Windows Defender every time I log in

[bear93]

Lately, every time I log in to my Windows 7 pro machine, the Windows Defender dialog comes up informing me "No unwanted or harmful software detected."

I have Defender set to do an automatic daily scan, but I don't want it to notify me with a pop-up every single morning when I log in. I looked for a way in the settings tab to have it notify me only when a problem is found, but can find no such setting.

I don't necessarily want to turn off the automatic daily scan so is there another way to avoid this useless notification window?

 

[richc46]

Uninstall your current AntiVirus
Install Microsoft Security Essentials, one of the best for windows
Defender is part of MSE. Best of all worlds.
You will no longer have the Defender problem
I use MSE in conjuction with Malwarebytes, great combination.

 

[EzioAuditore]

Seems it has something to do with the daily scan. Just try disabling it once and see if the problem persists... Also, Is it in the start-up list (hit win key+R, type msconfig in the run box, navigate to the start-up tab)
And as rich said, you'd be better off without it. Just install MSE. Its way better...

 

[Corrine]

Hi, bear93.

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

Although I like MSE and agree that it works well, I am not going to advise you to uninstall your current A/V software and install MSE unless you are looking for a change. Microsoft is not in competition with other A/V vendors but rather is providing an alternative quality product to chose from.

As to the Windows Defender notice, see the tutorial at the Seven Forums sister site, Vista Forums: Windows Defender Notification.

 

[tw33k]

I agree with Corrine (as usual). Unless there is a problem with your current AV, i see no reason to switch to MSE which is a mid-range product at best. It amazes how many people on here tell others to uninstall their AV and use MSE. It's the only forum I've come across with so many MSE fanbois.

 

[malexous]

I'm astounded at the amount of people that immediately dismiss all other anti-virus and outright call MSE the "best".

Unfounded tosh.

bear93, it's up to you but if you are not having any problems with your current anti-virus, there is no reason to switch.

 

[richc46]

The members of the BSOD squad would understand the resason for my continual mention of MSE; in fact most of them are on the same bandwagon. Almost every other AV has at one time or another caused BSODs and other conflicts.
Other than this one reason, I agree with the many posters who feel that it is not necessary to change AV, unless there are significant problems with the current software.

 

[EzioAuditore]

I'm astounded at the amount of people that immediately dismiss all other anti-virus and outright call MSE the "best".
*
Unfounded tosh.
*
bear93, it's up to you but if you are not having any problems with your current anti-virus, there is no reason to switch.

*
There's nothing like dismissal of other AV's and the fan boy thing. Seeing that he's still using Windows defender, we advised to install MSE as it's enough for average users.. Just install and forget.. He can easily switch to his desired one when he wants...

 

[Digerati]

MSE...is a mid-range product at best.

Not hardly. It is an excellent offering that has been certified right along side other top tier (paid and free) offerings by respected independent labs like,

• ICSA Labs
• WestCoast Labs
• AV-Test

MSE should be considered as a viable solution by anyone looking for a good anti-malware solution. "Bashing" others by calling them fanbois because they like a product is really unnecessary, at best. The fact of the matter is, many people have resolved performance issues by uninstalling their fancy (often expensive) bloated security suites, enabling Windows Firewall and installing MSE. It is a simple, effective anti-malware solution that Microsoft got right this time and for that reason, is often recommended. I use it (and Windows Firewall) because I grew disenchanted with McAfee, then NIS, then ZoneAlarm, then again with AVG, then again with Comodo after each became more and more bloated and troublesome.

MSE and Windows Firewall are often recommended because they are probably the easiest to use for inexperienced and less disciplined users. They are more "set and forget" than most, and they update through Windows Update. That alone would not be good enough for recommendation if they were not effective. But it is important to note that 100s of millions of users are using Windows Firewall, and near that many are using MSE. And the vast majority of the nearly 1 Billion Windows users are using Windows Update at the default (fully automatic) settings with no problems.

That said, I agree, if your current solution is working fine for you, don't switch! After all, it is the user that is always the weakest link.

Also, I note that Windows Defender is an anti-spyware program only. It is not an anti-virus program. MSE is an anti-malware program used to protect against spyware, viruses, worms, Trojans, ect. Installing MSE usually disables Windows Defender. But after installing MSE, I would recommend uninstalling Windows Defender.

Finally, I note richc46 correctly said in reference to MSE, it was "one" of the best. He did not say it was the best. There is no product that stands out as best because no product does just one thing - and no product is best at everything.

 

[malexous]

Finally, I note richc46 correctly said in reference to MSE, it was "one" of the best. He did not say it was the best.

My comment regarding "best" was in response to many other posts elsewhere on the forums.

 

[Corrine]

. . . I agree with the many posters who feel that it is not necessary to change AV, unless there are significant problems with the current software.

Thank you for understanding where I am coming from. After all, the OP posted here in the System Security forum about a problem with Windows Defender notifications, not a BSOD problem.

MSE and Windows Firewall are often recommended because they are probably the easiest to use for inexperienced and less disciplined users.

As well as effective.

@bear93, I hope the link to this tutorial hasn't been lost in our off-topic discussion: Windows Defender Notification.

 

[richc46]

. . . I agree with the many posters who feel that it is not necessary to change AV, unless there are significant problems with the current software.

Thank you for understanding where I am coming from. After all, the OP posted here in the System Security forum about a problem with Windows Defender notifications, not a BSOD problem.

MSE and Windows Firewall are often recommended because they are probably the easiest to use for inexperienced and less disciplined users.

As well as effective.

@bear93, I hope the link to this tutorial hasn't been lost in our off-topic discussion: Windows Defender Notification.

Corrine, not only do I understand where you are coming from, but I also have the utmost respect for your expertise in this area. I should know, we have known each other for a long time.

 

[Corrine]

Corrine, not only do I understand where you are coming from, but I also have the utmost respect for your expertise in this area. I should know, we have known each other for a long time.

Thank you, Richard. It has indeed been a long time, particularly considering "internet time".

Off topic:

At all: Richard and I met at another forum almost 10 years ago, both of us still struggling with free ISPs on dial-up. Anyone else remember the AMEX free ISP?

 

[richc46]

Corrine, not only do I understand where you are coming from, but I also have the utmost respect for your expertise in this area. I should know, we have known each other for a long time.

Thank you, Richard. It has indeed been a long time, particularly considering "internet time".

Off topic:

At all: Richard and I met at another forum almost 10 years ago, both of us still struggling with free ISPs on dial-up. Anyone else remember the AMEX free ISP?

Me, me. I had Amex, applied for the card, had the service for a month and then it disappeared. Yes, a long time indeed.

 

[Dave76]

I have read less than favorable things about Windows Defender, so have not used it.

Does anyone recommend using Windows Firewall and Defender as their only AV protection?

Just curious as I have not seen this recommended before.

 

[richc46]

I particularly like MSE (Defender is shut off and it a part of MSE)
The windows fire wall
and Malwarbytes
Excellent protection and does not cause any problems with windows.

 

[mborner]

^^ My Malwarebytes doesn't seem to work. It never, ever, ever, finds anything. I'm protected by MSE!!!

 

[Fayla]

Three to four optional definition updates a day, the people maintaining MSE sure do work hard to keep its users' safe

^^ My Malwarebytes doesn't seem to work. It never, ever, ever, finds anything. I'm protected by MSE!!!

 

[Corrine]

I have read less than favorable things about Windows Defender, so have not used it.

Does anyone recommend using Windows Firewall and Defender as their only AV protection?

Just curious as I have not seen this recommended before.

And you won't see that recommendation.

Windows Defender is not an antivirus software. It is anti-spyware only. On the other hand, the combination of Windows Firewall and Microsoft Security Essentials is frequently recommended.

 

[Dave76]

Thanks Corrine, I expected that.

I have used several over the years.

Currently using MSE, Avast, and run Malwarbytes at least once a week.