Microsoft Defender

DE_612183

You don't download windows defender - it's part of your windows system:

booneruk

MouldyOldDough said:

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)

As far as I understand it's built into Windows and not some downloadable extra.

What do you see when you go through these screens?

MouldyOldDough

DE_612183 said:

You don't download windows defender - it's part of your windows system:

Well it's not on my laptop - I apparently uninstalled it !

DE_612183

If you have managed to uninstall it ( not sure if you can actually do that ), then the only option would be to re-install windows.

whats happens when you put "windows defender" in the "type here to search" box?

MouldyOldDough

DE_612183 said:

If you have managed to uninstall it ( not sure if you can actually do that ), then the only option would be to re-install windows.

whats happens when you put "windows defender" in the "type here to search" box?

I get Windows Defender FIREWALL - Not antivirus

MouldyOldDough

I also get this screen when I open Privacy and Security - but the "Open Windows Security" button doesn't work !!

I am assuming that, because I have TotalAV installed - it says Virus and Threat protection - no action needed ?

Newcad

MouldyOldDough said:

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)

There is no need to download anything, Windows Security/Defender is built into Windows itself.

However you have a 3rd party AV - TotalAV - installed.

I am assuming that, because I have TotalAV installed - it says Virus and Threat protection - no action needed ?

Yes. that's how it works:

If/when you install a 3rd party AV then Windows Security/Defender automatically turns itself off - so that they don't conflict with each other.

If/when you uninstall (or disable) the 3rd party AV then Windows Security/Defender automatically turns itself on again.

(Note that there is one notable exception to that - Malwarebytes Antimalware paid for version is specifically designed so that you can run it alongside Windows Security/Defender in real time without clashing with Defender. You can choose whether Defender gets turned off or not. Running both together gives an extra layer of protection with both of them protecting you. Most Malwarebytes users run it in that way)

MouldyOldDough

Newcad said:

MouldyOldDough said:

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)

There is no need to download anything, Windows Security/Defender is built into Windows itself.

However you have a 3rd party AV - TotalAV - installed.

I am assuming that, because I have TotalAV installed - it says Virus and Threat protection - no action needed ?

Yes. that's how it works:

If/when you install a 3rd party AV then Windows Security/Defender automatically turns itself off - so that they don't conflict with each other.

If/when you uninstall (or disable) the 3rd party AV then Windows Security/Defender automatically turns itself on again.

(Note that there is one notable exception to that - Malwarebytes Antimalware paid for version is specifically designed so that you can run it alongside Windows Security/Defender in real time without clashing with Defender. You can choose whether Defender gets turned off or not. Running both together gives an extra layer of protection with both of them protecting you. Most Malwarebytes users run it in that way)

But surely - I should still be able to "press" the OPEN WINDOWS SECURITY button ?

RumRat

Does this help?..... https://youtu.be/ZxSPE40aApg?feature=shared

MouldyOldDough

RumRat said:

Does this help?..... https://youtu.be/ZxSPE40aApg?feature=shared

Brilliant thanks - I reset Security App and that has fixed the problem...

I can now uninstall TotalAV - Which was annoying me with constant requests to upgrade (and pay !)