Windows Defender

derrick

I have Windows Defender set to run daily, all defaults!

I have just noticed that it has taken 2 hours & 20 minutes to do the scan!(found nothing).

Do I need it every day?
If so is that duration normal?
Can I take anything out of the list it scans, or leave it?

XP Home edition, Firefox, OE.

imho

I would un install it as it never seems to find anything .Use something else. I have Vista and i cant un install it but i have stopped it starting up .

This one is excellent http://www.superantispyware.com/

[Deleted User]

Don't set it to scan every day, just leave it in the background as it is actually good for a purpose. Use it in combination with Spybot or Adaware and you should be adequatley covered.

derrick

imho wrote: »

I would un install it as it never seems to find anything .Use something else. I have Vista and i cant un install it but i have stopped it starting up .

This one is excellent http://www.superantispyware.com/

Yes I have that one and use it weekly, but WD comes on daily and works in the background unlike superantispyware, I just thought that in excess of 2 hours was a bit OTT, although my S&D and a-squared free usually take about 1 hour and 20 minutes when I do them weekly.

derrick

be_alright wrote: »

Don't set it to scan every day, just leave it in the background as it is actually good for a purpose. Use it in combination with Spybot or Adaware and you should be adequatley covered.

Yes I do use those, but I thought for WD to work in the background it had to scan daily!

derrick

OK I have just been into the settings and set it to scan on a Monday instead of daily, does that sound like it should be OK?

There is also the option for Full system scan or Quick scan, I have it for full scan!

[Deleted User]

derrick wrote: »

Yes I do use those, but I thought for WD to work in the background it had to scan daily!

One of it's main advantages is that it blocks access to programs on start up that request administrator privilages, so unless you tell it that they are trusted then they'll get blocked, ie spyware/malware can be prevented from doing much with it.