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Windows Defender - Anti virus? or not ?

shutter
Community Veteran
Posts: 22,206
Thanks: 3,769
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Registered: ‎06-11-2007

Windows Defender - Anti virus? or not ?

Running Windows Vista Home Premium

Just checked my Windows Security Centre.... and it states.....
Quote
_________________________________________________________________________
Malware Protection                                                                                    Check Settings
__________________________________________________________________________
Virus Protection                                                                                           Not Found
Windows did not find antivirus software on this computer
_________________________________________________________________________
Spyware and other malware protection
Windows Defender is actively protecting your computer
__________________________________________________________________________


So it would seem I DO need to have a third party AV installed as well as Windows Defender...
Which I removed to try and improve my Youtube experience...  Cry

EDIT EDIT EDIT.....
The choice is AVAST at 87MB  or AVIRA at 124MB...... comments on your preferences Please ?
5 REPLIES 5
pwatson
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Registered: ‎26-11-2012

Re: Windows Defender - Anti virus? or not ?

I'd remove Defender and install Microsoft Security Essentials
picbits
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Registered: ‎18-01-2013

Re: Windows Defender - Anti virus? or not ?

I think MSE on pre Windows 8 is AV while Defender on Win 8 and 8.1 is AV
shutter
Community Veteran
Posts: 22,206
Thanks: 3,769
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Registered: ‎06-11-2007

Re: Windows Defender - Anti virus? or not ?

OK... Thanks for that DomS...... ( and PW for your advice )....  That is where I got a bit mixed up then...... down loaded and installed MSE and it has just run a quick scan... all is good..!.. so lucky me ! ! ! .. Cheesy
PowerLee
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Registered: ‎12-03-2013

Re: Windows Defender - Anti virus? or not ?

FWIW: Installing MSE on Windows Vista or Windows 7 will automatically disable the original built in Windows Defender as its no longer needed.
picbits
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Registered: ‎18-01-2013

Re: Windows Defender - Anti virus? or not ?

And trying to install it on Windows 8 results in a message saying it isn't needed as Defender is the new MSE or something like that.
I use MSE on my Win7 and Vista machines and Defender on my Win8 (cough spit) laptop.
Yup - just tried to install it again - got the message :
Quote
You don't need to install Microsoft Security Essentials
Your version of Windows includes an updated version of Windows Defender that provides the same level of protection as Microsoft Security Essentials, along with other significant improvements