IS WINDOWS DEFENDER OFF???

Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security
1

Hello can anyone help me please?
I’ve just upgraded my laptops wo Win 10 from Win 7. So I have Windows Defender by default.
I’ve reinstalled Avast but “Windows Security” says Antivirus is on! Is it referring to Windows Defender AV or to Avast?
I read that Avast will disable Windows AV…but how to I verify this.
I don’t want Windows AV & Avast running do I?
Many thanks

2

Once you install a 3rd party antivirus, such as Avast, then Windows disabled Windows Defender so there isn’t any conflict.

You can however allow Defender to do periodic scans, personally I elect not to do that.

Just hit the Windows key on your keyboard and type defender, from that click the Viruses & Threat Protection to see details and options.

3

Thanks DavidR. Can I turn the Defender Firewall off too please?

4

Information relating to the Defender Firewall is in there as well.
I use the Windows firewall and not another firewall, I don’t know if the same thing happens (as with antivirus) when you install a 3rd party firewall, e.g the windows one is disabled.

5

Yes, the same thing happens for the firewall.

6

I thought that would be the case :slight_smile:

7

Some suites such as Avast, Mcafee etc. that incorporate Firewall, when installed, block Windows Firewall and go on to control connections with their own Firewall,

As for external firewalls, there are currently not many options available… Zone Alarm, Comodo Firewall, or Glass Wire,in these cases you have to look at the directions.

Glass wire should work next to the windows firewall, while in the others, you have to disable it manually, although it can coexist with Windows Firewall in both cases

8

It isn’t so much that they disable the windows firewall but the Windows Security (Firewall & Network Protection), in the same way as disabling Windows Defender when a 3rd party antivirus is installed.

As confirmed in AZBruno’s post.

9

The third-party app doesn’t turn off Microsoft Security (formerly called Defender)
MS Security simply turns itself off (it gets out of the way of the third-party AV installed.)
If that Antivirus contains a firewall, MS also turns off its firewall.
If the AV doesn’t have a firewall than MS Security continues to protect you with its firewall.
Once you remove the third-party protection, Microsoft Security again activates and takes over your protection.