Windows 10: Security Essentials vs. Windows Defender

I have been running Win10 for a couple of years now and have depended on Windows Defender as my anti-virus protection along with Malware Bytes. So far no problems. While surfing this morning a came across an articled which implied Defender alone needed the company of Windows Security Essentials to offer adequate protection. That seemed to conflict with what I thought I knew and my practice.

Can straighten me out?

Thank you.

:)

 

Cumulative Update

Not to be a prig but...

Defender came preinstalled in Win7.

The HP-preinstalled Norton (or McAfee) free-trialware (assuming it was Activated) would have disabled Windows Defender by default.

If (a) you chose to install Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) or if (b) MSE was offered & installed as an Optional update [1] via Windows Update, doing so also would have disabled Windows Defender by default.

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Related references may include:

• Check list for installing Microsoft Security Essentials
  
  http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/wiki/mse-protect_start/microsoft-security-essentials-installation/e6e18776-9571-42e9-8fc0-66717dde0e19
  
  
• Is it OK to have Microsoft Security Essentials and another anti-virus application installed & loading at boot?
  
  http://blogs.microsoft.com/microsof...tials-and-another-antivirus-software-program/
  
• Microsoft Security Essentials vs. Windows Defender
  
  Microsoft Security Essentials vs. Windows Defender
  
• If I have Microsoft Security Essentials do I still need Windows Defender?
  
  If I have Microsoft Security Essentials do I still need Windows Defender?
  

[One or more of the above links may be "dead" by now.]

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You wouldn't be the first person to think Defender in Win7 was an AV app - especially since it
is an AV app in Win8 & higher - and you certainly won't be the last.

Over the years, Microsoft has confused hundreds (if not thousands) of millions of users by "rebadging" well-known Windows applications (e.g.,
Outlook [part of Office] vs. Outlook Express [Win95 thru WinXP] vs.
Windows Mail [Vista] vs. Windows Live Mail [part of
Windows Live Essentials which itself was rebadged as Windows Essentials not to be confused with
Microsoft Security Essentials] vs. Mail
app [Win8 & higher, AKA Windows Mail again & Outlook Mail]).

I really don't want to know why you "reinstalled 2014 W 8"...

============================================

[1] cf.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2267621/microsoft-security-essentials-is-offered-as-an-optional-update

 

Windows 10 - Security Essential installed and Defender turned off - cannot uninstall Essential

My Windows 7 has Security Essential installed. Upgraded yesterday to Windows 10 and keep getting message that Defender is turned OFF.

OK, I found out that no way to turn it ON, all greyed. Guess it must be conflicting with Security Essential. No way to turn off Essential. Tried uninstall it but keep getting funny eroor, "you cannot install Essential in this PC". I am not install, in fact
I am uninstalling ...

So this" Catch 22'' situation is due to Defender vs Essential fighting inside my PC while there is nothing I can do

1. I cannot turn off Essential

2. I cannot uninstall Essential

3. I cannot trun on Defender as long as Essential is in control

Any idea on how to get out of this situation?

[Moved from Windows]

 

That was an old article I think.

Windows Security Essentials (an AV) was renamed Windows Defender in Windows 8. You can't install Security Essentials.

There was another earlier MS product also called Windows Defender (which was not a real time AV and ran alongside Security Essentials) which was deprecated in windows 7 (I think).

They change all these names around in circles to keep us on our toes it seems *Wink

Defender is all you need on Windows 10 though - not Security Essentials.

Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials on Windows 7, - Microsoft Community

 

Super! That is what I thought. 'Tis good to have it confirmed.

Thank you.