[PCWorld]

Post your comments for How to activate Windows Defender in Windows 8 here

[safasdfafsf]

Windows Defender works great for me. In fact, it's so flawless, I almost forget it's there. I haven't had to mess with it once.

[jeneastonvdr6]

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Windows Defender works great for me. In fact, it's so flawless, I almost forget it's there. I haven't had to mess with it once.

The only issue is that Microsoft Security Essentials (which Defender is based on) failed the latest AV-test mostly because of it's inability to catch any zero-day malware.

http://download.cnet...latest-av-test/

Though Defender is suppose to be a bit better than MSE, until they start showing some improvement there, I wouldn't be able to sleep easy.

[max999]

test 123

[NoVendorLockIn]

I wish Windows Defender would stop the annoying Windows 8 requests by Microsoft to create a Microsoft Account after you have already told it "No."

[ReadandShare]

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Windows Defender works great for me. In fact, it's so flawless, I almost forget it's there. I haven't had to mess with it once. The only issue is that Microsoft Security Essentials (which Defender is based on) failed the latest AV-test mostly because of it's inability to catch any zero-day malware. http://download.cnet...latest-av-test/ Though Defender is suppose to be a bit better than MSE, until they start showing some improvement there, I wouldn't be able to sleep easy.

Yeah, I read the report as well. Dismal performance.

But then, I've been using the stock Windows Firewall and Windows Security Essentials on my Win 7 for almost two years now. Same as the user above, WSE is so unobtrusive that you often forget it's even there! And yet, no malware has ever penetrated. Am I 100% sure? No, but I do scan occasionally with 3rd party scanners (such as ESET online scanner) -- and nothing bad has ever been found.

Back in the Win XP days, I used Zone Alarm firewall and AVG antimalware. With Win 7, I don't bother anymore.

[ReadandShare]

"The missing Start menu will drive some people nuts"

I read this a lot, but I just don't get it.

Win 95 all the way to Win 7 -- you have to click "Start" to reach your icons and Control Panel and History and stuff like that. With Win 8, there is no Start button because your app icons and 'charms' are already there -- on the screen!

I've been a DOS / Windows user all my computing life. When I first used my Android tablet, there is no start button either -- because it's NOT needed -- because the icons are on the screen already! I've never missed not having the Start button.

So what's the big hang up???

[DanglingPointer]

ReadandShare

[DanglingPointer]

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"The missing Start menu will drive some people nuts" I read this a lot, but I just don't get it. Win 95 all the way to Win 7 -- you have to click "Start" to reach your icons and Control Panel and History and stuff like that. With Win 8, there is no Start button because your app icons and 'charms' are already there -- on the screen! I've been a DOS / Windows user all my computing life. When I first used my Android tablet, there is no start button either -- because it's NOT needed -- because the icons are on the screen already! I've never missed not having the Start button. So what's the big hang up???

ReadandShare, some most people don't like the change at all.

Other people don't want to learn stuff because they are lazy.

Some people try convincing other people that by spreading chaos "its complicated", "I bought it and returned it after 1 week", "it crash", "it sucks", "there are security vulnerably" and much more.

The best way to decide it to give it a try on your system for few days and if you don't like it move on to something else and let others make their own impression.

There is nothing like unbiased analysis in gadget world.

[biginc]

When I try to activate Windows Defender, I get a box saying "If you're using another app to check for malicious or unwanted software, use Action Center to check that app's status. My computer came with McAfee trial installed. Any ideas? or if I uninstall McAfee, will that solve my problem?

[compnovo]

biginc, on 15 December 2012 - 07:05 AM, said:

When I try to activate Windows Defender, I get a box saying "If you're using another app to check for malicious or unwanted software, use Action Center to check that app's status. My computer came with McAfee trial installed. Any ideas? or if I uninstall McAfee, will that solve my problem?

That will probably solve the problem. It is considered bad practice to have two AVs running at the same time (they tend to fight with each other).

This post has been edited by compnovo: 15 December 2012 - 07:53 AM

[berock212]

Windows defender works great, It actually caught a Trojan that could have infected my computer.

[djnforce9]

Windows Defender works well for me as well. It is basically a merge between the original Windows Defender (from Windows 7 and earlier) with Microsoft's Security Essentials. No need to purchase separate Ant-virus software any longer and more importantly, computers are secured by default meaning that the less tech savvy are not likely to go about their business without an anti-virus because they did not realize they needed to install one separately. It's already there!

Also, isn't Windows Defender on by default in Windows 8? I don't remember having to follow any steps to explicitly turn it on.

[mseyf]

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The only issue is that Microsoft Security Essentials (which Defender is based on) failed the latest AV-test mostly because of it's inability to catch any zero-day malware. http://download.cnet...latest-av-test/ Though Defender is suppose to be a bit better than MSE, until they start showing some improvement there, I wouldn't be able to sleep easy.

User behavior is probably more important in preventing infection than which security package you use. If a user frequents sketchy sites and clicks on every link offered, the chance of infection skyrockets no matter what security package is installed.

[EBO050966]

Just activated Defender on my new Samsung laptop but Samsung SW update keeps giving me option to reactivate bundled Norton. A bit of a pain to reactivate Defender but got their in the end. Going to install 8 System Builder 64 bit on main desktop machine & stick with Defender & I.E. 10 & see how things go.

[mrdazjones]

I like to have avast and WD running simultaneously, have done for quite sometime on my win7 laptop. Howeber since uninstalling the packaged Norton, and installing Avast I am unable to start WD, any suggestions?

[mrdazjones]

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I like to have avast and WD running simultaneously, have done for quite sometime on my win7 laptop. Howeber since uninstalling the packaged Norton, and installing Avast I am unable to start WD, any suggestions?

I should add that I just bought a new W8 laptop.

[bevaau]

I have a new computer with Windows 8 that came loaded with a heap of Norton 'stuff'. I cannot turn on Windows Defender - Control Panel - Security - offers no mention of it (that I can see) and Search - Apps - Windows Defender - only says 'Windows Defender is turned off' and offers no way to access it to 'turn it on'.
Any suggestions?

[WinTard]

bevaau, on 31 December 2012 - 08:56 PM, said:

I have a new computer with Windows 8 that came loaded with a heap of Norton 'stuff'. I cannot turn on Windows Defender - Control Panel - Security - offers no mention of it (that I can see) and Search - Apps - Windows Defender - only says 'Windows Defender is turned off' and offers no way to access it to 'turn it on'.
Any suggestions?

Unfortunately, Norton is the virus. Or is malware at the very least, since they purposely make it so hard to uninstall. But it is possible.

• First thing to do is to Google uninstall norton:
  
• REBOOT!
• Verify Norton is gone, with all the accompanying crapware. It usually leaves some Symantec/Norton stuff like auto-updaters etc... If not entirely clean from this bloatware, go back to step 1 and 2, until finally disinfected clean.
• REBOOT again! Why not it only takes six to twelve seconds or so on a clean Windows 8 system. Even a low-end one.
• Go into Start Menu (lower left corner) and type Windows Defender (as administrator meaning login with your admin account, not the regular non-admin one)
• Click onto the filtered search results (Windows Defender application)
• Navigate to {settings}
• Checkmark Turn on real-time protection (recommended) and save changes then you're done!
  

The most difficult part will be to uninstall the bloat-crap-malware from Norton.

Good luck, and Happy New Year everybody!

PS: a properly configured Windows 8 system will cold boot in six to twelve seconds, from initial power-on of the system. Anything above that mark is caused by bloat-crap-ware. Unfortunately.

~~~~~~~~~~
A computer is a stupid machine with the ability to do incredibly smart things, while computer programmers are smart people with the ability to do incredibly stupid things. They are, in short, a perfect match.
~ Some computer science & electrical engineering literate

The words of truth are always paradoxical.
~ Lao Tzu, Philosopher of Ancient China around ~ 600 BCE

Theory is when you know something, but it doesn't work. Practice is when something works, but you don't know why. Programmers combine theory and practice: Nothing works and they don't know why.
~ A practical theorist

The only constant is change.
~ Confucius, Chinese Thinker and Social Philosopher 551 BC ~ 479 BC

[bevaau]

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bevaau said
I have a new computer with Windows 8 that came loaded with a heap of Norton 'stuff'. I cannot turn on Windows Defender - Control Panel - Security - offers no mention of it (that I can see) and Search - Apps - Windows Defender - only says 'Windows Defender is turned off' and offers no way to access it to 'turn it on'. Any suggestions? Unfortunately, Norton is the virus. Or is malware at the very least, since they purposely make it so hard to uninstall. But it is possible. [list=1][*]First thing to do is to Google https://encrypted.go...ton&sclient=psy-ab: [ ]REBOOT![ ]Verify Norton is gone, with all the accompanying crapware. It usually leaves some Symantec/Norton stuff like auto-updaters etc... If not entirely clean from this bloatware, go back to step 1 and 2, until finally disinfected clean.[ ]REBOOT again! Why not it only takes six to twelve seconds or so on a clean Windows 8 system. Even a low-end one.[ ]Go into Start Menu (lower left corner) and type Windows Defender (as administrator meaning login with your admin account, not the regular non-admin one)[ ]Click onto the filtered search results (Windows Defender application)[ ]Navigate to {settings}[*]Checkmark Turn on real-time protection (recommended) and save changes then you're done! The most difficult part will be to uninstall the bloat-crap-malware from Norton. Good luck, and Happy New Year everybody! PS: a properly configured Windows 8 system will cold boot in six to twelve seconds, from initial power-on of the system. Anything above that mark is caused by bloat-crap-ware. Unfortunately. ~~~~~~~~~~ A computer is a stupid machine with the ability to do incredibly smart things, while computer programmers are smart people with the ability to do incredibly stupid things. They are, in short, a perfect match. ~ Some computer science & electrical engineering literate The words of truth are always paradoxical. ~ Lao Tzu, Philosopher of Ancient China around ~ 600 BCE Theory is when you know something, but it doesn't work. Practice is when something works, but you don't know why. Programmers combine theory and practice: Nothing works and they don't know why. ~ A practical theorist The only constant is change. ~ Confucius, Chinese Thinker and Social Philosopher 551 BC ~ 479 BC