Having both Avast and Windows Security plus Defender - Security does not get updates

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

I have Windows Security, the paid app Windows Defender, and Avast Premium on my laptop.

A few days ago, Windows Security stopped getting automatically virus definition updates.

Also, I cannot get any Windows Security virus definition updates if I do it manually.

When doing it, it just says that security intelligence is up to date, but it is not.

Having both programs has not caused any issues until now.

I tried to disable Avast Core Shields and enable Passive Mode, but it did not help to get updates for Windows Security.

Also, I cannot turn on Real-time protection for Security.

What can I do if I want to scan my computer with Windows Security?

Is there a simple solution?

1 Like
2

First, I’m an Avast user and not an Avast Team member.

Ordinarily when you install a 3rd party Antivirus program, Microsoft Windows disables the Windows Defender product to avoid conflict. A bit like two dogs fighting over a bone.

That said, it should still be able to do On-Demand scans, just not active/live/real time scans.

3

Thank you for your response.
Microsoft Defender can still do On-demand scans.
The problem is that Defender cannot get any virus protection updates.

Updates used to come daily, but suddenly they do not download, neither automatically nor manually.

4

Unfortunately I have never used Defender having Had Avast Antivirus Free for over 20 years.

Several points that I feel could be an issue.

Real Time Protection for what Security program ?
Presumably you are talking about Windows and that is a No No as far as running two active antivirus protections together. Each tine one would check a file the other would also be fighting for control over the action.

I don’t know how it (Defender) would go about updating its virus database.
For me on Windows 10, MS Defender is still effectively dormant, as my Settings indicate.

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5

Thank you very much for the information.

I have been running both Windows Security and Avast on my laptop for over a year without any problems. When doing full system scans, Windows Security has found some viruses but Avast not (I think it is because the virus definitions databases are different). But it seems that it is not possible anymore to have both.

6

You’re welcome.

It has been that way (not running two AV programs on the same system) for a long time - the advice not to run two active antivirus programs on the same system.

I would say you have been lucky in not getting a conflict sooner.

Not knowing exactly what these detections were and what the detection was) it isn’t possible to comment. False positive detections do happen in antivirus programs.