Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREEMicrosoft Windows Defender
Full user review
-
"A must have for all Windows computers-"
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.
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.
Updated on Jun 1, 2011
2 replies to this review
-
Hiya Andrea,
Thanks for the excessive review. On the other hand I really think it's pure gambling to rely only on this software.
It is clearly (as MS tells you itself) not a virus scanner. You only have an additional chance to remove unwanted 'features' from installed programs (after the harm is done).
The main issue is, that a real virus or Trojan won't be hindered in any way by the Defender. At least as far as I can understand what Microsoft designed it for. So please consider to install a Virus Scanner with real time protection - or at least have a regular scan. All the main security software developers offer free scans online. Just look for 'virus scan online free' in a search engine of your choice. You don't even need to install something for it and it raises protection for you - and of course everybody with a PC on the internet.
Sincerely,
Tom -
You work for Microsoft, don't you?
"that is why I never use anti-virus. I use this"
And on top of that, you're an idiot.
