I just bought a lap top with W 8 and I am using Windows Defender which came with the PC. Someone in the help forum said a few months ago it's very much like MS security essentials. Of all of the antivirus programs I am used I like MSE the best and so far Windows Defender. I copied this from a search I did.

"Windows Defender in Windows 8 resembles Microsoft Security Essentials and uses the same virus definitions."

Windows Defender is already on your computer as EmmaR notes and does a fine job. I have no other protection on mine..

Your adverts are nothing to do with Win 8, install Adblock Plus on which ever browser you are using.

Use the Norton Removal Tool to get rid of Norton

On my W 7 computer I am using MSE and it does an automatic virus scan at night, I changed that to a time during the day. I just remember I have not done that on my laptop yet.

I cannot find a schedule setting for WD to run. I am assuming I have to run the scans manually. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

This post was edited by EmmaR on Mon, Sep 23, 13 at 11:08

There is no option for auto scanning with WD in W 8. I will just do it manually.

Try AVG or one of the other free antivirus product offerings. In competitive testing and product assessments, AVG tends to earn a higher effectiveness rating than Microsoft Security Essentials.

YUP, but they all are really close.

No matter what you decide to do be sure to use something, and that something should be one of the mainstream offerings.

DA

How to set up your auto scan of Windows Defender in Windows 8

I don't have that option on my W 8 PC. I found another MS site that that said that was old outdated information and said the only way you can schedule auto scanning is to set it up through Task Scheduling and those instructions were completely lost on me.

Hmm, sorry about the misinformation above. I assumed mine was running every 2 weeks the same as it does with Windows 7. It was not but is set up now. We should never assume! Lesson learned until next time.

'Ere we go then, try this one. It works 'cos I have just set mine up

Thanks owbist

Thanks everyone for your help. I can't seem to remember all the stuff I had installed and what the actual names of products I used are....brain freeze! I was using AVG and liked it lots. I think I will give the Windows Defender a try. I will set up the auto scan as well.

I installed win8 about a month after it was officially released, so I've had it since November or December 2012. It's never had java installed and uses the default windows defender for its anti-virus.

I've scanned maybe 4 times with other on demand anti-virus/spyware and rootkit programs since installed. Hasn't had a single virus or even a single spyware.

Mikie I had a trojan on my new laptop. I was a little fluster before I downloaded the shell and I downloaded it or something from Cnet knowing it has a bad reputation. I watched closely for something to uncheck but there was nothing. The rest of the stuff I downloaded from sites I always use so it had to come from Cnet. I had a tool bar of some kind that came right off and the trojan. Malwarebytes found 20 of the pup stuff that malwarebytes did not like. It's clean now