Resolved Windows Defender Updates Query

In Windows 7, I have Windows / Microsoft Updates set to notify me of new security updates (but does not download them). This works fine for me except for Windows Defender. I would prefer WD to update itself without my intervention.

Is this possible without changing my current Windows / Microsoft notification settings?

 

I wonder if this would work for Windows 7...

Keep Windows Defender Updated Even After Disabling Windows 8 Automatic Updates

 

Are you using any other anti virus ? If yes, turn off Windows Defender.

 

Aren't you mistaking Windows Defender for Microsoft Security Essentials?

I am running Avast antivirus program. WD shouldn't conflict with Avast, should it?

 

MSE is current name up to W8 where the name became Windows Defender.

Windows Defender was available in XP, but if you wanted to use Microsoft Security Essentials as well, you had to Stop WD otherwise they would conflict.

Now in W8 - Windows Defender takes over the MSE job and you can't use MSE in W8.

As usual advice is given that it may cause conflicts to run more than 1 (one) AV Software, Anti-Malware and Spyware will not cause any conflict.

So if you want to run Norton AV in W8, Windows Defender will be turned off.
I hope that helps James, but I stand to be corrected if I've got it wrong. Neil.

 

In Windows 7, I assume Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials are two different programs? Avast antivirus has not turned off Windows Defender, so I assume the two can work together?

That explains why my aunt's Windows 8 laptop turned off Windows Defender. She purchased a subscription to Norton.

 

If Avast doesn't turn off Windows Defender, it doesn't mean anything. Running 2 AV programs simultaneously is a bad idea.

 

Windows Defender is *not* an antivirus program in Windows 7, is it? I think it's just an active anti-malware tool.

 

James, have a look here:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-NZ/windows-8/windows-defender

This should explain it all. Neil.

 

Thanks, Neil.

I'm reading up on your link, but I just wanted to post a screenshot of my version of Windows Defender...

http://www.windowsbbs.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=3679&stc=1&d=1379563458

I see no indication of installed antivirus definitions...only antispyware defs instead.

 

James, what is the date in NC today? your screen shot shows 19/09/13 time 1604hrs.
I thought we were a day ahead of you guys. Neil.

 

Neil, according to my computer clock the time and date is now 10:00pm (Thursday), 9-19-2013.

For what it's worth, I have my forum time set to -5:00 hours from Greenwich (Prime) Meridian - which is equal to USA Eastern Daylight Savings time.

EDIT: My screenshot time is 00:04 (12:04 am) 9-19-2013. (hold your mouse over the attachment and the time will appear in the lower right corner)

 

James, I've researched a bit deeper and found that MSE and Defender are not AV's, just Spyware/Malware. Quite OK to use if you don't open funny web sites.
I'm running MSE on XP & Vista comps quite happily.

I decided to download Avast for my laptop (W8), as it came with a 30 day Trial of Nortons IS which I had bad experiences with previously. I uninstalled Norton and set up Avast. Windows Defender TURNS itself off when it detects another AV software program.

Windows Firewall stays on and you're up and running.

Avast 8 is a new format and seems quite user friendly. Neil.

 

Neil, I believe Microsoft Security Essentials is an antivirus program. Windows Defender is an anti-malware application.

From what I gather, Microsoft Security Essentials has Windows Defender embedded together (if used in XP, Vista, and W7) - and as you said earlier, Microsoft Security Essentials is renamed as Windows Defender (antivirus only program?) in Windows 8.

Looks like Microsoft could have made things a bit less confusing here.

 

James, I'm not sure whether Windows Defender is an AV. All the write ups say Anti-Malware. I'm still wanting some real confirmation about it's AV ability.

My question is, why do HP install Norton Internet Security in a Windows 8 Notebook if WD is in W8 OS? Neil.

 

I guess it's a money issue. HP, and other computer makers, get paid by third-party software companies to install their software. Laptops seems to be the biggest targets in my opinion.

 

Defender out of date.

Terribly confused with defender. I have windows 7 with security essentials and have for 3 years or so. I just found today that defender is off and out of date. I do not have any other spyware or AV. What must I do?

 

Because HP gets paid to do it. Norton hopes to get future renewals from the free trial installation and HP gets a percentage. At least that's how my contact at HP explained it.

 

This is not a reply to my question.

 

It was a reply to James Martin.

I have Windows Defender disabled as most people that I know of with Win 7 have it disabled also. I use MSE which was changed to Win Def in Win 8 which I also have. Look at my signature as to what I have and I can't remember the last time I got anything that I couldn't get rid of in just a few minutes. That is on all my PC's including XP machines which the grandkids use all the time.