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Is Microsoft Security Essentials turning off Windows Defender?

14 years ago

Several months ago I installed MSE. The computer already had Windows Defender on it. Several times since I have gone to update WD only to find it has been turned off. Each time I turn it on again. Is MSE turning it off?

I heard once that when MSE is installed it automatically deletes WD since thier functions overlap. That didn't happen with my installation. Should I permanentlly delete WD? How -- control panel > add/delete?

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Comments (5)

exgm
14 years ago

Second Q&A here
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
14 years ago
I was just reading an article by Ryan Russell in a Window's Secrets newsletter in that article he states
quote:
"Installing MSE will uninstall or disable Windows Defender and take over its duties."
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Thanks raven. I looked at the first link you provided and I don't see anything that resembles what I had. So I still have a question. As I recall what popped up on my screen was something that looked like it came from Microsoft, said the computer was infected with a virus, and warned not to shut the computer off. It told me I should click to start the antivirus program. The first time it happened--when I fell for it--I assumed that it would run Windows Defender. My question is, then, does Microsoft ever do this? That is, if indeed I get a virus in the midst of searching the web, is there ever a legitimate Microsoft warning that pops up telling you not to shut the computer down and to click to run a scan? If not, then there's no problem with trying to find out what's legit and what is not. With whatever I got it was truly hard to tell. Thanks!
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Just now start happening ? Did you try a restore point to before this started happening ? Think I might startup once in safe mode. Then if it still does it on the next regular start up I would download a new copy of Windows Security Essentials. Uninstall it ... reboot... open and close the browsers and explorer and maybe a few things, another words exercise it a little, before restarting computer and installing it again. Might as well wait a little while though... windows monthly updates come out today at about 10am Pacific time. This post was edited by mikie on Tue, Mar 12, 13 at 7:27
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I would not use that program, I would do as stated and install the free malwarebytes, update it and run a full scan and let it clean what it finds. usually when a program is not allowed to run on a pc and it is a security program it is because there is an infection on the pc which prevents them from running so it will not be detected. I would add malwarebytes to the pc you say will not run superantispyware also. If you are unable to run these programs also that is confirmation you have an infection stopping the security programs. If that is the case you will need to go to a security support forum for some in depth assistance. Once you have done the malwarebytes scan and let it clean please come back and inform us of the results, posting the log would be helpful. the game itself may contain the infection which is why it won't allow you to remove it.
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shboom
14 years ago
Just as an aside to this those running AVG 9 at Microsoft's request... AVG will turn off Windows Defender as well.

Bob
maime
14 years ago
If you can find a way to uninstall/delete windows defender please let me know. I could not do that nor could I reinstall it.
zep516
14 years ago
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/support.mspx

And,

Windows Vista is an operating system made by Microsoft which contains a built in malware protection tool called Windows Defender, which can also be downloaded and run as a stand alone service for Windows XP. Windows Defender is a part of the Vista operating system, so it cannot be removed without risking total failure of the operating system. Hence, for Vista users, Defender should be disabled if it's services are not needed. In Windows XP, the stand alone install of Defender can be uninstalled normally.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4881875_uninstall-windows-defender-manually.html

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