Window defender missing?

[Cal Who]

I don't have any evidence of Window Defender on my machine.
My Start/All Programs does not contain it.
I opened Control panelAdd Remove Programs to see if it is mentioned there -
it isn't.

Shouldn't it appear some place - I like to check if it is really installed.

Thank

 

[Bruce Hagen]

I don't have any evidence of Window Defender on my machine.
My Start/All Programs does not contain it.
I opened Control panelAdd Remove Programs to see if it is mentioned
there - it isn't.

Shouldn't it appear some place - I like to check if it is really
installed.

Thank

Did you ever download it?

If you did, have you installed Microsoft Security Essentials?

If not MSE, what AV program are you using and when did you start it or
upgrade it last?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?

 

[VanguardLH]

I don't have any evidence of Window Defender on my machine.
My Start/All Programs does not contain it.
I opened Control panelAdd Remove Programs to see if it is mentioned there -
it isn't.

Shouldn't it appear some place - I like to check if it is really installed.

Well, did YOU ever bother to actually *install* it? If you want it on
your computer than YOU will have to install it.

Also, Windows Defender is dead. It was replaced with Microsoft Security
Essentials (MSE).

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

 

[Bruce Hagen]

Cal Who wrote:

Also, Windows Defender is dead. It was replaced with Microsoft Security
Essentials (MSE).

MSE includes the properties of Windows Defender, but MSE is not a
replacement unless you are running MSE. When using an AV other than MSE
like Avast, AVG, etc, Windows Defender is still alive and well with
continuous updating.

 

[Cal Who]

I don't have any evidence of Window Defender on my machine.
My Start/All Programs does not contain it.
I opened Control panelAdd Remove Programs to see if it is mentioned
there - it isn't.

Shouldn't it appear some place - I like to check if it is really
installed.

Thank

I wonder if you can do me a favor and let me know one thing:

If installed does it show up in the control panel list of programs that can
be removed?

If not, how can I check to se if it is installed?

Thanks

 

[VanguardLH]

VanguardLH wrote ...



MSE includes the properties of Windows Defender, but MSE is not a
replacement unless you are running MSE. When using an AV other than MSE
like Avast, AVG, etc, Windows Defender is still alive and well with
continuous updating.

The OP said they don't have Windows Defender. Why would you suggest
installing WD when MSE is its replacement (includes WD plus the AV)?
What they should get now is MSE, not Windows Defender.

http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.aspx

Going to:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/default.aspx

and searching on Windows Defender finds the following download page:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/default.aspx

So it's still available for download. The lifecycle page at:

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=11952

says it doesn't go dead for about another 2 years. So I was wrong
thinking WD is officially dead. Does seem pointless to install WD when
MSE is available. Yes, you could install WD along with a 3rd party AV
but then you obviate the need for WD if you install a 3rd party AV. It
has been maybe a decade since any AV program only detected viruses.

 

[Donald Anadell]

I wonder if you can do me a favor and let me know one thing:

If installed does it show up in the control panel list of programs that
can be removed?

Yes, and Yes. It should be listed in Add\Remove Programs as "Windows
Defender"

If not, how can I check to se if it is installed?

In the Run box type(or copy and paste) the following:

C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe

If it's installed this will open the Windows Defender interface.

Good luck,

Donald Anadell

 

[Cal Who]

Yes, and Yes. It should be listed in Add\Remove Programs as "Windows
Defender"


In the Run box type(or copy and paste) the following:

C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe

If it's installed this will open the Windows Defender interface.

Good luck,

Donald Anadell

Thanks, Guess I don't have it.
I always thought I did because I get some kind of MS security up dates
periodically like they were virus signatures.

Thanks

 

[Cal Who]

Did you ever download it?

I don't remember.

Probably not since ot is not in my Program Files folder. (Unless MSE or
something else removes it)

If you did, have you installed Microsoft Security Essentials?

But I recently installed MSE.

I also have running (for years) free AVG.

Do you have a suggestion as to how I should proceed?

Thanks

 

[Cal Who]

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current?

AVG, yes

Would you recommed a different free one?

What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?

None, can you recomend a free one?

What third-party firewall (if any)?
None


Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
bought it)?

I've since rebuilt the system from scratch and didn't add the one that came
originally.

Thanks

 

[Cal Who]

Well, did YOU ever bother to actually *install* it? If you want it on
your computer than YOU will have to install it.

I let MS automatically update my machine. Is it any good and for some reason
not automatically install? If so, do you know why that is so?

 

[Cal Who]

MSE includes the properties of Windows Defender, but MSE is not a
replacement unless you are running MSE.

I just installed MSE and wonder what yourlast comment means. Do I have to
manully run it sometime. I believe it is scheduled to run by itself. I did
not change any of the settings?


Thanks

When using an AV other than MSE

 

[Bruce Hagen]

I just installed MSE and wonder what yourlast comment means. Do I have
to manully run it sometime. I believe it is scheduled to run by itself.
I did not change any of the settings?


Thanks

MSE includes Windows Defender. Like any other AV program, MSE runs in the
background all the time. You can set a scheduled scan if you wish, but it
is no more or less needed than a scheduled scan with any AV program

 

[Bruce Hagen]

Thanks, Guess I don't have it.
I always thought I did because I get some kind of MS security up dates
periodically like they were virus signatures.

Thanks

WD is not an automatic update.

 

[Bruce Hagen]

The OP said they don't have Windows Defender. Why would you suggest
installing WD when MSE is its replacement (includes WD plus the AV)?
What they should get now is MSE, not Windows Defender.

http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.aspx

Going to:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/default.aspx

and searching on Windows Defender finds the following download page:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/default.aspx

So it's still available for download. The lifecycle page at:

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=11952

says it doesn't go dead for about another 2 years. So I was wrong
thinking WD is officially dead. Does seem pointless to install WD when
MSE is available. Yes, you could install WD along with a 3rd party AV
but then you obviate the need for WD if you install a 3rd party AV. It
has been maybe a decade since any AV program only detected viruses.

The OP did not say WD was not installed, he said he couldn't find it. I
asked if MSE was installed because on some Windows Versions, installing
MSE actually removes WD.

Should they get MSE? Sure. Why not? But they need to know they must to
remove their current AV program and most people are reluctant to do that
especially if they just paid for their current AV program.

 

[Richard in AZ]

I don't remember.

Probably not since ot is not in my Program Files folder. (Unless MSE or something else removes it)



But I recently installed MSE.

I also have running (for years) free AVG.

Do you have a suggestion as to how I should proceed?

Thanks

If your upgraded to AVG 9, AVG will disable Windows Defender but not uninstall it.

 

[Cal Who]

If your upgraded to AVG 9, AVG will disable Windows Defender but not
uninstall it.
Thanks

 

[Cal Who]

The OP did not say WD was not installed, he said he couldn't find it. I
asked if MSE was installed because on some Windows Versions, installing
MSE actually removes WD.

Should they get MSE? Sure. Why not? But they need to know they must to
remove their current AV program and most people are reluctant to do that
especially if they just paid for their current AV program.

Do you recommend that I remove AVG 9 now that I have MSE.

Is MS supplying a AV program free?

I think the default MSE schedule is to run once a week the quick version.

Is that enough?

Does it check e-mail and other things in real time like AVG does?





Thanks

 

[Cal Who]

MSE includes Windows Defender. Like any other AV program, MSE runs in the
background all the time. You can set a scheduled scan if you wish, but it
is no more or less needed than a scheduled scan with any AV program

The default that comes with MSE is a quick scan once a week. Itt seems to me
that it only has to scan for virus etc that were add to its list since the
last scan. True?

I should get rid of AVG which I also have installed?

Can't have two AV programs running??


Thanks