Update to latest Avast (12.3.2280) turned off Windows Defender on Windows 7

Updated to Avast 12.3.2280(build 12.3.3154.2), from v10 a few days ago. Running Windows 7 HP.

Had noticed that there hadn’t been any Windows Defender updates in the last few days, but hadn’t made the connection.

Went to run Windows Defender and found that it was turned off and could not readily turn it back on due to group policy.

Checked my spare laptop that I’d updated Avast on at the same time. Same issue.

I’m aware that Avast does not “like” Defender from Win8 onwards. But the two have happily sat side by side since I’ve had Win7, so why the sudden change?

Furthermore, why hasn’t Avast warned / advised me rather than just turning off Defender?

And before anyone slates, Defender (esp. with Win 7), all I can say is that I have had a couple of occasions when it has saved the day.

Windows is turning Defender off when a av is installed.
avast is doing it in Windows versions prior to where where Windows is doing it itself.

This has already been explained in other threads.
Please (re)search before posting.

See here :

https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=189162.0