Windows Defender vs. Security Essentials in Windows 8

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What is the difference between Windows Defender on Windows 8 and Microsoft Security Essentials? They practically look alike, so is there a need to install Security Essentials?

bytecode77

Posted 2012-10-26T08:30:55.610

Reputation: 971

1This is not a duplicate as the Windows Defender of Windows 8 differs heavily from the one in Windows 7 and this is a Windows 8 related question. – bytecode77 – 2012-10-26T13:37:24.350

You are exactly right. This closed-as-duplicate reason is fallacious. – Chris W. Rea – 2012-10-27T17:42:53.923

Answers

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Microsoft says

Windows Defender for Windows 8 and Windows RT provides the same level of protection against malware as Microsoft Security Essentials. You can't use Microsoft Security Essentials with Windows 8, but you don't need to — Windows Defender is already included and ready to go. But if you’re looking to protect a PC with an older version of Windows, you can use Microsoft Security Essentials to help guard against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It provides free real-time protection for your home or small business PCs.

When you try to install the MS Essentials on your Windows 8 then you will get a popup message from Program Compatibility Assistant

This program has a compatibility issues

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As we can see Windows 8 come along with Windows Defender which has the same feature as MS Essentials has on older Windows.

You have to update it like MS Essential to keep your system protected.

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You have the setting options like MS Essential.

enter image description here

I'm just looking a new feature Microsoft Active Protection Service(MAPS) in the settings tab or may be its already there and I noticed it now.

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Only they are giving a lack of integration of right click and scan a file/folder/drive which you can achieve with a registry hack. For this read my question here.

avirk

Posted 2012-10-26T08:30:55.610

Reputation: 15 151

MAPS is the new name for Microsoft SpyNet, which I'm pretty sure used to be in MSSE...but then I've been using ForeFront Client Security/System Center Endpoint Protection for some time now and they both definitely have it – Graham Wager – 2012-11-01T09:11:50.697

@Kirk check out my answer to clear it. :) – avirk – 2012-11-01T09:57:21.163

@Kirk you will get that warning(as shown in image) in Windows 8 when you will try it to install. – avirk – 2012-11-02T06:09:01.267

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Security Essentials was integrated into the system on Windows 8 and does not need to be installed.

Michael K

Posted 2012-10-26T08:30:55.610

Reputation: 3 308

That means Security Essentials is obsolete and will only be useful to Windows 7 (and below) users, right? – bytecode77 – 2012-10-26T08:35:14.637

1The standalone setup is, yes. – Michael K – 2012-10-26T08:38:15.443

@MichaelK do you have a source for this? Just curious on reading up on it – Kirk Ouimet – 2012-11-01T06:48:21.443

@Kirk take a Windows 8 and try to install Security Essentials with the setup from their website. Then it will tell you. – Michael K – 2012-11-01T08:20:02.690