Windows Defender is Microsoft software that removes malware, trojans, spyware, and adware that can infect your computer through contaminated links or files. The program also monitors the machine in the background to prevent both the operating system and browsers from undergoing any changes in their settings that open doors for cyber attacks.
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Windows Defender is already installed on Windows 10, with the option of being disabled by the user. However, doubts may arise regarding the program. Next, the dnetc answers the top questions about Microsoft's protection program.
Windows Defender for Chrome Photo: Divulgao / Microsoft
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Windows Defender an antivirus program that is already installed with Windows 10, that is, you don't need to download any files or pay a subscription to keep the software running. It offers real-time protection against software threats, such as viruses and malware in e-mails or on Internet sites, preventing your computer from being infected. System scans are performed automatically and in the background.
Windows Defender also offers protection from threats that can come from files or data that are stored in the cloud. If something strange or potentially dangerous for the computer is detected, the program already activates its security system.
Windows Defender is able to detect, even in most cases, even threats, such as ransomware attacks. For this, the program is based on the behavior of the file: if it catches something different from the usual, the antivirus prevents its execution.
Windows Defender performance considered satisfactory in antivirus testing Photo: Divulgao / AV-TEST
The performance of Windows Defender is considered satisfactory according to the monthly rankings for the evaluation of antivirus programs. Paid antiviruses can be a security option for large companies, but the average user can trust Microsoft's protection program.
Recently, AV-TEST, an independent organization that evaluates security programs for Microsoft Windows operating systems, released a comparative study with different antiviruses available on the market. Windows Defender got a total score of 17 points, out of a total of 18.
The Microsoft program received 5.5 points for its protection power, 5.5 points for performance and 6 points for ease of use, which was considered a very good performance. It is the second time that Windows Defender has approached the leading paid security products on the market in an AV-TEST study.
Can you install Windows Defender on a Windows 7 PC?
Microsoft Security Essentials an antivirus for Windows 7 Photo: Divulgao / Microsoft
Windows Defender cannot be installed on computers running Windows 7, due to system and program requirements. Windows Defender works on the latest versions of Windows 8 and 10.
Windows 7 PCs have installed Microsoft Security Essentials, which is the Microsoft antivirus that gave rise to Windows Defender. Both programs offer virtually the same security features, the main difference being that Windows Defender offers advanced protection against rootkits, which is not the case with Microsoft Security Essentials.
How to disable Windows Defender?
Those who prefer to use another type of antivirus can disable Windows Defender. The procedure is not time consuming, but you need to change the configuration of the computer. It is worth mentioning that, when disabling the antivirus, the computer can be exposed to possible attacks.
There is no official way to uninstall Windows Defender Photo: Carolina Oschendorf / dnetc
How to uninstall Windows Defender?
If you no longer want to use Windows Defender, it is recommended to just disable it, and do not uninstall the program. Action is possible, but you risk deleting folders or drivers that are part of the operating system. In addition, a Windows Update update in the future is very likely to restore Windows Defender and undo the action.
In addition, both disabling and uninstalling are indicated only if you install another type of antivirus on your computer immediately. Leaving the machine unprotected facilitates cyber attacks that can steal important personal data, such as passwords and credit card numbers.
Having more than one antivirus on the PC can be harmful to the machine Photo: Carolina Ochsendorf / dnetc
Is it okay to install another antivirus on your PC?
Windows Defender does not prevent the installation of another antivirus in Windows 10. This is because, from the moment the program is installed, Windows Defender functions automatically disabled, since it has its firewall itself.
Action occurs precisely to avoid conflicts between the software, as an antivirus can detect the other antvirus as a threat, causing the computer to slow down or even crash. If you want to activate Windows Defender again, simply uninstall any other antivirus programs that are installed on your computer.
Incidentally, even if you choose to use another antivirus other than Windows Defender, you can still manually use the Microsoft program to scan your computer for suspicious files.
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