Removing alerts for Windows Defender updates only

[SevenOfNine]

Like most people, I don't rely solely on Windows Defender and thus I use a separate third-party antivirus product. I run both real-time and on-demand scans using the third-party antivirus product.

As a secondary precaution, I run Windows Defender on-demand scans, but don't use it's real-time protection.

Thus the only time I need the Windows Defender definitions updated are before I use it to run an on-demand scan.

Like many people, I have Windows Update set to show updates as soon as they become available, but prompt before downloading them.

The frequent alerts about Windows Updates that are really only Windows Defender definition updates are a time waster. Each time, I have to go into Windows Update to see if there was an urgent Windows Update, or just another Windows Defender definitions update.

I would like to continue to be notified of all Windows Updates, but not be annoyed by Windows Defender definition updates. I would like the Windows Defender definition updates to be treated as "optional" updates that I can install when I see fit.

How can this be accomplished without losing functionality?

 

[DavidE]

I don't think you can do what you want without some 3rd party program.

What you can do is set up a scheduled task to automatically get Windows Defender definition updates.
If you're open to that approach I'll see if I can find instructions for this for Win 7.

Here is an article for Win 8, and Win 7 is pretty much the same.
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/update-windows-defender-automatic-windows-updates-disabled