Computer newbies forum: Would installing Windows Defender cause conflict w/these??

You as well. That's what an "opinion" is all about. We all base our opinions on the experiences we've had with the programs mentioned. As long as your opinions on the "Newbies" forum are civil and you can refrain from personal attacks on users who have different "opinions" than yourself, your posts are welcomed. Please respect others as you would have yourself respected....or your posts will be removed.

Let's look again at the original post.. "Tom4561" currently has FIVE spyware removal tools on the machine with AT LEAST 3 of them running real time. Here's that list again..:

AVG AntiSpyware 7.5 paid edition-realtime protection I think.
Webroot Spysweeper 5.2 paid edition-realtime protection.
AdAware SE Personal 1.06-free edition.
Spyware Blaster-free edition.
I also have Norton Internet Security 2007.(has anti-spyware feature).

I have used all of the tools above AS WELL AS Windows Defender.. In fact, I currently have Windows Defender on the machine I am using at this moment.. I cleanup infected computers as part of my business and I actually use Windows Defender on occasion to perform that service. I also use lots of other tools to clean up those systems and I usually use four or five different tools on the same machine to double check thier results.. In all recent cases, where programs such as SpySweeper, AVG's Antispyware, TrojanHunter, etc are used first, I find NOTHING if Windows Defender is used last. And despite all those other programs having the ability to detect unwanted cookies, unfortunately, Microsoft left out that ability as well..Hmmm

That said, both Spyware Blaster and Webroot's SpySweeper frequently have problems when installed with other "real time" antispyware programs. I've seen and had experience with such problems and as a result, I've had to clean up computers that weren't working correctly when more than one antispyware program was running . It's great that your ONE particular computer is working fine with a similar configuration, but that doesn't mean most machines will work that way. In addition, you might want to read about the various spyware programs that Windows Defender/Microsoft has decided NOT to detect because of political reasons. If you read those reviews you've mentioned, you will find that most indicate that almost any of the other antispyware tools are better.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Got a new PC for the family Christmas. Brought McAffee Security Center with me from the old one. We also switched to a wireless connection. (Which for us country bumkins is very cool!) And BAM! right away we got hijacked by some fake web site selling security software. Did some research and found "CyberDefender w/ toolbar" and got all cleaned and shiney. But I was a bit suprised at the things that were in my PC. Sometimes it's like having another child...I have to watch it all the time. But so far I'm very happy with the "Defender", hopefully I'm not being decieved. Anyone's opinions and/or experiences would be appreciated!

My OS is Win XP/Home and I have 1) Lavasoft's Ad-Aware SE Plus with Ad-Watch (paid), 2) Norton Internet Security 2006 with Antispyware (paid), 3) Webroot Spy Sweeper (paid), 4) MS Windows Defender(free) and 5) Bill P. Studios Win Patrol (free).

I have no conflict between any of these programs. NIS 2006 with Antispyware demanded that I uninstall Spybot S& D which I did.

The only problem that I have had is that MS Windows Defender is updated via MS Windows Update while I can check and download all the other programs manually. MS Windows Defender has never found anything and, frankly, I'm not sure that it is even effective. It just makes me "feel" safer. Perhaps CNET has tested Windows Defender and you/we could find out just how effective it is. I started out with MS Windows Anti-spyware (Beta).

I use Windows Defender along with free versions of AVG, Zone Alarm, Ad-Aware and SpyBot and have had no problems. I added Defender because it runs 'realtime' in the background whereas Ad-Aware and Spybot only run when executed manually. I must admit that I've never had any indication that Defender is accomplishing anything but, as one of the other responders has said, it makes me feel good knowing its there!

I'd advise you to read reviews on OneCare at the Microsoft Onecare forum before installing it or buying into OneCare. If that doesn't convince you, take a read on it at PCMag. Personally, I tried it and although it will run with other software including Ad Aware, my question to you would be why would you want it to ? If I stood in the middle of a field with a fly swatter, would you hire me to protect the USA from killer bees ? I admit it is a poor comparison and a bit of an exaggeration but none the less, it's yet another ploy MS is setting up to get a foot in the door release of OneCare which is free to download and install. It has Defender included and both are free for you to try but getting rid of it might be a bigger undertaking than installing it. Read and heed !

No, there wouldn't be any conflict (I use practically the same configuration and experience no issues). Yes, I'd avise it (and many reviews do too).