Windows 10 Defender

[mikey4444]

I am now trying to set up some anti-virus software on my now PC. Someone told me yesterday, that I should already be covered by Windows 10 Defender.

If that is so, how can I tell if its on or not, and if I haven't turned it on, how do I do that ? And is it free ?

[Old_Geezer]

Settings / Update & Security / Windows Defender

[TheChair]

You'll get others on here telling you that this AV or that AV is better, and probably adding links to sites recommending this or that on the basis of tests. I can tell you that I and around 200 of my clients rely on Windows defender, and have done for years without problems. Tests are run in lab conditions on lab specified viruses. In the real world, something like 80-90% of infections are due to user-actions that tend to defeat AV products' defences.

After the Anniversary Update, Defender shows as an icon in the system tray. Prior to that update, it could only be accessed using OG's method.

[hc4361]

Right click on the Windows logo bottom left.
Click Control Panel
Click System & Security


The Defender icon is not in my system tray despite having the Anniversary Update

[mikey4444]

OK...

I have right clicked on Windows logo, and chosen Control Panel and System and Security, but there is mention of defender anywhere !

[Old_Geezer]

Settings / Update & Security / Windows Defender

[hc4361]

Have you got any other anti virus software on your pc?

[hc4361]

Try typing Windows Defender in the Cortana searchbox bottom left.

Then click 'windows defender settings'

[ChipaChups]

Avast Anti Virus, & Malware Bytes Anti malware is all you need, they do not slow the system.

[mikey4444]

One thing I have noticed about this new PC....it is almost completely silent.

The fan on my old PC ran all the time, without stopping. I took the cover off a year ago, and removed as much dust and fluff as possible, but it had no effect at all.

[mikey4444]

On more question, if I may.

On my old Windows 7 PC, I could easily see how much of the hard disc was being used at any time, by bring up a simple pie chart, from "My Computer"

How can I do this in Windows 10 please ?

[DTCwordfan]

Start, Flie Explorer and go to the bottom of the column and pick up OS, right click and properties is there.....and behind it the capacity/used and unused.,

[Old_Geezer]

Open it in File Explorer. Right Click on the C: drive and select properties.

Maybe your new computer isn't getting hot enough to run fans.
Download and use speedfan (or other of your choice) to see what the temperature monitors are showing.

[TheChair]

The Icon in the system tray isn't called defender, it's a grey shield, and if you hover over it, it should say something like "System Status: Protected".

"On my old Windows 7 PC, I could easily see how much of the hard disc was being used at any time, by bring up a simple pie chart, from "My Computer"

How can I do this in Windows 10 please ?""

Click Start, from the right-hand menu, click This PC
This will show your drives as bar-charts rather than pie charts.
If you right-click a drive, and choose properties, it will show a circular bar chart.

[Togo]

Mikey left click the windows icon or press the windows key.
Hover the cursor over the little cog icon which will say settings, left click
Left click updates and security.
left click windows defender.
check that all options are on then click on the greyed out box that says open windows defender.
You will be told if windows defender is running and that antivirus and malware protection is on and up to date.
You also have History and update options. If you choose update it will do any updates that have been released since the lappie was programmed.

[mikey4444]

DTC and OG...thanks that worked a treat !

[Bazile]

Sorry to butt in

Is Windows defender better to have on my PC as opposed to Microsoft Security Essentials , which i'm currently running ?

[mikey4444]

Thanks to Togo and The Chair s well !

[hc4361]

If you open File Explorer by clicking the yellow folder icon on your task bar you can scroll down to This PC. Click on that and you will get a display of all your drives showing how much space is used and free.

[TheChair]

Bazile.
Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials are pretty much the same thing, for different versions of Windows. Windows Defender is is installed by default in Windows 10.

[Bazile]

I'm still running Windows 7

Thanks , The Chair