Final Release of Windows Defender

Microsoft has announced the availability of Windows Defender in English. The team has been working hard for over a year and fixed over 400 bugs in the areas of stability and reliability since Windows Defender (Beta 2). We plan to release localized versions in the next few months including but not limited to German, Japanese, French and Spanish. All in all, we plan to deliver over 20 localized versions of Windows Defender.

For a full story, see the following link:

http://blogs.technet.com/antimalware...uild-1592.aspx

Thanks Eric. Installing it now ... :)

Windows Defender download page:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsdefender

Working great:

Windows Defender Version: 1.1.1592.0
Engine Version: 1.1.1609.0
Definition Version: 1.14.1734.6
Product ID: 81664-432-8534294-04329

:)

Eric: A question that you may know the answer to. MS is very upfront and clear that WGA Validation is part and parcel of Defender. And I personally do not have a problem with it.

But what about WGA Notification? There have been several users (me included) that even though our XP OS is legally bought and paid for, objected to the way MS chose to deploy and constantly run Notification. To date, I still have not installed Notification on my home PC.

Do you know if Notification is part of Defender? If you don't know, how could we find out?

SpywareDr--My WinDefender is the same as your except for the last line, which on mine is
Product ID: 81664-406-7041054-04598
Downloaded and installed on Tuesday when ecross' post appeared.

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Originally Posted by Welshjim

SpywareDr--My WinDefender is the same as your except for the last line, which on mine is
Product ID: 81664-406-7041054-04598

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Curious that the Product IDs would be different on a free utility. <shrug> :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Welshjim

Downloaded and installed on Tuesday when ecross' post appeared.

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Yep, must have missed it somehow. :)

For those in the know, should the MS Windows Defender replace any of those apps. we may already have installed or just work in conjunction with those apps. I have not downloaded it----yet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HAN

MS is very upfront and clear that WGA Validation is part and parcel of Defender. And I personally do not have a problem with it.

But what about WGA Notification? There have been several users (me included) that even though our XP OS is legally bought and paid for, objected to the way MS chose to deploy and constantly run Notification. To date, I still have not installed Notification on my home PC.

Do you know if Notification is part of Defender? If you don't know, how could we find out?

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Genuine Microsoft Software > Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow...Question7Label

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Q: What is the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications program?

A: Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications is an opt-in program launched by Microsoft in select markets as part of its continued effort to combat counterfeiting and to create a better Windows experience for users of genuine Microsoft Windows software.

As part of the program, customers worldwide will be invited to install WGA Notifications through Automatic Updates (AU) to confirm that they are running genuine Windows. Customers who are running genuine Windows and opt-in to the program will not see any messages. Customers who are using a non-genuine version of Windows will receive a message during logon that their copy of Windows appears to be non-genuine and will be directed to the WGA Web site to learn more. Users who choose not to obtain a copy of genuine Windows will receive periodic reminders. While the program is presently opt-in, as it expands later in the year, it may become a requirement for the AU service. Regardless of genuine status, users will not be denied access to critical security updates. Users who have not validated their computers as genuine, however, will not be able to install many updates, including Internet Explorer 7.0 and Windows Defender.

Learn more about Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications.

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Originally Posted by buf

... should the MS Windows Defender replace any of those apps. we may already have installed or just work in conjunction with those apps.

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Windows Defender's real-time protection works alongside your other anti-malware/anti-spyware/anti-virus type programs.

Microsoft > Security At Home > Frequently asked questions about Windows Defender
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...about/faq.mspx

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Q. What is Real-Time Protection and how does it help protect me?

A. Real-Time Protection monitors critical checkpoints in Windows. These checkpoints are triggered when programs make changes to your Windows configuration. These changes can occur when you install software on your computer, or they can occur when spyware or other potentially unwanted software attempts to install on your computer.

If the Real-Time Protection system detects a change in any checkpoint, Windows Defender alerts you and provides the option for you to allow or block the change. In some cases—for example, when you install software—you can choose to allow the change in order to continue the installation process.

To configure the Real-Time Protection system, on the Tools menu, click Options. Scroll down to Real-Time Protection options section to view options to activate or deactivate the Real-Time Protection system.

Q. What does Windows Defender do when it finds spyware on my computer?

A. Windows Defender displays detailed information about every spyware program detected, which includes a description of the threat, where it is located on your computer, a risk rating, and a recommended action to take. This information allows you to make informed decisions about removal. You can either remove spyware permanently or temporarily disable it using the Quarantine option.

Q. Is Windows Defender the only security technology from Microsoft?

A. No. There are many different security technologies available from Microsoft. To find out more about antispyware and antivirus technologies and their capabilities, see Windows Defender compared to other Microsoft antispyware and antivirus technologies.

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Thanks SpywareDr for the links and the info. Gotta get Defenders installed!! Sounds good to go for me even though I like to feel that my machines are adequately covered, can't ever be sure.

I have been running the beta version of Defender. What do I need to do?

I am continuing to get updates to Defender. Do I have the latest version or do I need to uninstall and download Defender?

This is the information under "About Defender"

Windows Defender Version: 1.1.1347.0
Engine Version: 1.1.1609.0
Definition Version: 1.14.1736.7


This is the Defender ID information, which was posted upthread.

Windows Defender Version: 1.1.1592.0
Engine Version: 1.1.1609.0
Definition Version: 1.14.1734.6
Product ID: 81664-432-8534294-04329

The Version of Defender is different.

Mine -- 1.1.1347.0 vs upthread -- 1.1.1592.0

The Definition Version is also different.

Mine 1.14.1736.7 vs upthread -- 1.14.1734.6

Thanks for posting this information.

Cheers,

Linda

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Originally Posted by buf

Thanks SpywareDr for the links and the info.

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No problem. Glad to be able to help. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by buf

Gotta get Defenders installed!! Sounds good to go for me even though I like to feel that my machines are adequately covered, can't ever be sure.

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Yep, a "layered protection" approach is the best defense.

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Originally Posted by LindaHewitt

I have been running the beta version of Defender. What do I need to do?

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Simply download and install the new version, right over the old:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsdefender

Works for me. :)

Well, this is the pits. I replaced the new Defender over my beta as you suggested. When I went to install, it said sorry, since I am NOT running XP with SP 2.

I am running W2K with SP 4.

Microsoft is nuts.

It never occurred to me that Microsoft would do something like this, when the beta ran just fine on W2K.

I have no plans to upgrade to XP or to Vista.

Linda

Linda Hewitt--I do not know if this will make you feel any better, but the beta version was scheduled to no longer be supported after Dec. 31 this year. I do not know if it would just die or if you could continue to use it. I am sure you would no longer get updates.

My understanding is that two "active" (running all the time) antispyware programs should not be allowed to run simultaneously. I believe WinDef is an active program as is SpySweeper, for example. AdAware and SpybotS&D are not active (unless you have AdAware Plus or use Immunize in Spybot) but run only when a scan is started manually. Similarly SpywareBlaster is not active, but rather relies on changes to the registry.
Would there be problems running WinDef and, say, SpySweeper at the same time?