Microsoft Defender

MouldyOldDough

Be aware that to use MS Defender now - you need a (AT COST) MS 365 account

I only discovered this because I suddenly found that I was not protected any longer !!

What is the best FREE alternative at the moment ???

gefnew

rubbish information

MouldyOldDough

gefnew said:

rubbish information

It's not "rubbish information"

I found that defender had uninstalled itself and went to the app store to re-download it and got the above !

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9p6pmztm93lr?hl=en-gb&gl=US try it yourself

born_again

Are you sure you have not got some virus?

As mine is still working fine.

DE_612183

are you getting mixed up between Microsoft Defender and Windows Defender?

The first is part of the office 365 pack - which you pay for.

The latter is part of the windows operating system - which you don't.

[ I think ]

Neil_Jones

MouldyOldDough said:

Be aware that to use MS Defender now - you need a (AT COST) MS 365 account

I only discovered this because I suddenly found that I was not protected any longer !!

What is the best FREE alternative at the moment ???

Windows Defender and Microsoft Defender are not the same thing.

The latter is is part of Office as you point out, the former is part of Windows, and is free.

Not entirely sure what the latter is supposed to do or for but seems to be aimed at Exchange users, which doesn't apply in a home environment.

Peter999_2

Don't worry, Windows Defender is a paid for app, however, Windows Security it still free and part of Windows 11 and includes Windows Defender Anti-Virus.

It explains it here : 
What's the difference between Microsoft Defender and Windows Security - Microsoft Community

MouldyOldDough

Peter999_2 said:

Don't worry, Windows Defender is a paid for app, however, Windows Security it still free and part of Windows 11 and includes Windows Defender Anti-Virus.

It explains it here : 
What's the difference between Microsoft Defender and Windows Security - Microsoft Community

Ooooooops!!

Newcad

Not really ooops - they do it on purpose to trick the unwary into paying for something that they don't need anyway.

Whether a company like M$ should be using such devious marketing tactics is a whole other debate.

GDB2222

Newcad said:

Not really ooops - they do it on purpose to trick the unwary into paying for something that they don't need anyway.

Whether a company like M$ should be using such devious marketing tactics is a whole other debate.

What makes you think they confuse people on purpose? 

On the contrary, they say: "On your PC, Microsoft Defender works with built-in Windows Security to provide additional device protection on your Android, iOS, and Mac devices."

MouldyOldDough

Newcad said:

Not really ooops - they do it on purpose to trick the unwary into paying for something that they don't need anyway.

Whether a company like M$ should be using such devious marketing tactics is a whole other debate.

Could someone please supply the URL to allow me to re-download it ?

I keep on getting the (PAID FOR) Microsoft Defender when I look for it ....

I do still have the firewall part of defender installed on my laptop but no MS antivirus (I am using TotalAV for the time being)