Is an AV required to be safe with Windows 7 ?

[JakeXPMan]

@JakeXPMan: It will not uninstall, only protection modules to be disabled. That's how Microsoft implemented for Win 8 to 10 OS version.

I'm using Windows 7 SP1... so same thing?

 

[Online_Sword]

I heard that in win 10, WD sometimes would be turned on again automatically in the background...
I am not sure whether this is a bug or not.
I heard that one approach to solve this problem was to forbidden WD with Group Policy (GPO). I am not sure about this, either...

 

[Online_Sword]

I'm using Windows 7 SP1

I find that some antivirus programs (like CIS v8) do not disable WD on win 7 automatically. So I disable it manually.

 

[jamescv7]

@JakeXPMan: Well it should act the same thing. If not then disable manually.

 

[LabZero]

I'm using Windows 7 SP1... so same thing?

On Windows 7/8.1 to disable WD:

Open up Windows Defender, go to Tools on the top menu, and then click on Options.
Now click on Administrator on the left-hand pane, uncheck the box for “Use this program”, and click the Save button.
You will then be told that the program is turned off.

 

[JakeXPMan]

On Windows 7/8.1 to disable WD:

Open up Windows Defender, go to Tools on the top menu, and then click on Options.
Now click on Administrator on the left-hand pane, uncheck the box for “Use this program”, and click the Save button.
You will then be told that the program is turned off.

Thanks

This will help when I install an Antivirus on my Windows 7 desktop.

I'm holding out for when I start to download more, browse sites and move files around etc. I'm still safe surfing to the same few sites and scan afterward with MBAM.

 

[Ink]

Should one remove Windows Defender before installing an antivirus program?

For Windows 10, 8.1 and 8 - Windows Defender = Built-in Antivirus + Antispyware Protection. If you install a third-party Antivirus or Security Suite, it will automatically be disabled. Although in some cases it doesn't and requires manual procedures, as instructed in a previous post.
Windows Defender cannot be uninstalled, only disabled.

For Windows 7 and Vista - Windows Defender = Built-in Antispyware Protection (previously GIANT Antispyware). If you install Microsoft Security Essentials, it will automatically be disabled. You can manually disable Windows Defender if you choose other third-party Antivirus software.
Windows Defender cannot be uninstalled, only disabled.

Microsoft Security Essentials can be installed on Windows XP, Vista and 7, and is an Antivirus + Antispyware software for Windows. It cannot be installed on Windows 8, 8.1 or 10.

Microsoft Security Essentials is equivalent to 'Windows Defender on Windows 8.1' and 10. Windows 8 does not have the Network Inspection Service, as seen in later versions of Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials.

Windows 7 was released in 2009.

 

[KokoKid]

Better safe then sorry in my opinion.