Solved Is windows defender necessary?

[lffoar]

Hi all,
I'm running W7 64bit with Avast free edition, Malwarebytes, SuperAntiSpyware and Spywareblaster. I do weekly scans with the above and CCleaner and although I've had a couple of gremlins from time to time, have mainly been OK. My question is: Is it necessary/advisable to have windows defender running? It updates regularly, supposedly runs in the background??, but is it needed or just another unnecessary
M$ troll?

 

[marsmimar]

If you have another full anti-malware suite installed (containing both anti-virus and anti-spyware) then Windows defender is not needed. When I installed Microsoft Security Essentials it automatically disabled Windows Defender. I'm not sure if other anti-malware suites will do the same or if you have to manually disable Windows Defender. Some Microsoft articles with more information.

Windows Defender - Microsoft Windows

Turn Windows Defender on or off

Antivirus software and Windows Defender - Microsoft Community

 

[Layback Bear]

I'm surprised Avast didn't turn Defender off.

 

[alikhan]

Windows Defender is an anti-spyware program, it won't protect you against viruses. It's OK but not the best anti-spyware program there is.
It is better to turn it off as it will reduced the memory usage.

 

[lffoar]

Thanks for the input guys.....have turned the little bugger off! Layback Bear, nope Avast doesn't interfere in any way with WD operation.

 

[Jacee]

Did you disable it through "services"? that's the best way to handle this app, rather than using "msconfig".

 

[Alejandro85]

I'm surprised Avast didn't turn Defender off.

Good programs NEVER tamper with someone else settings. At least not without proper warnings and explicit user consent.

 

[lffoar]

Jacee, yep did it through services.