Is Windows Defender necessary?? --SOLVED--

Not a huge fan of WD...but it's there so we use it.
We also use the paid version of MalewareBytes and free Avast.

Well, in February, we had to turn off Windows update on a Win7 laptop.
It ran and ran and ran [wuaserv, I think] and made the computer run very slowly.
Windows Defender kept running.
Now, 6 months later, WD shut down and will not open again.....I can get the error code if it is really needed.

QUESTION:
With a real AV and Malwarebytes, is Windows Defender redundant....or worse.
Should it be uninstalled?




UPDATE
After trying a few things...and getting no results, it was suggested the A/V may be blocking it.
And, sure enough....remove it and Windows Defender works fine.
Thanks for all the info and input, guys!!!!

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe
Disable Windows Defender In Windows 7 (Scroll down the page a little)

It always scares me when someone says "real" AV. lol.

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe
No. There are free Internet Security Suites that do at least as good a job (if not better) . Myself , I have been using Comodo's ISS for about 15 years now.
ISS = firewall , antivirus , sandbox, etc.

Oops , kinda missed the question there

QUESTION: With a real AV and Malwarebytes, is Windows Defender redundant....or worse. Should it be uninstalled?

If all you have is an antivirus and malewarebytes (malewarebytes is excellent , but only after you think you have contracted a virus) I would say no. Leave Defender up and running.

a reply to: Gothmog

On the laptop, Windows Defender stopped and cannot be restarted.

And, paid malwarebytes does offer real-time protection.
We are pretty happy with Avast free....
And, FWIW, I had a bad experience with Comodo some years ago.....so I avoid it, and don't remember any details....it's been blocked from my memory bank

a reply to: Klassified

So, in your opinion, nothing else is needed??
I haven't used a 3rd party firewall in years....and have no idea if they are needed.

And....LOL at your "real" AV LOL

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

DTOM, I use Microsoft Security Essentials which combines with Windows Defender.

I find I don't need anything else on my machines for it to work very well.

~Tenth

You should only run one AV system, windows defender is designed to go to sleep when another AV system takes over as it is really just designed as a most basic of systems to protect you.

The technical reasons of why running only one AV are boring (like most tech stuff is).

originally posted by: DontTreadOnMe
a reply to: Klassified

So, in your opinion, nothing else is needed??
I haven't used a 3rd party firewall in years....and have no idea if they are needed.

And....LOL at your "real" AV LOL

What Tenth said...

Also, if you're going to use Avast, turn off the the extraneous bloatware like the firewall, sandbox, and internet addons. Avast used to be a good anti-virus, and still is mostly, if you turn off the crap they now package with it.

a reply to: tothetenthpower

Well, on the laptop....Windows Defender will not start.
So, MSE is out of the question.

Also....Windows Defender is not a firewall at all, correct?
Does Windows still have some default firewall, separate from MSE?????

originally posted by: Klassified
Also, if you're going to use Avast, turn off the the extraneous bloatware like the firewall, sandbox, and internet addons. Avast used to be a good anti-virus, and still is mostly, if you turn off the crap they now package with it.

Good idea!!!
Especially those addons!!!

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

I also use MalwareBytes, excellent program.

Not too sure about WD though but it works in Win 8 fine.

Avast i was told not to use it due to various reasons one of which was, it's just not as good at it used to be.

Avira i'm testing right now, so far so good, however if you don't buy the speed up after testing it free of charge, it does seem to slow things down somewhat.

originally posted by: DontTreadOnMe
a reply to: tothetenthpower

Well, on the laptop....Windows Defender will not start.
So, MSE is out of the question.

Also....Windows Defender is not a firewall at all, correct?
Does Windows still have some default firewall, separate from MSE?????

Why is MSE out of the question? It does not depend on Defender in Windows 7. It is a separate entity. So MSE and Mbytes will work fine together.

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

Don't know myself... I just leave it there.... It's integral within windows itself and catchs things once in awhile I didn't catch.

Also have ccleaner and malewarebytes... I'd leave it... as it's catching anyway

a reply to: Klassified

Well, what's wrong with Avast?
Just asking


FTR, will MSE run if Updates are turned off?
TBH...I have no idea how MSE works....or where to turn it on.

And....here is the error message for Windows Defender

Error Code: 0x800704ec: windows defender won't turn on

a reply to: mysterioustranger

I just dl ccleaner and it absolutely fixed everything!

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

If you re-install MSE from the Microsoft website then it should make it so that Defender runs but won't load because it's working in the background of MSE.

Windows Defender features were rolled into the MSE general userface a while back but it still shows up as a separate Applications.

originally posted by: DontTreadOnMe
a reply to: Klassified

Well, what's wrong with Avast?
Just asking

FTR, will MSE run if Updates are turned off?
TBH...I have no idea how MSE works....or where to turn it on.

And....here is the error message for Windows Defender

Error Code: 0x800704ec: windows defender won't turn on

Avast is fine as long as you turn off the features I mentioned. Otherwise, it's a resource hog, and causes issues in the system. Which is why I quit using it.

Windows Defender(W7 version) is turned off in group policy by either infections, or because you have A/V and malwarebytes installed. In your case, I'd say it's the latter, and you're just fine. Don't worry about it.

You don't "turn on" MSE. You install it. Yes it will run with Windows updates turned off. In your case, you already have Avast, so I wouldn't bother with MSE unless Avast starts causing issues.

The best way to configure Avast is in Programs and Features. Double click it as though you are going to uninstall it. Then click change instead, and uncheck the features you don't want such as those already mentioned, and also "Avast SafeZone".

originally posted by: Klassified
Windows Defender(W7 version) is turned off in group policy by either infections, or because you have A/V and malwarebytes installed. In your case, I'd say it's the latter, and you're just fine. Don't worry about it.

Oddly, it worked just fine a day or so ago

From what I have read Windows Defender is only there for certain virus. It is not designed to be all in compassing type anti virus software. This article can explain it for you.
www.poweradmin.com...

I only use the free versions of Avast and Malwarebytes. I haven't had any malware issues in almost 10 years.