Depending on which operating system your computer is running, you can use either Windows Defender or Microsoft Security Essentials to get rid of malicious software and viruses.
If your computer is running Windows 8, you can use the built-in Windows Defender to help you get rid of viruses, spyware, or other malware. If your computer is running Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP, Windows Defender only removes spyware. To get rid of viruses and other malware, including spyware, on Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP, you can download Microsoft Security Essentials for free.
In Windows 8, Windows Defender replaces Microsoft Security Essentials
You can’t use Microsoft Security Essentials with Windows 8 or Windows RT, but you don’t need to because Windows Defender already provides built-in protection.
What is Windows Defender Offline?
Some malicious software will not allow you to access Windows Defender or other antivirus software. To help detect and remove the malware, you can start your computer by using a Windows Defender Offline CD, DVD, or USB flash drive.
Get step-by-step instructions for removing a virus.
About the Author
Eve Blakemore
Group Manager, Trustworthy Computing
Eve Blakemore is a Group Manager for Trustworthy Computing who delivers consumer guidance around the latest trends in security and privacy. Eve joined Microsoft in 1998 and has worked in corporate and field roles with Microsoft Learning, US Public Sector, Read more »
My last 3 Windows Defender updates (I have Windows 7) have failed (see below). I ran a trouble shooter but it could not ID my error code. All Defender updates prior to Oct 26 were successful. All other Windows updates through Nov 14 have been successful. What is going on here?
Definition Update for Windows Defender – KB915597 (Definition 1.161.1906.0)
Installation date: 11/14/2013 10:24 PM
Installation status: Failed
Error details: Code 8007007E
Definition Update for Windows Defender – KB915597 (Definition 1.161.1215.0)
Installation date: 11/1/2013 9:09 AM
Installation status: Failed
Error details: Code 8007007E
Definition Update for Windows Defender – KB915597 (Definition 1.161.695.0)
Installation date: 10/26/2013 10:00 PM (Also Oct 27 & 28 attempts failed)
Installation status: Failed
Error details: Code 8007007E
please i need help, my Pc OS is window 7 home edition it came with an in-built window defender now Can i run and allow windows defender and Microsoft security essential on the same system
Yes,you can use both of them just download Microsoft security essentials from Microsoft website's download center…
Have you looked into the Error Code in the MS knowledgebase?
answers.microsoft.com/…/19169d4c-706f-4b69-bb1b-467c88200fe8
Please can you clarify – if I have Windows 7 do I just need Microsoft Security Essentials or would I get more comprehensive protection if I also had Windows Defender?
My Virus Protection is "OFF" please i need help to put it on again. Thanks
http://www.wiceqfm.com is a radio station I love listening to for years, it is four weeks now it stopped abprutly, and I just cant get it to work. What annoys me is, I am able to get all other radio stations in the same radio, on trying to connect, i am getting a message Windows Player cannot play the file because the specified protocol is not supported. What should I do, please, please, Help me. Thanks
torino72- try uninstalling the program and redownloading it. If that doesn't work go to command prompt -cmd- and type in sfc /scannow to scan for memory problems. Other solutions might include compatibility, anti virus block, lack of admin rights or missing an .dll. You could also try running event viewer to.
Godbest- Yes, but it is recommend you run 1 real time anti virus at the time because of resources taken. 1 anti virus + firewall is probably your best choice right now.
Yes you need to install Microsoft Security Essential for Windows 7 or XP. But you don't need to install it on Windows 8.
protect my system
I do not want Systweak Software because filing complaint against them .Any other that is in United States and recommended is OK
once I turned defender on … to run a once -off scan … I now cant turn it off … showing me 2 anti-virus programs … im using Norton 360 ….. can someone help ??? thanks …. cheers all ….
Someone is always changing my email password, how do i stop this?
Hello Godbest,
You are confused! Not surprising as Microsoft have a distinct lack of originality in naming their products!
Defender in Windows 7 is anti-spyware (only). Microsoft security essentials is the anti-virus and ant-spyware and when M.S.E is installed it disables defender.
How do I view a CD that is already loaded. It has MRI slides. I only wish to view
IAN – many thanks…. your reply to 'godblest' also very much helped me…
Very useful Forum. I am fervently appealing to jonnyzero to rteveal to me that processs of turnig Defender on
very new to the computer world. It is an old, re-built comp. that I am using as the acer one was borrowed and not yet returned. So is this a "blog" i am on? how do i check for my answers? how do you get into blogs? or how and where on the computer can i start one? also, I have no spell check. do you know where i can get it. everyone i know seems to have spell check, grammar check, thusorous (i know that is really not the correct way to spell it but i think you will know what i mean. I did try downloading a spell check but nothing is working for me. I think, for me, i should use blogs to learn about the computer world as there is so much out there with facebaook, etc. but i don't know where to go or what to do. also the spell check is a major need for me. thank you so much. now i will have to figure out where to pic up my answers, or do they go right into my mail which is yahoo right now.
How do I turn Windows defender on? I have Windows 8.
I had viriuses on computer. got trend micro to delete from my computer run fine.On few sites, on line dating and Google.Do I delete on line helpfrom trend micro, my tecnician or unistall or both how uninstall.Not pay monthly fee
You are not paying for Anti-Virus and you are going to dating sites, you deserve to have viruses, Have any of you thought of using Bing or Google to ask your questions
Hello,
I am running W8 with built-in defender/security protection… But I see that I can not run the Istation program (http://www.istation.com/)… I tried another W8 computer with Macfee protection and I do not see any issues… Please suggest…
Thanks…
@Godbest Defender is turned off since that protection layer is taken by MSE.. Nothing to worry. answers.microsoft.com/…/4d726f20-15d8-475f-ac47-a21507d112c8