Windows Defender

[Stan]

I have had Windows Defender in my system for a long time and it has never
found any problems that I have seen. Almost everyday it alerts me to a new
update which then triggers a new System Restore point. This in turn is
constantly using up hard drive space. I know SR is only supposed to use up
to about 12% of space on my hard drive but I have found it uses up much more
because when I delete all existing points my free space increases
dramatically. Anyway, perhaps Defender isn't finding any problems because I
also have AdAware, Spybot, Spyware Blaster, Super AntiSpyware, and AVG
AntiSpyware all of which are doing a great job. Consequently, I have
uninstalled Defender because the constant update alerts are annoying. Am I
making a mistake? Thoughts, anyone.
Stan

 

[Guest]

i think you have more than enough in your computer, and funnily enough mu
Windows Defender has never found anything on my computer either

 

[Stan]

Thanks, John
Stan

i think you have more than enough in your computer, and funnily enough mu
Windows Defender has never found anything on my computer either

 

[baynole2]

You can limit how much space is devoted to System Restore.
If I may ask, do you run all those antispywares at once, active?? Do
they all get along?? Don't you get system drag?? I keep three to use
as scanners, but only run a couple (others) live.

 

[Guest]

Windows defender has one of the worst catch rates in the biz. I would not
have it on my system.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

Windows defender has one of the worst catch rates in the biz.

Can you back that up with a credible cite, or are you just expressing
an opinion?

 

[Unknown]

You'd rather have one that causes all the problems??? Read the newsgroups
everyday.

 

[PA Bear]

Microsoft has established separate newsgroups for Windows Defender support
and comments. This is not one of them. See
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/newsgroups/default.mspx

=============================

You would normally only see two (2) definitions updates per week, Stan.

Yes, a Restore Point is created upon installing any definitions update and
if/when Defender finds something and you then approve its removal or
whatever the default action is.

SR references you should find helpful:

How to Adjust the amount of disk space System Restore uses to hold restore
points
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/diskspace.html

How to disable a monitored drive
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/drivedisable.html

Tips on keeping System Restore healthy
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/healthy.html

 

[Stan]

I run each of these programs separately. Maybe they can run simultaneously
but I never heard of anyone doing that and I don't want anything to get
messed up. I use several because usually each one finds problems the others
don't. I don't seem to get any drag. My computer runs well and fast. I
usually start one to do its thing and I go off to have my breakfast. After a
while I go back and start another. Works for me. I know I can limit the
space System Restore can use but that's not a problem. As you may have found
out computers don't always do what they are supposed to do. It's a fact of
life.
For instance, SR is supposed to create a new point at least once a day and
whenever you install a new program. I find that doesn't happen. It does seem
to do so when a Windows Defender update is downloaded. After I have
accumulated 6 or 7 Restore Points and my computer is running well, I delete
them and start with one fresh clean point. Why do I need more at this time?
And this is why I do this.
My hard drive is160g and the 12% of that is 19.2g. I check my free space
regularly and I noticed about 35g were used. Then a few weeks later I
suddenly noticed there were 82g used. I had been uninstalling and
reinstalling some software that I thought could be causing some trouble.
Apparently at this time SR was creating above average number of Restore
Points so I deleted them all. Now since SR was theoretically only able to
use 19.2g at the very most I assumed the space being used (82g) would be
lowered by less than 19.2g but it actually was reduced to 35g!!!!!
Unbelievable.
SR had used up 47g. It's not supposed to be possible but it did. That is why
I don't let SR create too many Restore Points. I assume some folks here
either don't believe me or think I don't know what I'm doing, but I really
do. Just my experience. As Riply used to say, "Believe it or not.)
Stan

 

[MAP]

Can you back that up with a credible cite, or are you just expressing
an opinion?

I will take David Lipmans word on it. but if you want other proof.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/02/20/anti-spyware_tests/
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,136195-page,1/article.html
http://reviews.cnet.com/security-and-encryption/microsoft-windows-defender-b
eta/4505-3688_7-31256676.html
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,1926597,00.asp

There are many more links but I'm tired of looking them up
Have a nice day

 

[MAP]

You'd rather have one that causes all the problems??? Read the
newsgroups everyday.

I've been coming here for years Bub.

 

[Unknown]

I'm not Bub and apparently your retention of problem causing items isn't
very good. Years????????

 

[John Adams]

i think you have more than enough in your computer, and funnily enough mu
Windows Defender has never found anything on my computer either

And you better hope it doesn't. My anti-virus program never finds any
virus's either, that doesn't mean it is no good or I should stop using it.