Uninstalling Defender Question

[Marc Petrick]

I thought I read somewhere that if I uninstall Windows Defender on XP
machines, I also end up loosing some additional features/functionality
within Windows XP. Has anyone else read or seen anything along these lines?
I'm uninstalling because we use Symantec Endpoint, which, when installed
disables Windows Defender since it has its own built in spyware protection.
I just dont want my end users to accidently re-enable Windows Defender.

Thanks!!

 

[Engel]

Hello Marc,

Wrong information, you don't loose any features/functionality
within Windows XP, when you uninstall WD.

Can you give the link where you read that misinformation.

Thank you
--- ---

 

[Engel]

Hi Marc,

Remember to EXIT Windows Defender from the task bar first, then go to the
Add/Remove programs and uninstall.


If you use a version of Microsoft Office which is covered by Office Update,
you should check whether you are able to update via that mechanism still. If
you decide to use Windows Installer CleanUp Utility

So I don't recommend to use this program Windows Installer CleanUp Utility:
http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;290301

Using the installer cleanup tool is something I would reserve for situations
in which everything else has failed. It shouldn't be risky, but there may be
easier ways. Like my first sugestion on top of the page.


Good luck
- -- ---

 

[Marc Petrick]

If I could rememeber where I saw this I'd be happy to share it! I'm
thinking I may have confused some of my information because it does not make
any sense to me that I would loose functionality.

Thanks!

Marc

 

[Bill Sanderson]

Windows Defender creates a control panel applet "Software Explorer" which
can be useful in diagnosing malware infections. This functionality would go
when you uninstall Windows Defender--but I would expect that--I can't easily
check an XP machine at the moment to see if that icon is there, and whether
it is removed on an uninstall--but I would expect it to be.

On Vista, Windows Defender is part of the OS, and cannot be uninstalled. It
can easily be disabled, if necessary, though.

There's been some discussion of an issue that may apparently arise on an XP
machine which is upgraded to Vista--the icons to uninstall Windows Defender
are apparently still there, and the results are not good--so that is well
worth avoiding.

 

[Engel]

Hi Marc,

FYI

Maybe you read this post and from there you get confused, Between Windows
Defender VS Windows Onecare.

Joe Faulhaber[MSFT] explain the diference

http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...d04a&mid=d281630b-55e8-415b-a3f3-7d7663dcd04a

I hope this clarify that idea.

Good luck
- -- ---

 

[Marc Petrick]

Thanks for all the info everyone....I appreciate it!

--Marc

Hi Marc,

FYI

Maybe you read this post and from there you get confused, Between Windows
Defender VS Windows Onecare.

Joe Faulhaber[MSFT] explain the diference

http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...d04a&mid=d281630b-55e8-415b-a3f3-7d7663dcd04a

I hope this clarify that idea.

Good luck
- -- ---

If I could rememeber where I saw this I'd be happy to share it! I'm
thinking I may have confused some of my information because it does not
make
any sense to me that I would loose functionality.

Thanks!

Marc

 

[Robinb]

i have uninstalled WD from 2 xp computers with no problems afterwoods.
You just cannot uninstall it from Vista
robin