Windows Defender

[caryc]

I'm still running and will continue running windows 7. Does anyone know if updates to virus definitions will continue for windows defender running in windows 7?

I also have Malwarebytes and McAfee total defender running on this machine.

 

[powder smoke]

Yup, MS keeps telling me windows 7 is no longer supported. I say So what? !
Computers are not my expertise. Dr. Dan a computer guy up the road a ways
never fails me! Got a problem he connects remotely from his place and straighten
things out and sends me a bill. Usually 20 or 30 bucks. Fixed! ps

 

[hittman]

Funny ..... minutes after reading this thread I got a "pop up" message from the AVG I have installed.

It says:

AVG is still protecting you.
AVG supports Windows 7.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

hittman, excuse my ignorance, what is AVG?
Regardless I'm glad to hear it. I use Webroot as my anti-virus. So far so good.

 

[hittman]

It's the anti-virus / anti-spyware I've used for many years.

 

[caryc]

Well, I guess no one can answer my question. I didn't ask about any other virus programs, I asked about windows defender. Windows defender is still used in windows 10 so I'm wondering if the updates they send out for it will update in windows 7.

Are the updates sent out specially for windows defender or are they packaged to go out with updates for windows 10?

 

[caryc]

Well, I got my answer online here

https://www.computerworld.com/artic...-7s-free-av-software-security-essentials.html

Looks like they won't be updating it.

 

[hittman]

I don't know what Windows Defender is. Can't say I've ever heard of it.

But, I also have installed on my Win7 PC Microsoft Security Essentials and downloaded and installed an update earlier today.

 

[caryc]

I don't know what Windows Defender is. Can't say I've ever heard of it.

But, I also have installed on my Win7 PC Microsoft Security Essentials and downloaded and installed an update earlier today.

If you hit your windows key and type "windows defender" in the search box without the quotes and press enter you'll see what it is.

 

[Kevin]

Windows Defender is a built-in anti virus package on the Windows 10 operating system.

I’m not a fan of Windows 7, but I do like 10 and how Defender works. And no additional fees like with McFee or others you have to either buy or pay a yearly fee.

I’ve used Defender for several years now without any issues. Before that I used McFee and had some major problems with it and letting viruses through and conflicts etc.

 

[caryc]

Windows Defender is a built-in anti virus package on the Windows 10 operating system.

I’m not a fan of Windows 7, but I do like 10 and how Defender works. And no additional fees like with McFee or others you have to either buy or pay a yearly fee.

I’ve used Defender for several years now without any issues. Before that I used McFee and had some major problems with it and letting viruses through and conflicts etc.

Defender is also built into Windows 7.

 

[Captain America]

I updated 9 PCs at work this week to Windows 10, the side effect that I did not expect is that every one of those computers became noticeably faster by quite a bit. Update to Windows 10, set your default browser to whatever you’re comfortable with and you won’t notice a difference from what you’re used to. I tried to like Microsoft Edge, I really did, but it’s just not as user friendly as Internet Explorer.

 

[Bull Barrel]

Hmm....people trust their anti virus software to the people who write the software they are trying to protect!
Does anyone find that just a bit strange?

 

[ronto]

Windows 7 will still work but as of 1/14/20 Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7 including security updates. Find another good anti-virus program if you want your system protected from malware and viruses.

 

[caryc]

Windows 7 will still work but as of 1/14/20 Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7 including security updates. Find another good anti-virus program if you want your system protected from malware and viruses.

I just opened up Windows Defender and it seems that the virus definitions were updated on 1/30/2020. That's two days ago so why is that if what you say above is true about security updates? Where did you get your information?

 

[hittman]

Cary this doesn't answer your question directly but I understand that any good anti-virus product will do the same thing as your Defender.

I use and have had excellent luck with Microsoft Security Essentials and AVG (which I pay for about $45 a year) and Ad-Aware. I run all 3 weekly. Have done so for years both at home and at work on my network there.

If you've lost confidence in Defender, download others. Many are free. Malware bytes comes to mind as another many use even though I never have.

 

[caryc]

Cary this doesn't answer your question directly but I understand that any good anti-virus product will do the same thing as your Defender.

I use and have had excellent luck with Microsoft Security Essentials and AVG (which I pay for about $45 a year) and Ad-Aware. I run all 3 weekly. Have done so for years both at home and at work on my network there.

If you've lost confidence in Defender, download others. Many are free. Malware bytes comes to mind as another many use even though I never have.

As I said in my OP, I am also running Malwarebytes and McAfee on this machine. I don't need another virus program. I'm just wondering if the virus definitions in Windows Defender will still update.

Hmmm... I just opened Windows Defender and it says the virus definitions were last updated on 1/30/2020. That is after support for Windows ended on 1/14/2020.

 

[hittman]

Good.

As I may have typed earlier my Microsoft Security Essentials also let me download an update 1/30/20. So it appears even though MS isn't updating Win7, their Defender and Security Essentials are still relevant.

 

[ronto]

Windows 7 will still work but as of 1/14/20 Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7 including security updates. Find another good anti-virus program if you want your system protected from malware and viruses.

I just opened up Windows Defender and it seems that the virus definitions were updated on 1/30/2020. That's two days ago so why is that if what you say above is true about security updates? Where did you get your information?

I got it from a Microsoft press release. I didn't just make it up. :) There should be an anti-virus definition update EVERY DAY, not just now and then.
Go ahead and do nothing but don't blame me if you get a virus or malware on your computer. :)

 

[Bull Barrel]

I am still downloading Win 7 updates every day at work.

 

[caryc]

Windows 7 will still work but as of 1/14/20 Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7 including security updates. Find another good anti-virus program if you want your system protected from malware and viruses.

I just opened up Windows Defender and it seems that the virus definitions were updated on 1/30/2020. That's two days ago so why is that if what you say above is true about security updates? Where did you get your information?

I got it from a Microsoft press release. I didn't just make it up. :) There should be an anti-virus definition update EVERY DAY, not just now and then.
Go ahead and do nothing but don't blame me if you get a virus or malware on your computer. :)

Are you blind? How many times do I have to put it in print?

I am also running Malwarebytes and McAfee on this computer.
I am also running Malwarebytes and McAfee on this computer.
I am also running Malwarebytes and McAfee on this computer.

 

[joe812]

Cary, think you are still getting the updates because Defender is/was also part of Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. Even though Defender is only anti-spyware on Windows 7, you should be covered with your Malwarebytes and McAfee.

 

[Captain America]

FWIW, for those of you with Comcast internet, Norton Antivirus is free....

https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/norton-security-download-install-pc

 

[ronto]

I just opened up Windows Defender and it seems that the virus definitions were updated on 1/30/2020. That's two days ago so why is that if what you say above is true about security updates? Where did you get your information?

I got it from a Microsoft press release. I didn't just make it up. :) There should be an anti-virus definition update EVERY DAY, not just now and then.
Go ahead and do nothing but don't blame me if you get a virus or malware on your computer. :)[/quote]

Are you blind? How many times do I have to put it in print?

I am also running Malwarebytes and McAfee on this computer.
I am also running Malwarebytes and McAfee on this computer.
I am also running Malwarebytes and McAfee on this computer.[/quote]
No, I'm not blind. So why do you care about Windows Defender? Windows Defender in passive mode will scan for malware but will not stop them. It's good you have McAfee. Windows Defender by itself will Not protect your computer, all it will do is tell you your computer has malware which is a little late to stop the malware from infecting your computer. Btw. it is not recommended to run Windows Defender and another malware program at the same time since they may interfere with each other. Just choose one.

 

[caryc]

I just opened up Windows Defender and it seems that the virus definitions were updated on 1/30/2020. That's two days ago so why is that if what you say above is true about security updates? Where did you get your information?

I got it from a Microsoft press release. I didn't just make it up. :) There should be an anti-virus definition update EVERY DAY, not just now and then.
Go ahead and do nothing but don't blame me if you get a virus or malware on your computer. :)

Are you blind? How many times do I have to put it in print?

I am also running Malwarebytes and McAfee on this computer.
I am also running Malwarebytes and McAfee on this computer.
I am also running Malwarebytes and McAfee on this computer.[/quote]
No, I'm not blind. So why do you care about Windows Defender? Windows Defender in passive mode will scan for malware but will not stop them. It's good you have McAfee. Windows Defender by itself will Not protect your computer, all it will do is tell you your computer has malware which is a little late to stop the malware from infecting your computer. Btw. it is not recommended to run Windows Defender and another malware program at the same time since they may interfere with each other. Just choose one.[/quote]

I've been running all three on this computer for a lot of years now with no problems. I don't really care about windows defender it's just one of the things I'm wondering about.

 

[ronto]

I've been running all three on this computer for a lot of years now with no problems. I don't really care about windows defender it's just one of the things I'm wondering about.[/quote}
TOTALAV is just as good as what you are using...and it's FREE!