Windows Defender

Running Win 10, and I hear so many negative reviews about Windows Defender that I want to ask, is it worth using or should I shut it off and install another free antivirus ?

 

This article comparing Windows Defender to other AV programs is quite detailed. It comes down to a user's general internet behaviour which - if very good - means they are probably fine with WD but for added protection (as shown in various reviews) then using a better one is an option. But the article is good in advising users of free AVs to make sure they uncheck unneeded options.
http://www.howtogeek.com/225385/wha...r-windows-10-is-windows-defender-good-enough/

 

Windows defender is fine on older systems.But be warned Windows Defender tend's to eat CPU 25% on Windows 10.Some times all the time.

 

That's because it's scanning EVERYTHING all the while Real Time Protection is turned on.

 

Yes true but the real time scanner is wasting CPU and RAM running all the time.

As far as I know it's very hard to turn this option off.And in other windows like 7 it only scanned when you want Ed it too.

I hate the real time protection for this reason.

 

The only Real Time protection I use is malware bytes.It finds mostly every thing.

The other stuff is secondary.And set on manual scan.

 

In Windows 10 Windows Defender real time protection turns off when a 3rd party AV real time program is installed and activated.

 

Mine never turned off.

You have to have anti virus that does nothing o turn it off.

In which case is sad.

But there is away to Permanently disable it.

You have to make sure you have windows 10 64 bit and Professional version and up.Other wise it's not possible with the windows 10 home versions.You have to have the group policy editor for this.And know how to delete it from the command prompt.It's very time consuming.

I did it my self and it took me all most a full hour to completely disable it.

 

It reverts to a disabled status on all four systems with Comodo Internet Security.

 

Pardon me if I'm wrong...
In Services, can Windows Defender's Startup type not be set to Manual?

 

No Windows ten will not allow it. I tried many times.

 

Comodo

Comodo Internet Security joke i infected my own systems with major pups and malware around a thousands or so.I tested over 14 So called Anti virus programs my self and the one that picked up the most was Comodo Internet Security which is only found 5 issues when scanning.

Malwarebytes is the only true anit virus and malware scanner that really works.It found every single one of the infection i placed.Even so called AVG did find one thing out of the scans i did Hell MacAfee did better than AVG.Microsoft security essentials is suppose to disable the Windows defender on windows ten but it all so has a very low detection rate.And the scans take even longer than Malwarebytes.

I all so used Super Anti Spyware and it did a better job than the anti virus programs.

 

CIS has one of the very highest rated FWs you can find.
It's AV effectiveness compares well with any other.
I've been using CIS on multiple systems for as long Comodo has been in existence, and I have years of experience of using AVG, Avira, Bit Defender and it always compares very well.

As we already know, most users who get spyware and viruses get them via their internet behaviour and there is no full proof software to stop that.

 

Here are two ways to Disable Windows Defender:

1. Download O&O ShutUp10.
   http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/oo_shutup10.html
   It does not require installation.
   Right click the file OOSU10.exe and select Run as Administrator.
   Select everything under the heading Windows Defender and Microsoft Spynet.
   When all of the indicators are Green, Defender is deactivated.
   --
2. You can also disable Defender directly through the Windows Registry.
   Run regedit.exe
   Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
   In the right panel, double click the entry DisableAntiSpyware and change the value to 1
   (that is the numeral 1)
   
   If the value is Not there, right click on the folder name (Windows Defender) and select New and then DWORD (32-bit) Value
   Type in DisableAntiSpyware as the name of the value and enter 1 as the actual value.

When you Restart Windows, Defender will be deactivated.
====

I have also been wondering if Windows Defender "is enough" with Windows 10.
Based on what I've read, there are good arguments both For and Against using Defender.

I have been using Defender with Windows 10 Home 64-bit ver.1607 (Anniversary) for a few weeks now with all options activated.
I have not noticed any high CPU usage with Windows Defender. Often, the CPU is at 0% or less than 1.0%.

The RAM usage at startup is about 4% less, with 8GB of RAM, than what it was when I was running Avast! Free antivirus and Malwarebytes Premium (active).

Currently, I also use Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit free, OpenDNS, Spywareblaster and uBlock Origin in the web browser.

I also added two tasks in Task Scheduler to update Defender signatures, once at system startup and another task repeated every hour.
The Startup task always runs properly but it's hard to tell if the other task always runs as scheduled.
I might also create a task to start Malwarebytes, run a Threat Scan and then quit.
I run occasional scans with Malwarebytes Anti-malware, AdwCleaner and Defender.
So far, none of the scans have found any threats, so this configuration seems to be working well enough.
======

After the Anniversary Update, the current version of Defender is 4.10

The version tested in the latest published results at AV-TEST.org is 4.8.
https://www.av-test.org/en/antivirus/home-windows/windows-10/april-2016/

The version last tested by AV-COMPARATIVES is listed as Microsoft Security Essentials 4.10, which supposedly is the same as Windows Defender.
Unfortunately, as shown on these results, the Microsoft product had the Worst results.
https://www.av-comparatives.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/avc_factsheet2016_10.pdf

Microsoft does not specifically configure Defender to score well in these tests.
According to Microsoft, they focus on protection from malware that is currently circulating and most likely to be encountered by Windows users.

Judging from this article, the only (other) free antivirus that does not install browser toolbars or other extras is the current version of Bitdefender Free 1.0.21.1099.
http://www.howtogeek.com/218675/beware-free-antivirus-isnt-really-free-anymore/

Bitdefender free was also highly rated in this review:
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-antivirus,review-2588-5.html

When I ran a partial test install of Bitdefender Free 1.0.3.9 Beta, it displayed a Software Conflict warning for detected installation of Spywareblaster 5.5.
Spywareblaster has to be Removed before Bitdefender Beta installation!
I did not see a conflict warning with the current version 1.0.21.1099.

Even though BOTH installs were CANCELLED at the first dialog, TWO new system entries were made, probably by the Beta version.

Task Scheduler:

C:\Program Files\bitdefender agent\watchdog.exe
​

Registry Entry:

C:\Program Files\bitdefender agent\productagentservice.exe
​

There was also a popup window that kept appearing mid-screen about Bitdefender.
I do not remember the content. (watchdog ??)
=

 

Nick, I'm biased toward BD as a realtime AV. Its always had great comparative ratings. You can get the current free (beta) here onsite:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/bitdefender_free_edition.html
Its install is tough. I had to uninstall MSE, Spywareblaster, and Superantispyware before it would install. Afterwards, I reinstalled Spywareblaster with no problems. BD is almost a set it and forget it type deal, simple with few interactive options.
I tried it for about a week and discovered it wasn't letting my "folding@home" updates pass. I was getting HTTP server 500 errors. I found on the Stanford site that this was probably an FW or AV issue. I determined it was BD, so I pulled it and got back to normal. BD never reported folding as malware, so I couldn't "exclude" it. If it weren't for this issue, I'd still be running BD. If you try it. but decide later, you don't like it,
use any 2015 uninstall tool tool in safe mode.

 

Os shut up does not work on the Windows defender any more you have to use.

Spybot Anti-Beacon for Windows 10 1.5.0.35
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/spybot_anti_beacon_for_windows_10.html

And shut it off manually.

They disabled the function in the latest windows 10 anniversary update.It can not be shut off unless you do it your self.

 

I just used O&OShutUp10 version 1.4.1385 with Windows 10 Anniversary update installed.
After disabling Defender with O&O and Restarting, Defender was disabled.
I then ran O&O again and Enabled Defender and it worked perfectly.

 

Did you check the back round stuff.

 

Both WinDefend and WdNisSvc services are Stopped.
Windows Defender user interface can not be opened.
Is there something else?

 

Stop Scheduled Tasks
Task Scheduler is a complex tool which runs scheduled scripts and processes on specified time intervals or events. Your app cannot be disabled because one or more tasks are scheduled to run on specified time intervals without user intervention.

1. Type Schedule Tasks in the Search Box on the Taskbar.
2. Open Schedule Tasks from the Search Results.
3. Expand the following nodes from the left hand side panel:
   Task Scheduler (Local) | Task Scheduler Library
4. In the panel on the right, you’ll see a couple of scheduled tasks along with other information like time interval, status triggers, next runtime, last runtime and task author (user/ software publisher depending on who created it).
5. To disable a scheduled task, select it and click the Disable icon in the Actions Panel on the right-hand side.

Use System Configuration Tool
The app you’re attempting to disable may be a part of startup items that load every time your computer boots. Use the MSConfig tool to disable loading all startup items.

1. Type MsConfig in the Search Box on the Taskbar.
2. Open the tool from the Search Results.
3. Click the General tab.
4. Select Selective startup option.
5. Select the Load system services box.
6. Uncheck the Load startup items box.
7. Click Apply | OK.

This is the other stuff that has to be stopped as well.As well with the Group policy editor.You need Pro or enterprise for this option be low.

1. Tap on the Windows-key to open the Start Menu.
2. Type gpedit.msc and hit enter.
3. Confirm the UAC prompt to continue.
4. You find the setting by following this path: Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender.
5. There you find the policy "Turn off Windows Defender".
6. Double-click on the policy.
7. Set the state of the policy to enabled in the window that opens, and click ok to save the change.

There is more info about this.I have mostly all the window 10 info saved.And like i said be for it takes about an hour to completely disable the Windows defender.And you got to realize if you don't manually disable it.When a windows 10 update shows up it might randomly turn it back on.

 

Hey Claw...I was wondering if you had considered bundling whatever you choose a-v wise with VoodooShield. I really like what this program does. Don't get to play with settings in the free edition, but all the power of the program is there, and you have access to white and black lists. Love that this program monitors and white/black lists command lines instances. Now that's cool...

 

Um who are you talking too lol.

 

Nick T. He used to go by Claw on another site LOL...