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Microsoft Security

Windows Defender for Windows Vista

Some of you have been asking about whether or not you should download Windows Defender.

Here’s the short answer:

Windows Defender comes with Windows Vista. If you use Windows Vista, do not download Windows Defender. 

What is Windows Defender?

Windows Defender is a free program from Microsoft that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software. 

What happens if I use Windows Vista and I try to download Windows Defender?

You should see an error message that says, “You do not need to install this software because Windows Defender is included in Windows Vista. You can access Windows Defender from the Security section of the Windows Control Panel.”