# Why does Windows Defender have to suck so bad? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 28, 2011, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595 "2011-12-28T03:28:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Sinaptics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Sinaptics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaptics)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/41 "2011-12-28T15:30:37Z")
I didn’t see anyone mention is, so…Are you using Internet Explorer? Cause if so, that’s your problem. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/42 "2011-12-28T15:44:51Z")
[QUOTE=Try2B Comprehensive] You gotta be kidding. Windows 7 for a 64 bit machine costs $99.99. How many millions of those do they sell? Are you saying I’m silly for expecting a quality product??? I think you are the silly one, silly pants. [/QUOTE] Nope, not kidding at all. You are paying for an OS to run your computer there. A decent paid AV program is going to cost you anywhere from $20-40, but you expect Microsoft to just bundle that into your $99 OS? Even leaving aside the lawsuits that Microsoft would go through (hell, you’d probably be one of the ones screaming for Microsoft to be broken up in an anti-trust lawsuit :p), that would add additional costs onto the price. Plus it would make the thing even more bloated and, in the end, most people would probably still turn it off and go with some 3rd party AV/AM software (I know I would). All it would accomplish is making the OS cost more and run slower and giving you something else to bitch about. Long story short, I’m saying that you are silly for expecting something that would be stupid for MS to put into their OS and then saying that this equates to a ‘quality product’…yes. As to my pants, well…sure, they ARE silly. But I really like baggy checkered golf pants on a Tuesday, and on me they look dashing… -XT ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/43 "2011-12-28T15:46:04Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Right right, lesson learned. I targeted Defender during my second re-install when the OS asked if I wanted Defender enabled, ‘which protects your computer from malware’ or some such. MSE, got it. But… I’ve still got Avast on here, so will Those two interfere with each other? I’ve only ever seen that it’s not recommended to have two running at the same time. never tried it myself. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/44 "2011-12-28T17:01:32Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > I wonder if I got the virus through Steam… Not sure if it’s common to get viruses from Steam via the normal retail game distribution platform, but a couple of times I did have my A/V light up while downloading a custom multiplayer map from a third-party game server, in a game purchased from Steam (Day of Defeat). ---
**Author:** ![Bambro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df705f/32.png) [@Bambro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bambro)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/45 "2011-12-28T18:34:45Z")
[Ways to contact Microsoft for support](http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/contact-support) As a licensed owner of a Microsoft OS you are entitled to certain number of support incidents for free. Now then, it is completely up to you to decide if you want to waste one of those free support incidents. Or, you could learn how to use a PC without clicking on stupid shit or doing stupid shit in general. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/46 "2011-12-28T18:35:15Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Not sure if it’s common to get viruses from Steam via the normal retail game distribution platform, but a couple of times I did have my A/V light up while downloading a custom multiplayer map from a third-party game server, in a game purchased from Steam (Day of Defeat). ISTR a Steam game causing false positives. Don’t recall which, though. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/47 "2011-12-28T19:15:23Z")
I got some warnings and such with Skyrim, especially one of the patches. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Interconnected\_Series\_of\_Tubes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/13edae/32.png) [@Interconnected\_Series\_of\_Tubes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interconnected_Series_of_Tubes)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/48 "2011-12-28T19:18:30Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > I wonder if I got the virus through Steam… Oh, I missed this the first time around. Ho ho ho ho ho! That’s rich. Yeah, it was probably Valve. Virus coding bastards. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/49 "2011-12-28T19:34:33Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Sheesh, is it so wrong to be irked off when things go wrong and waste a bunch of my time 😕 Nope. It’s wrong to pull out the scattergun and start shooting at the wrong targets. And then trying to justify shooting at the wrong targets, Dick Cheney style. The right way would be to pit the virus writers. They are the number one problem. Then when it is explained that Windows Defender defends only against spyware and is not a full anti-virus, go :smack: to yourself. Or, is you are running Avast alongside Windows Defender, blame Avast, but only after making sure that it is current, it is running, and it is performing scans when you are away from your computer. Also, it doesn’t hurt to ensure that Windows is updated. Windows 7 is, at heart, nothing but an operating system with a bunch of frills added in. When Microsoft floated the idea of including AV software with the OS, Norton, McAfee, _et al_ made noise about anti-trust. So Microsoft offers its full antivirus for free, but does not bundle it with the OS. Instead Norton and McAfee pay vendors to bundle their AV programs with new computers and smart users have to get rid of their bloated, costly products before getting down to computing. Lastly, don’t forget a :smack: for yourself _if_ engaging in unsafe web surfing. > [@Sinaptics](#): > > I didn’t see anyone mention is, so…Are you using Internet Explorer? Cause if so, that’s your problem. Not necessarily. The newest versions are as secure as any browser. Chrome and Firefox are still better browsers, but anyone who keeps IE up-to-date is no more vulnerable than others. Those using IE5…one of these :smack: for them too. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2011, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/50 "2011-12-28T19:48:27Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > A computer scientist recommended Avast, so I installed that and paid for the subscription- _which I totally should not have to do!!!_ But there you go. > > I didn’t disable defender though. Will they interfere with each other? If so, how do I do it? Why shouldn’t you have to pay for the anti-virus subscription? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/51 "2011-12-29T04:07:41Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Is this not 2011? We live in a world of varied experts. I will guarantee you that there are vastly more people in this world who are trying to hack into and install viruses on Windows machines than there are people who can do an appendectomy. Or defend a computer against viruses. Yep it’s 2011. Children in Romania are now free and they have computers and computer magazines and cheap computers and mad skillz at virus writing. People from Russia and Nigeria and China and Arkansas are all online and have access to all sorts of technology right in their homes and they are all learning to write viruses because it’s fun for them and often profitable (or at least a resume builder). If you are under the delusion that the future of computing is in making sure your PC stays safe and you should be able to click around willy-nilly without the consequences of picking up a virus then you’re just dumb. The future of technology is spam, hacking, viruses and griefing. Oh yeah and I’m a Microsoft fangirl and I think you should buy a Mac too. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/52 "2011-12-29T04:41:38Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Nice try. Has anyone’s ipad crashed from viruses? Plenty of dumb people use those without the entire thing getting hijacked. This point has likely been already made, but tens of millions of people use Windows machines without getting hijacked either. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/53 "2011-12-29T04:50:23Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Macs get less viruses for the same reason that ugly guys get fewer STDs. So you’re saying the solution is smaller peripherals. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Niply\_Elder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@The\_Niply\_Elder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Niply_Elder)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/54 "2011-12-29T05:01:17Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Macs get less viruses for the same reason that ugly guys get fewer STDs. Converse: Windows gets more viruses for the same reason crack whores get more STDs… :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/55 "2011-12-29T05:06:24Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > Besides, you might be disappointed in your anti-virus but just imagine how all those scientists in Iran feel! Now there is a closed system surrounded by fanatics with guns and missiles and shit and they still get a virus that ruins all their work, wrecks their actual hardware (by causing centrifuges to spin too fast and/or too slowly) and adapts to their attempts to remove it. And you’re upset about losing your bookmarks?!?! Iran is rather threatening to Israel. Israel is the Jewish state you know, and Iran’s official position is apparently anti-semetic: they are on record as holocaust-deniers. And they have a nuclear program whose critics maintain is meant to achieve a nuclear weapon. So for (allegedly) Jewish hackers to compromise that system makes a whole lotta sense. Except for the part where the Iranian nuclear scientists are relying on Windows Defender, wtf!? I did pack some cannon with canister shot and fire them at close to point-blank range at some Prussian infantry, but that was just a game, hosted by Steam. It would be vanity at best to presume that I am being hacked by that kind of entity. Plus, I really had a lot of bookmarks. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/56 "2011-12-29T05:20:41Z")
> [@D\_Odds](#): > > Nope. It’s wrong to pull out the scattergun and start shooting at the wrong targets. And then trying to justify shooting at the wrong targets, Dick Cheney style. Pfft. This ain’t no shotgun. I’m not Dick. You can put lipstick on a pig… > [@](#): > > The right way would be to pit the virus writers. They are the number one problem. But I did pit them. I called them ‘malicious morons’. That’s not very nice. \*\*xtisme \*\*was being irksome, but all I called _him_ was ‘silly pants’. > [@](#): > > Then when it is explained that Windows Defender defends only against spyware and is not a full anti-virus, go :smack: to yourself. Or, is you are running Avast alongside Windows Defender, blame Avast, but only after making sure that it is current, it is running, and it is performing scans when you are away from your computer. Also, it doesn’t hurt to ensure that Windows is updated It should be obvious that my complains ultimately is with Windows7. It should not be so vulnerable to having its registry keys altered in such a buggy way, that’s all. Maybe a 3rd party and some proper maintenence will also help. > [@](#): > > Windows 7 is, at heart, nothing but an operating system with a bunch of frills added in. When Microsoft floated the idea of including AV software with the OS, Norton, McAfee, _et al_ made noise about anti-trust. So Microsoft offers its full antivirus for free, but does not bundle it with the OS. Instead Norton and McAfee pay vendors to bundle their AV programs with new computers and smart users have to get rid of their bloated, costly products before getting down to computing. Yah well I recognized and got rid of those guys, but made the mistake of expecting Windows 7 to take care of itself. It can’t. > [@](#): > > Lastly, don’t forget a :smack: for yourself _if_ engaging in unsafe web surfing. What’s that? And, how much nanny motives must I presume in my software designers? ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/57 "2011-12-29T05:21:50Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Why shouldn’t you have to pay for the anti-virus subscription? I (apparently foolishly) expected Windows7 to take care of itself. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/58 "2011-12-29T05:25:03Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Oh yeah and I’m a Microsoft fangirl and I think you should buy a Mac too. What, I did. An ipad anyway, for my gf for xmas. It booted up pretty quick out of the box. It is pretty cool. I get to keep my buggin’ device too. ---
**Author:** ![Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/43a26b/32.png) [@Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pine_Fresh_Scent)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/59 "2011-12-29T06:23:32Z")
There’s a “favorites” folder under the “users” folder that stores all your internet bookmarks. Just find the user folder with your name and you should be able to cut and paste the entire “favorites” folder to a flash drive for storage then paste it back to its original location after you reformat your laptop. No connectivity needed. Your favorites will show up next time you open Explorer after you do this. Or just do a search for “favorites” and it should bring up the folder and you can backtrack the folder location for later re-installation. Burning this folder to CD saves me a lot of time when switching computers at work every year or so. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2011, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595/60 "2011-12-29T15:03:23Z")
Or you can tell Google Chrome to save your bookmarks to your Google account and they’ll show up automatically on any computer when you log into your Google account via Chrome. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-windows-defender-have-to-suck-so-bad/607595.md?page=4)