MSE vs Defender

Currently on my W7x64pro laptop, I have Defender running, but it keeps freaking me out with wanting to restart the computer after every definition update. I *hate* that, and other similar programs (like Avast) can update without having to restart the whole machine. I *hate* that...

So I'm thinking, maybe MSE is more well-behaved and user-friendly in this respect. Any ideas?

And yes, I have updates set to download, but install when I tell it to. Still, it keeps nagging me that the stupid Defender cannot simply install its definition update without re-starting the whole machine. I shut the laptop down less often than once a week.

OppfinnarJocke said:

Currently on my W7x64pro laptop, I have Defender running, but it keeps freaking me out with wanting to restart the computer after every definition update. I *hate* that, and other similar programs (like Avast) can update without having to restart the whole machine. I *hate* that...

So I'm thinking, maybe MSE is more well-behaved and user-friendly in this respect. Any ideas?

And yes, I have updates set to download, but install when I tell it to. Still, it keeps nagging me that the stupid Defender cannot simply install its definition update without re-starting the whole machine. I shut the laptop down less often than once a week.

Well I dont know why you hate that, but MSE is better in that regard. It does update without restart.

Ken

Thanks for all the replies. Will get rid of Defender, ASAP.
As for why I don't like it to prompt me to restart... well, I typically have 20 different apps going at the same time, copy/pasting between them, I hate to close down that and then set it all up again. I order them in the taskbar to my liking and for quick access, and so on. Restarting simply upsets my well-configured work-space, so I do that as seldom as often...

Thanks again.

Jacee said:

Windows Defender is included in MSE, so you can just disable it in Services and not worry about it anymore.

Minor correction, Windows Defender (anti-spyware program) is disabled when you install MSE.

Windows Defender - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

   Information

On September 29, 2009, Microsoft released Microsoft Security Essentials, a freeware anti-malware product. A Microsoft official notice posted earlier on June 23, 2009, on Microsoft community forum indicates that Microsoft Security Essentials supersedes Windows Defender as it covers a broader range of malware. The same notice states that although users do not need to run Windows Defender anymore, both applications can remain installed side-by-side. Current releases of Microsoft Security Essentials automatically turn off Windows Defender on installation

Jacee said:

MSE is a security suite designed for consumers and lacks centralized management features which are found in Microsoft Forefront Client Security. It includes the same anti-malware engine (dubbed "Microsoft Malware Protection Engine", or MSMPENG for short[not in citation given]), and virus definitions that all other Microsoft desktop anti-malware products share, including Forefront Client Security, Windows Live OneCare, and Windows Defender[not in citation given] (Defender excludes the antivirus definitions which are separate from the antispyware definitions).[14] Before installation, MSE checks for the validity of the installed copy of Microsoft Windows. MSE requires no registration or personal information.[15] MSE will disable Windows Defender, as it provides protection against malware, not limited to spyware and adware
Microsoft Security Essentials - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanks, Jacee. Where does that state that Windows Defender is included in MSE?

Also, note the "not in citation given" points to that?

MSE replaces Defender, so you can't really compare the two. Defender also was never really considered an anti-virus program, as it was meant to focus on spyware instead. Just switch to MSE and be done with it.

Thanks for all the replies.

Just to check that I understand this correctly...

MSSE replaces Defender, that's understood, but I also no longer need avast, correct?