Windows 10: Defender in Passive Mode?

I installed Avast (free version) on my new pc because I have had good success with Avast on my Mac for years.

I have repeatedly read that if third-party AV software is installed, Defender will automatically be disabled. This does not appear to be the case because in the System Tray I have the Defender Icon showing with a green checkmark. If I click the Defender icon the Defender Security Center opens and I get green checkmarks across the board.

I googled and found information about Defender's "Passive Mode," but I don't know if that's what's going on:

Windows Defender Antivirus compatibility with other security products | Microsoft Docs

I also found information about Defender not turning off even when third-party AV software is installed.:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/window...l-not-turn-off

I would like to know if Defender is in Passive Mode, which I suppose is okay, or if it is running, and if so, what to do about it.

:)

 

Windows Defender

What was the antivirus program you are using?

"However, on endpoints and devices that are protected with a non-Microsoft antivirus or anti-malware app, Windows Defender AV will automatically disable itself. You can then choose to enable an optional, limited protection
feature, called limited periodic scanning.

If you are also using Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection, then Windows Defender AV will enter a passive mode."

See this "Windows Defender Antivirus compatibility" matrix: Windows Defender Antivirus compatibility with other security products

 

Lumia Display Dock and HDMI to VGA adapter

just to understand some constraints:

• HDMI is electrically compatible with DVI
• DP outputs from most PCs have an HDMI compatibility mode that allows for:
  • DP-to-HDMI passive adapters [passive means it just uses wiring (no ICs) between the connectors]
  • DP-to-DVI passive adapters
• In contrast, the USB Type-C output on the Lumia 950XL/950 phone and the DP output on the Display Dock do not have HDMI compatibility mode. To drive HDMI, DVI (or VGA), they require active adapters incorporating bridge ICs. The tipoff is usually that such
  an adapter costs $20-$40 instead of ~$10 for a passive adapter. There’s no good way to tell active versus passive other than by part # and spec.

 

Defender's real time scanning will be off, but other functions remain. You will still get updates.

In particular, Controlled Folder Access will not be available.
Change Windows Defender Controlled Folder Access Settings - Windows 10 Windows 10 Tutorials

There should be nothing you need to do. However, if you wish, you can disable it completely:
Turn On or Off Windows Defender in Windows 10 Windows 10 Tutorials
Note the pink paragraph.

Plenty more on Defender in the Tutorial section.

 

That icon is not for Windows Defender, but for Defender Security Center.

When you click on Virus & threat protection, you should see, that Avast is up and running.

 

I thank you both for your replies.

I know that Avast is up and running. As for the remaining Defender functions, should I leave them be or should I disable them, or is there an advantage to them running?

 

You can enable periodic scanning to catch viruses, Avast might have missed.

WD has also features, which work separately from AV, they protect Windows even further.

Change Windows Defender Exploit Protection Settings in Windows 10 Windows 10 Tutorials

 

Thank you. I have turned Periodic Scanning on. The other protection settings seem to be mostly set to "on" by default.