Microsoft Windows Defender

Publisher's Description

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All User Reviews
  • All versions:

    2.8 stars

    out of 61 votes

    • 5 star: 9
    • 4 star: 15
    • 3 star: 6
    • 2 star: 14
    • 1 star: 17
  • Current version:

    3.0 stars

    out of 45 votes

    • 5 star: 8
    • 4 star: 12
    • 3 star: 5
    • 2 star: 11
    • 1 star: 9
  • My rating:

    0 stars

    Write review

Results 1-10 of 45

  • 1.0 stars

    "Waste of resources"

    April 7, 2013  |   By JoelCairo

    Version: Microsoft Windows Defender 1.1.1593

    Pros

    None that I can see

    Cons

    Uses tons of resources and never finds and spyware.

    Summary

    As a systems administrator I have come across windows defender many times and I have never seen it do anything useful. It's like having a button that uses 15% of your system resources, pointless.

    I don't use an anti-virus or anti-spyware program, a firewall is all I need. Those 2 programs eat resources and slow down your system ten fold. Ignore, disable and mock.

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  • 4.0 stars

    "Seems to work fine."

    October 3, 2012  |   By BobV4244

    Version: Microsoft Windows Defender 1.1.1593

    Pros

    I had it installed for 2 years then decided to install Kasperky. After a 12 hour scan Kaspersky found no threats so Defender must have been working perfectly. I may have wasted money on it.
    Please comment.

    Cons

    I wish it had been on xp all those years.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "It does nothing."

    September 13, 2012  |   By Mar_Enz

    Version: Microsoft Windows Defender 1.1.1593

    Pros

    It's free and from Microsoft.
    On second thought, I'm not sure this is a pro.

    Cons

    Windows Defender is just like the proverbial goggles in the Simpsons episode: it does nothing!
    I work servicing computers. I have seen DOZENS of PC's infected with all kind of malware, that have Windows Defender installed and running. Neither the alleged real-time protection, nor the scan detect any malware. And the only time I saw it detect something, it turned out to be a clear and cut false positive.

    Summary

    Don't waste your Pc resources with this. Get a real Antivirus and a decent Antimalware protection. There are many applications that are effective, and still free.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "Resource Hog and useless"

    September 6, 2012  |   By Vanillaman

    Version: Microsoft Windows Defender 1.1.1593

    Pros

    None that I have found over a long period of use

    Cons

    Devours resources. Has no uninstaller. Zero results

    Summary

    Totally pointless waste of time and resources

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Works as Described"

    May 23, 2012  |   By SixT7VDub

    Version: Microsoft Windows Defender 1.1.1593

    Pros

    Works just as it's supposed to.

    Cons

    None so far.

    Summary

    I'm not sure what everyone is complaining about. I use my computer pretty much all day everyday and have never come across as many Trojans as everyone is talking about.

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  • 4.0 stars

    "Excellent program works we;; with security essentials."

    May 21, 2012  |   By maninblack484

    Version: Microsoft Windows Defender 1.1.1593

    Pros

    Easy to use no effort or tech training needed to figure out.

    Cons

    don't think I found any,maybe I need to look a little harder?

    Summary

    As I have found previously in all microsoft apps never any trouble,work the way things should and never have to mortgage my house to buy it?

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  • 2.0 stars

    "Does It Do Anything?"

    January 19, 2012  |   By Lance B

    Version: Microsoft Windows Defender 1.1.1593

    Pros

    I can't find anything as I can't tell if it actually doing anything.

    Cons

    Never found anything in all the time its been installed. It came pre-installed with my computer. Keeps telling me to set a scheduled when I have done it many times.

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  • 2.0 stars

    "It hasn`t stoped anything ."

    October 18, 2011  |   By haroldmarcum

    Version: Microsoft Windows Defender 1.1.1593

    Pros

    Would get rid of it but it want let me.

    Cons

    I don`t like it.

    Summary

    It will tell you you are ok when you`re not.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Very Good Protection"

    September 9, 2011  |   By 1dustpelt

    Version: Microsoft Windows Defender 1.1.1593

    Pros

    Very Good Protection. Windows Defender protects you from spyware and malware. Very good program. I ran a test and it detected even better than AVG and Norton! AVG: 5 spyware Norton: 0 spyware Windows Defender : 6 spyware

    Cons

    Hard to update in windows 7

    Summary

    Very good software

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  • 4.0 stars

    "A must have for all Windows computers-"

    June 1, 2011  |   By andreaborman

    Version: Microsoft Windows Defender 1.1.1593

    Pros

    It scans and removes spyware,malware and viruses or virus threats. But it is not an anti-virus program. So it only does what you want it to. unlike an anti-virus program that takes over your computer. that is why I never use anti-virus. I use this.

    Cons

    It is bundled with Windows 7 and Windows Vista and part of the system on windows Vista and Windows 7. But not on Windows XP but it should be. Because although you can install it yourself, many XP users do not know that they need Windows Defender.

    Summary

    Windows Defender is bundled with all versions of Windows 7 and Windows Vista, just like Internet Explorer is bundled with Windows.But Windows Defender is not bundled or included in Windows XP or earlier versions of Windows. Windows 2000,Windows ME or 98 or 95. But that really does need to change. Because although Windows XP users can download and install Windows Defender from the Microsoft website. Not everybody who is using Windows XP knows about Windows Defender. It is only because I am a Windows 7 user with a Windows 7 laptop. That I know about Windows Defender as it is the main feature in control panel. So when I got my Windows XP laptop recently,I knew that I had to install Windows Defender.But other Windows XP users who have never used Windows Vista or Windows 7 may not know that they should install Windows Defender on Windows XP.There is also Malicious Software Removal Tool-MRT which is installed in all versions of Windows including Windows XP during updates. This too can be downloaded from the Microsoft website if for some reason you have not got it. These 2 tools scan for and remove viruses. MRT has additional functions. I do not use an anti-virus program not even on Windows XP, but I have got Windows Defender and MRT running on Windows XP and Windows 7. The Windows XP version has additional security features not seen on Windows 7,which you can enable or disable. Yet it does not take over your computer the way an anti-virus program does. Windows Defender works well on all versions of Windows. And my only complaint is that it needs to be bundled in with Windows XP and Windows 2000 and earlier versions of Windows. Just like it is with Windows Vista and Windows 7.Andrea Borman.

    Updated on Jun 1, 2011

    Just because Windows Defender is not bundled with Windows XP or Windows 2000,does not mean you don't need it. It is part of Windows 7 and Windows Vista. And true if you have Windows XP you can download it yourself from the website. But it is a much more sensible option to include it in Windows XP. Just like they do on Windows Vista and Windows 7.And I expect they will include it in windows 8 too. So why not Windows XP? Andrea Borman.

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Results 1-10 of 45

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