Windows Vista forum: Windows Defender

I tried running Windows Update thinking the same thing, but it said Windows was up to date. Windows Defender still says it's out of date.

I think I had this problem once so I uninstalled Defender and redownloaded and installed it . I assume I had a corrupt file.

How do you uninstall Defender? I can't uninstall it from the control panel.

This problem has been around since last September. Dont waste your time looking on Microsoft's sites for solution.
This worked for me:
1. Go to Windows Security Center, select Windows Update from lefthand pane area.
2. View your update history by clicking on underlined "view update history" . Check how recent you have been getting auto updates - you may find that you have not been getting them for some time, even if you have auto update selected.
3. Select change settings from the lefthand pane.
4. Select Never check for updates and uncheck all check boxes. Note that if you have Microsofts update service checked you will have to go back and re-activate it later to get back its check box.
5. Select OK to OK all the changes - this will turn off all auto updates.
6. Exit out of the Windows security Center. Have a cup of coffee. Then Go back to the Windows Security Center and check for updates (you have to be online). You will no doubt find that you have several - I had 9 - updates that were never automatically downloaded, including the latest Defender update.
7. Update your computer, then go back and re-enstate auto updating in reverse of steps 1-4.

Although it does not happen every month, I have had to continue to do this every time the update problem re-occurs.
Good luck.

All I want to do is uninstall Windows Defender and rid myself of it once and for all. It has not and will not update since April 23, 2007. Microsoft troubleshooting instructions are too cumbersome and complicated... not worth time and effort fooling with it.

May have missed it but I am finding no way to remove the program... its not listed in the Control Panel under Programs and Features. Anyone know a way. I want to completely remove it and not disable it.

Glenn

I have no intention of hacking away at it nor the stomach to attempt it. I am nearing the limits of patience with Vista. I know it is the worst operating system I have ever experienced including Windows ME. It has more bugs than Carter has liver pills. Every day something has changed or does not operate as designed. Just today the Control Panel is changed from the Classic View for some sudden and unknown reason. The link in the left sidebar to change back to Classic view does not function as designed... nothing happens!

My apologies for complaining but this system stinks... may be secure but surely not functional! If Microsoft could not make it functional in 5 years in the making, then I certainly am in no position to make it work.

I am about ready to give it the boot (no pun intended)! It's little wonder there is such reluctance in accepting the software by government and business where dependability is critical. I know there are some who will disagree and they are entitled to their opinion. I only know my experience on a new machine that was designed for the O/S. I had no option to decline Vista. That stinks too but is a whole other story!

Sorry for the rant!

Glenn

The biggest problem with Windows Defender is its need to constantly reboot your computer to install its updates. That's why I got rid of it. To shut this silly piece of junkware off, just open it up from the start menu. Then click tools, options, and unclick the "Use Windows Defender" box. You'll have to scroll down to the bottom where the admin options are.

I was getting a Windows Defender error from any user at logon.
I finally tried this and it worked for me. You can not delete Windows Defender folder or the contained files. So try this...

Click START. Goto All Programs - Accessories. Right-click on command prompt. Choose Run as Administrator. Click Continue.
Type cd \program files
Type(with quotes) ren "windows defender" defender
Type exit
Reboot

My errors quit and Defender no longer loads. THIS DOES NOT REMOVE DEFENDER, it only renames it so windoze wont find it. You still can not remove the folder or files, but I haven't tried 'safe mode' yet.