Just started using Windows Defender as my AV

overseer · 01-09-13 at 01:19 PM

and right from the get go, it's a pain in the ass.

I'm using just what comes with Windows 8.
It detected two threats. They are related to Windows activation I believe, I downloaded the OS from this website. And the problem is, I can't do anything. If I select "Quarantine" or "Allow" and apply it will just stay applying the actions forever and won't finish. If I just leave everything I'll get that annoying red x in the taskbar.

Is there any way to get this program to just ignore this? Or should I just use another AV?

**robbo0000** · 01-09-13 at 01:22 PM

I just installed Advanced SystemCare ( free version ) and it automatically shut down defender :)

I have 100% control now of all files it picks up :)

Code: Select All

http://www.iobit.com/ascdownload-promo.html

**ndemars18** · 01-09-13 at 02:05 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by robbo0000

I just installed Advanced SystemCare ( free version ) and it automatically shut down defender :)

I have 100% control now of all files it picks up :)

Code: Select All

http://www.iobit.com/ascdownload-promo.html

Ive had the full paid version of ASC since it first came out. Highly recommended

**TheChaosLegion** · 01-09-13 at 02:43 PM

Despite what people may say, MSE/Windows Defender is useless. I've pulled more viruses off of computers that had only that installed than any other AV product.

Microsoft's AV solution is no solution at all.

**elitists** · 01-09-13 at 04:29 PM

Lose defender and try Microsoft security essentials instead. It's free on MS site.

Joe42 · 01-09-13 at 04:31 PM

I've been using MSE for a few years now and haven't had any problems. My mom's computer also has MSE and she's only had a few infections that came from bad ad providers on some of her news sites. MSE didn't even trigger on those. I guess I need to work on her Adblock Plus filters.

I chose MSE because PC World (I think it was them) did a comparison of the 10 best free anti-malware apps and MSE came out number 1. This was a few years ago though.

TechRadar did a review of it for 2012 and said in their testing, MSE 2.1.11160 has below average detection rates. They conclude AVG Free 2012 is their best pick.

Code: Select All

http://www.techradar.com/us/news/software/applications/best-free-antivirus-9-reviewed-and-rated-1057786/1#articleContent

Personally I hate AVG cause it nags the hell out of the user. That's why I quit using it. Same with Avira.

Here's another reference, The Best Free Antivirus for 2012.

Code: Select All

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388652,00.asp

anothadave · 01-10-13 at 02:31 AM

wierd, i switched to AVG because it nagged less lol. been using it a couple years now and barely know its there. when its first installed you get a couple adverts but just tick the "dont show again" box and thats it.

wouldnt use windows defender on its own, but in combination with AVG and Malwarebytes they all seem to do the job. also run adaware and exterminateit occasionally to see if theyve missed anything.

thumper1 · 01-10-13 at 02:54 AM

I have been using Panda global for 5 years now on 3 computers and never had a problem It stopped windows defender and it works good for me.

overseer · 01-11-13 at 05:07 AM

I think I'm going to just ditch it.
Look for KIS on sale again for $20 or just use AVG.

DanielX · 01-11-13 at 05:46 AM

To those who recommend MSE (or any other AV), and state that it works because they haven't had any problems with it, how do you know? Have you done a comparison with several other AVs on the same machine for a long while? Because not having problems with an AV doesn't say a whole lot. For all I know, you aren't aware of how much has slipped passed MSE (or any other particular AV you're currently using), while an other AV would've stopped those threats.

This is an open question to anyone who praises a particular AV by the way. I'm just curious how people come to their conclusions.

Zero_Desu · 01-11-13 at 05:54 AM

Malwarebytes is quite good.

And windows AV is terrible, won't do anything.

Joe42 · 01-11-13 at 12:06 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DanielX

To those who recommend MSE (or any other AV), and state that it works because they haven't had any problems with it, how do you know? Have you done a comparison with several other AVs on the same machine for a long while? Because not having problems with an AV doesn't say a whole lot. For all I know, you aren't aware of how much has slipped passed MSE (or any other particular AV you're currently using), while an other AV would've stopped those threats.

This is an open question to anyone who praises a particular AV by the way. I'm just curious how people come to their conclusions.

I've used several different free and retail cracked AV apps over the years. I've also ran without any protection for several years. I've had little to no infections while using any particular app or even when I went unprotected. At the same time, I've seen just about every one of them miss some things on other people's computers. Certainly none of them are worth paying for, and they all miss things so it comes down to personal preference I suppose.

As I said in my previous post, I chose MSE because it was highly rated at the time. I still use it because it doesn't pester me to death and it provides what little protection I might need and unlike some other apps, it doesn't use much ram or cpu power. It also doesn't quarantine cracks and keygens constantly like some others, and it doesn't interfere with my gaming or other activities.

Avira and AVG both nagged me constantly to upgrade, so I dropped them. Maybe they've stopped doing that, but I'm not going back. With both I also had to constantly white list keygens and cracks.

I'd rather not have to micromanage my own computer. I have better things to do.

I mostly credit my use of Firefox with Adblock Plus, Flashblock, Ghostery, NoScript, and CookieSafe extensions with keeping my system clean. I use PeerBlock to stop tons of unneeded connections. I also use Spybot's Hosts list along with a few custom entries.

BTW, to anyone using it, Windows Defender sucks really bad and most everyone knows it.

aaronmb · 01-12-13 at 03:34 AM

Been using Malwarebytes for years and highly recommend it. I was using Avast, then switched to MSE, then back to Avast. I feel more comfortable with Avast, since there's more features/settings, as does Malwarebytes. I also use Iobit as an extra.

CloudDice · 01-12-13 at 10:47 PM

Windows defender is pretty much useless, but I still use it on a VERY old machine. lol
Lets just say your still running an old 1ghz 512mbs ram system on today's web.
Run Windows Defender / Windows Firewall / Malwarebytes pro / Spyware Blaster / Advanced systemcare / Auslogics Boostspeed / Newest Firefox and addons AdBlock Plus,(in US-Easylist/fanboys list/fanboys tracking list/peter lowe's list) No Script, Ghostery, lastpass. Finally be careful on what you download! and if your not sure sandboxie it.
If anything REALLY bad hits, Your gonna have to re-install OS anyway...

01-09-13 at 01:22 PM	#2
robbo0000 ¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º> Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sydney Posts: 3,408	I just installed Advanced SystemCare ( free version ) and it automatically shut down defender :) I have 100% control now of all files it picks up :) Code: Select All http://www.iobit.com/ascdownload-promo.html Last edited by robbo0000; 01-09-13 at 01:27 PM.

01-09-13 at 02:05 PM	#3
ndemars18 d(-_-)b Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: d(-_-)b Posts: 1,605	Quote: Originally Posted by robbo0000 I just installed Advanced SystemCare ( free version ) and it automatically shut down defender :) I have 100% control now of all files it picks up :) Code: Select All http://www.iobit.com/ascdownload-promo.html Ive had the full paid version of ASC since it first came out. Highly recommended

01-09-13 at 04:31 PM	#6
Joe42 Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 420	I've been using MSE for a few years now and haven't had any problems. My mom's computer also has MSE and she's only had a few infections that came from bad ad providers on some of her news sites. MSE didn't even trigger on those. I guess I need to work on her Adblock Plus filters. I chose MSE because PC World (I think it was them) did a comparison of the 10 best free anti-malware apps and MSE came out number 1. This was a few years ago though. TechRadar did a review of it for 2012 and said in their testing, MSE 2.1.11160 has below average detection rates. They conclude AVG Free 2012 is their best pick. Code: Select All http://www.techradar.com/us/news/software/applications/best-free-antivirus-9-reviewed-and-rated-1057786/1#articleContent Personally I hate AVG cause it nags the hell out of the user. That's why I quit using it. Same with Avira. Here's another reference, The Best Free Antivirus for 2012. Code: Select All http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388652,00.asp Last edited by Joe42; 01-09-13 at 04:33 PM.

01-11-13 at 12:06 PM	#12
Joe42 Apprentice Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 420	Quote: Originally Posted by DanielX To those who recommend MSE (or any other AV), and state that it works because they haven't had any problems with it, how do you know? Have you done a comparison with several other AVs on the same machine for a long while? Because not having problems with an AV doesn't say a whole lot. For all I know, you aren't aware of how much has slipped passed MSE (or any other particular AV you're currently using), while an other AV would've stopped those threats. This is an open question to anyone who praises a particular AV by the way. I'm just curious how people come to their conclusions. I've used several different free and retail cracked AV apps over the years. I've also ran without any protection for several years. I've had little to no infections while using any particular app or even when I went unprotected. At the same time, I've seen just about every one of them miss some things on other people's computers. Certainly none of them are worth paying for, and they all miss things so it comes down to personal preference I suppose. As I said in my previous post, I chose MSE because it was highly rated at the time. I still use it because it doesn't pester me to death and it provides what little protection I might need and unlike some other apps, it doesn't use much ram or cpu power. It also doesn't quarantine cracks and keygens constantly like some others, and it doesn't interfere with my gaming or other activities. Avira and AVG both nagged me constantly to upgrade, so I dropped them. Maybe they've stopped doing that, but I'm not going back. With both I also had to constantly white list keygens and cracks. I'd rather not have to micromanage my own computer. I have better things to do. I mostly credit my use of Firefox with Adblock Plus, Flashblock, Ghostery, NoScript, and CookieSafe extensions with keeping my system clean. I use PeerBlock to stop tons of unneeded connections. I also use Spybot's Hosts list along with a few custom entries. BTW, to anyone using it, Windows Defender sucks really bad and most everyone knows it. Last edited by Joe42; 01-11-13 at 12:10 PM.

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01-09-13 at 02:43 PM	#4
TheChaosLegion Chaos Master Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: The Ultimate Dimension Posts: 985	Despite what people may say, MSE/Windows Defender is useless. I've pulled more viruses off of computers that had only that installed than any other AV product. Microsoft's AV solution is no solution at all.

01-09-13 at 04:29 PM	#5
elitists Elite Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,151	Lose defender and try Microsoft security essentials instead. It's free on MS site.

01-10-13 at 02:31 AM	#7
anothadave Apprentice Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 319	wierd, i switched to AVG because it nagged less lol. been using it a couple years now and barely know its there. when its first installed you get a couple adverts but just tick the "dont show again" box and thats it. wouldnt use windows defender on its own, but in combination with AVG and Malwarebytes they all seem to do the job. also run adaware and exterminateit occasionally to see if theyve missed anything.

01-11-13 at 05:07 AM	#9
overseer Newcomer Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 78	I think I'm going to just ditch it. Look for KIS on sale again for $20 or just use AVG.

01-11-13 at 05:46 AM	#10
DanielX Newcomer Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 68	To those who recommend MSE (or any other AV), and state that it works because they haven't had any problems with it, how do you know? Have you done a comparison with several other AVs on the same machine for a long while? Because not having problems with an AV doesn't say a whole lot. For all I know, you aren't aware of how much has slipped passed MSE (or any other particular AV you're currently using), while an other AV would've stopped those threats. This is an open question to anyone who praises a particular AV by the way. I'm just curious how people come to their conclusions.

01-11-13 at 05:54 AM	#11
Zero_Desu Apprentice Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Holy Empire Posts: 322	Malwarebytes is quite good. And windows AV is terrible, won't do anything.

01-12-13 at 03:34 AM	#13
aaronmb Newcomer Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 27	Been using Malwarebytes for years and highly recommend it. I was using Avast, then switched to MSE, then back to Avast. I feel more comfortable with Avast, since there's more features/settings, as does Malwarebytes. I also use Iobit as an extra.

01-12-13 at 10:47 PM	#14
CloudDice Newcomer Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hmm, Good Question Posts: 23	Windows defender is pretty much useless, but I still use it on a VERY old machine. lol Lets just say your still running an old 1ghz 512mbs ram system on today's web. Run Windows Defender / Windows Firewall / Malwarebytes pro / Spyware Blaster / Advanced systemcare / Auslogics Boostspeed / Newest Firefox and addons AdBlock Plus,(in US-Easylist/fanboys list/fanboys tracking list/peter lowe's list) No Script, Ghostery, lastpass. Finally be careful on what you download! and if your not sure sandboxie it. If anything REALLY bad hits, Your gonna have to re-install OS anyway...