New Windows 8 laptop - can't turn 'Defender' on...

Leven

I've just bought a new laptop running Windows 8.

According to my research, it should be protected by 'Defender'. However, I can't find an icon for Defender and when I searched using the search charm I got as far as a window showing that Defender is 'off'. However, there is no functionality to turn Defender on.

The computer is running a free 29 day trial of McAfee, but I don't see why I would need this if the system has Defender.

I am feeling very frustrated by this and have spent hours trying to find a way to turn Defender on.

I feel like throwing the whole thing out of the window and fervently wish I'd never bought it.

Can anyone help by explaining how I can turn Defender on?

Here's hoping...

debitcardmayhem

https://community.mcafee.com/message/277058

Leven

Thanks for the link...
does this mean that it is McAfee that has disabled 'Defender' and that Defender will become available once McAfee is uninstalled?

If so, I suppose its best I wait until the 29 day trial is up before attempting to uninstall McAfee. I don't understand why this McAfee was installed on the computer when it already has an integrated security.

custardy

Leven wrote: »

Thanks for the link...
does this mean that it is McAfee that has disabled 'Defender' and that Defender will become available once McAfee is uninstalled?

If so, I suppose its best I wait until the 29 day trial is up before attempting to uninstall McAfee. I don't understand why this McAfee was installed on the computer when it already has an integrated security.

just uninstall it

penrhyn

I feel like throwing the whole thing out of the window and fervently wish I'd never bought it.

Don't worry that's the normal reaction when confronted by Windows 8, it gets better if you persevere.

debitcardmayhem

custardy wrote: »

just uninstall it

That would be the consensus from a large proportion of folks on here . Defender is ok and it is also free , but you could also try the free versions of Avast and Avira . There is no magic bullet available for Anti-virus / Spyware but any of the 3 free products should do a good job, the best defence you have is your own common sense of course , don't click on eMails links/attachments unless you are certain of their provenance, and be wary of Browser Helpers that commonly come with some products.

Lum

Windows Defender will turn itself off if it detects that another antivirus is installed.

Unfortunately Windows Defender is unaware that McAfee is a worthless pile of dog turds and so turns itself off in favour of McAfee.

Get rid of McAfee and Windows Defender will turn itself back on automatically.

Agree with the above comments. Windows Defender isn't the best AV ever made, however it's still a thousand times better than McAfee.

Leven

Thanks Lum, I was hoping that would be the answer...

However... The bl**dy thing just hung when I tried to shut down - I had no choice but to press the power off button. I started it up again and it worked ok, but then would not shut down again. Then it hung when I started it up again. At this point there was nothing I could do to get it going, so it must be faulty.

I have been using computers for many years, so know what I am doing and hadn't changed any settings or messed with the operating system.

So, tomorrow I will return it as faulty and hopefully get a refund. It's actually a relief because after an unpleasant 8 hours wrestling with the thing I do hate it very much.