Should I disable Defender before installing a third-party AV?

Vertigo · 6 Oct 2015 at 15:42

Looking at installing some AV on my new Win10 system, probably going to give Avira a go (using Avast on Win7 at the moment).

Was wondering whether I should forcibly disable Windows Defender first or leave it running alongside Avira?

ED209 · 6 Oct 2015 at 16:30

i tend to have 1 running at a time, disable defender and use your normal AV software

Glanza · 6 Oct 2015 at 16:32

Any particular reason why you want to put AV on and not use the built in Windows one?

Vertigo · 6 Oct 2015 at 17:10

From what I've read Defender isn't much cop and the likes of Avast/Avira are better.

Burnsy2023 · 6 Oct 2015 at 18:48

Vertigo1 said:
From what I've read Defender isn't much cop and the likes of Avast/Avira are better.

I find it amazing that anyone tech savvy runs AV in this day and age.

Vertigo · 6 Oct 2015 at 21:31

I have wondered whether it's really necessary or not. Providing you have a modicum of common sense when browsing/downloading/running stuff I presume AV can be unnecessary?

Burnsy2023 · 6 Oct 2015 at 21:56

Vertigo1 said:
I have wondered whether it's really necessary or not. Providing you have a modicum of common sense when browsing/downloading/running stuff I presume AV can be unnecessary?

I haven't disabled defender, but I've not purposefully installed an AV client since around 2009. I also haven't needed to reformat, I generally only get a fresh OS with a new machine so it's not like I have any issues either.

andy_mk3 · 6 Oct 2015 at 22:39

Burnsy2023 said:
I find it amazing that anyone tech savvy runs AV in this day and age.

I agree. Virus/infections don't come out of nowhere. A bit of knowledge on what is and isn't safe goes a long way. I leave defender running as it does no harm.

thenewoc · 6 Oct 2015 at 23:03

I think when you install an AV product it will disable defender itself.

HaloUK · 8 Oct 2015 at 09:46

I have just installed Norton Security and it disabled both Microsoft programmes.

koolpc · 8 Oct 2015 at 09:47

I just use Defender these days

Burnsy2023 · 8 Oct 2015 at 10:09

HaloUK said:
I have just installed Norton Security

I'm so sorry to hear that. Are you ok?

koolpc · 8 Oct 2015 at 10:18

Norton i found was one of the worst AVs i ever used. Years since i had that pile of poo!

ubersonic · 9 Oct 2015 at 08:42

Vertigo1 said:
From what I've read Defender isn't much cop and the likes of Avast/Avira are better.

Windows Defender for 2000/XP/Vista/7 (now called Microsoft Security Essentials) was not amazing (but got the job done with minimal impact) however Windows Defender for 8/8.1/10 is a different program and is much better (as good as most paid AV).

Spacedeck · 9 Oct 2015 at 13:38

I only use Nod 32 because I've already got a paid licence for 3 years. What's built into W10 seems good enough though.

I'm not actually sure if using Nod disabled windows owns, something for me to check later.

ShakenNstirred · 9 Oct 2015 at 19:11

As others, i have left Defender running, But i won't installing anything else.

metalmackey · 9 Oct 2015 at 21:14

I use Defender on windows 10 too. The only gripe I have is it has no right click scan options in explorer.

nightmare99 · 10 Oct 2015 at 10:37

To answer the question in the OP, you do not need to manually disable defender as it will be turned off on installation of a 3rd party av.

PapaLazaru · 10 Oct 2015 at 21:22

Defender + Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit is all you need. And they are free.

https://www.malwarebytes.org/antiexploit/

Elevon · 12 Oct 2015 at 15:02

PapaLazaru said:
Defender + Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit is all you need. And they are free.

https://www.malwarebytes.org/antiexploit/

Or even better Avast free and Malwarebytes free version.

One reason why I use Avast over Defender is better detection scan and also lighter on resources, actually that's two reasons

.

Yes installing third party AV like Avast, AVG etc will disable Defender automatically.