Windows 7: Is Windows Defender necessary???

I let Windows 7 Pro 64 update a bunch of windows files via Windows Update... including Windows Defender.

Windows Defender now seems to think my KPT5 Photoshop Plugin filter is evil... and has (I think) been causing chaos with my Photoshop program....



So, I turned it off.

Is that ok?

And if it is ok, can I get rid of them message with the 'red x' in my taskbar saying there is a PC issue that needs resolved? Which takes me to the Windows Defender area and says I should turn it 'on.'

What do you think?

Thanks.

I think you're crippling most of your malware protection, what other anti-malware programs are you using?

Well I am using Kasperky Internet Security 2011. Do you think that is sufficient? Or should I turn Defender back on? Thanks! :-)

I think we need all the antivirus help we can get, especially some native Windows 7 protection. Seems to me this is much more important than any particular photoshop app. Perhaps you can uninstall the photoshop app and reinstall it --- maybe the 2nd install will not conflict with Windows Defender --- and if it does, you can always find another picture editing app. There are plenty of great free ones out there!

Ummm.... I'm a graphic designer.... nothing short of Photoshop will work in my profession. But I did re-install PS and it seems to be working now - thanks! I'll turn Defender on and see if it burns me.

Defender might conflict with KIS in the future, or even now.

No offence intended, but are you seriously saying he should ditch a £600 application so he can keep Windows Defender running on his system? If you have an AV app installed you don't need Defender.

Thanks guys.... I probably didn't go into detail quite enough: but I'm a graphic designer and Photoshop is the tool of my trade.... I've googled "Is Windows Defender Necessary" and I came across several articles by computer guru's and the consensus seems to be that Windows Defender is of the Devil.... and that it can be (and probably should be) turned off in favor of a good anti-virus/internet security third party program. I'm going to go that route and see how that serves me.... does that sound reasonable? Thanks for all your input - I sincerely appreciate it.

I don't know how well it will work with your present set up, but have you considered trying to run MSE? It incorporates Defenders functions with an AV. Might want to give it a try & see how that works for you.....

Its not of the devil. Defender has been improved over time just like most security apps over time.
I think the consensus is many other free 3rd party apps are better to much better