Uninstalling Windows Defender

[Will Pittenger]

From the moment my new Vista Ultimate SP1 machine arrived, Defender
hasn't worked. At first, it was crashing. Now it doesn't appear to be
running, but MS Update wants to install an update that won't install.
Is there a way to uninstall Defender? I have other products that don't
crash now and don't need Defender.

 

[Ǝиçεl]

Report problems and check for solutions automatically

<http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/fba7e7c3-2aec-46e4-9a32-968aa620f35b1033.mspx>

Good luck
-=-

 

[Will Pittenger]

That FAQ didn't help. It talked about a control panel item I can't
find. Besides, I want to completely uninstall Defender, not fix it.

 

[Ǝиçεl]

Hi Will,


In Vista, you can not uninstall Windows Defender.
It is part of the Vista operating System.
You can only disable it in Vista

How to disable Windows Defender
<http://www.vista4beginners.com/How-to-disable-Windows-Defender>


Good luck
-=-

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

On a clean Vista install, it's not removable. You can simply disable it and
have the same effect.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
Vote for my shoe: http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[Will Pittenger]

Will Update still attempt to download and install updates for Defender.
Remember, the problem is that I have one that doesn't work.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

The update check is part of WD, so if it is disabled the check will not run.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
Vote for my shoe: http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Will Update still attempt to download and install updates for Defender.
Remember, the problem is that I have one that doesn't work.
-------
Will Pittenger
[will 6 8 at mtco dot com] (preferred e-mail address)
Or use [will dot pittenger 1 at gmail dot com]

Hi,

On a clean Vista install, it's not removable. You can simply disable it
and have the same effect.

 

[Will Pittenger]

Can't get it running. But the update check DOES run.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

Run services.msc and disable the Windows Defender service. Simply double
click it and set the startup type to disabled.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
Vote for my shoe: http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

Can't get it running. But the update check DOES run.
-------
Will Pittenger
[will 6 8 at mtco dot com] (preferred e-mail address)
Or use [will dot pittenger 1 at gmail dot com]

Hi,

The update check is part of WD, so if it is disabled the check will not
run.

 

[Will Pittenger]

It happened to be stopped when I went there. I set to disabled just in
case. It still shows the update that won't install, but I told Update
to hide that update. I don't know if that will fix it or not.

 

[Ǝиçεl]

Hi Will,

Corrupted System File; Need to perform an in-place upgrade or reinstall of
the OS.

Some Windows Vista functions may not work, or Windows
Vista may stop responding

Use the System File Checker tool (SFC.exe)

How to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted
system files on Windows Vista or on Windows 7
<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833>


Good luck
-=-

It happened to be stopped when I went there. I set to disabled just in
case. It still shows the update that won't install, but I told Update
to hide that update. I don't know if that will fix it or not.
-------
Will Pittenger
[will 6 8 at mtco dot com] (preferred e-mail address)
Or use [will dot pittenger 1 at gmail dot com]

Hi,

Run services.msc and disable the Windows Defender service. Simply double
click it and set the startup type to disabled.