 7 ??

If not go there and just make sure that you have run windows update to get the latest December files for the Defender before you use the Action Panel and perform a scan under the usually in Security section when you have updated and it is due for a scan.

pcbugfixer

 

Thank you for your offer of help pcbugfixer. I access it from the Windows Defender icon in the control panel. On the updates, my computer is all up to date but I gave it the benefit of the doubt and checked it in the Action Center and "no important updates are available ". There are a half dozen or so optional updates but none of them have anything to do with Windows Defender.

I can scan manually, but I don't understand what you mean by "scan under the usually in Security section ".

 

G'Day Markala

Try this for detailed information.

Windows Defender: Support

pcbugfixer

 

Thanks for the followup, I appreciate it.

 

If you have Microsoft Security Essentials installed and working, then MSE apparently turns off automatically Defender.

 

Thank you BobbyScot, but I don't think I have Microsoft Security Essentials installed because I've never heard of it. Also, when I check it's turned on. There have been a few times when it was turned off, but I just checked and it's turned on right now.

 

According to what has been said by many people encluding Microsoft,
Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) is superior to Defender for protection.
MSE can be downloade from Microsoft.

 

BobbyScot, thank you very much. For a minute I thought I had found the panacea, but when I went to download it I saw it's an entire security suite. But I use AVG Free and am very happy with it. But again I want to say very sincerely that I appreciate your efforts to help me.

 

You can use both software in your computer, as long as you remember only to use one in real time and the other manually.
You probably know this but AVG free, checks for virus and not spy ware etc.
I believe that AVG version you pay a fee for, does cover spy ware etc.

 

Can I throw in my experience of all three; I had loads of trouble with defender and didn't trust AVG free. The latter kept uninstalling itself and I couldnt help feel it was a come-on to buy the full version. I now use MSE for real time with MBAM (malaware malabytes) and
Superanti spyware in reserve. No bother with any of them.
For what it's worth I was told that AVG often picks up programmes,not because they are a vrus but because it simply doesnt recognize them.

 

Thank you BobbyScot. I think you are saying I can use MSE and simply disable, or uncheck, the feature of real time for virus. I'll probably go with this.

 

Thank you cozzielex, your help, in addition to BobbyScot's help, have me convinced that MSE must be pretty good. I think I'll use it and simply disable the virus checking because I've had excellent results with AVG. But it's funny you have had problems with it because a buddy of mine used it and he swears it gave him a virus, go figure! But thank you again, very much, for your help.

 

No problem Markala. I believe in going with what suits you and what you are comfortable with. As for AVG, I didn't like it ONLY because it's various functions kept disappearing and others have had the same problem. I'd be very sceptical though about claims that it give a virus. As to MSE a lot of my friends over hereare using it as it clearly is an improved Defender and of course its free! Good luck.

 

I started researching it and got myself confused. One website had links to download 2 versions of it. One is 32-bit and the other is 64-bit. Yet Microsoft.com/downloads has only one download, and I don't know which version it's for. Are you running 32 bit or 64 bit? And where did you get your download? Also, I'm beginning to think it might be easier to just use the MSE anti virus. Is it good protection?

 

Im runnning 32 bit and I'd be surprised if you are not (I dont know which platforms are, maybe someone alse can chip in with that). If the MS download site has only one it will be 32 bit.
Over the years I've had most of the well known programmes and I like MSE, but it's best (I've learned in this forum) to use at least 2. So I use malwarebytes (MBAM) which again finds favour in BBS, and superantipyware.
So yes, I feel I have good protection, remembering of course to keep your definitions up to date.
Do you also have CC Cleaner? That seems to be on most peoples hit list for clearing out the trash?

 

Markala, if you have installed the new Windows 7 on your computer, then you are running in 64 bit.

 

Bad assumption "BobbyScot" W7 can be installed in either.

"cozzielex" Why don't you just open "Computer Properties" and it will tell you.

pcbugfixer

 

Thank you, but this is not true. I have 32-bit on my desktop and 64-bit on my laptop. I'm going to be brutally honest with you. Your telling me something that is blatently wrong is making me have doubts about using this forum.

 

Cozzielex, Thank you for this continued support. Is MBAM real time? Also, I don't know what CC cleaner is.