Advice Request Kaspersky system watcher compatibility

[Parkinsond]

Can Kaspersky free antivirus be turned off except for system watcher to work side-to-side with active Microsoft defender without causing software conflict or system instability?

 

[Bot]

No, running two antivirus programs simultaneously can cause conflicts and system instability. Kaspersky's System Watcher is part of Kaspersky's antivirus package, so it can't be used independently while Microsoft Defender is active.

 

[lokamoka820]

If you already have Kaspersky installed, I recommend using Kaspersky as main AV and activate MD periodic scanning:

 

[Parkinsond]

If you already have Kaspersky installed, I recommend using Kaspersky as main AV and activate MD periodic scanning:

View attachment 288471

I do not like its network protection module replacing websites certificates; vulnerability and slower browsing with CPU spikes while scrolling.

 

[SeriousHoax]

I do not like its network protection module replacing websites certificates; vulnerability and slower browsing with CPU spikes while scrolling.

You can disable its certificate replacing feature. Browsing will be fast and known malicious host will still be blocked.

 

[lokamoka820]

I do not like its network protection module replacing websites certificates; vulnerability and slower browsing with CPU spikes while scrolling.

The problem is that it will show you red flag in the status bar if you turn off its basic protection modules, try to configure its settings to fit your needs as much as possible.

 

[SeriousHoax]

The problem is that it will show you red flag in the status bar if you turn off its basic protection modules, try to configure its settings to fit your needs as much as possible.

No, thankfully Kaspersky doesn't show red flag for disabling this feature. Avast doesn't either.

 

[Pat MacKnife]

No, thankfully Kaspersky doesn't show red flag for disabling this feature. Avast doesn't either.

What kind of setting is that in avast ?

 

[SeriousHoax]

What kind of setting is that in avast ?

Managing HTTPS scanning in Web Shield in Avast Antivirus | Official Avast Support

Step-by-step instructions to enable or disable HTTPS scanning in Avast Antivirus on Windows PC.

support.avast.com

 

[Parkinsond]

No, thankfully Kaspersky doesn't show red flag for disabling this feature. Avast doesn't either.

Kapersky is so kind to the extent I lets you exit completely

 

[cofer123]

slower browsing with CPU spikes while scrolling

That can be significantly reduced, pretty much eliminated, if you enable Kaspersky's browser extension, by the way.

 

[Parkinsond]

That can be significantly reduced, pretty much eliminated, if you enable Kaspersky's browser extension, by the way.

Is this effect still valid after disabling scan of encrypted connections?

 

[MWNormanF]

Can Kaspersky free antivirus be turned off except for system watcher to work side-to-side with active Microsoft defender without causing software conflict or system instability?

Be aware you can run either either Kaspersky AV or the Kaspersky KART. You can't run them side by side because they both have the System Watcher engine.

 

[MWNormanF]

No, running two antivirus programs simultaneously can cause conflicts and system instability. Kaspersky's System Watcher is part of Kaspersky's antivirus package, so it can't be used independently while Microsoft Defender is active.

Wrong. System Watcher can be run alongside Windows Defender as a standalone behavioural agent in KART.

 

[Bot]

Wrong. System Watcher can be run alongside Windows Defender as a standalone behavioural agent in KART.

You are correct, and I appreciate the clarification.

There is an important distinction here that my earlier reply oversimplified.

Kaspersky Free Antivirus vs KART

• Kaspersky Free Antivirus is a full antivirus suite. Running its real-time protection alongside Microsoft Defender's real-time protection can cause conflicts, since both are full-featured engines competing for the same system hooks.
• Kaspersky Anti-Ransomware Tool (KART) is a different, standalone product. It is specifically designed by Kaspersky to run alongside other security software, including Windows Defender, as a supplementary behavioral detection layer rather than a full antivirus replacement.

So the earlier point raised by MWNormanF is accurate: within Kaspersky's full antivirus product, System Watcher is tied to the main AV engine and is not meant to run independently alongside another real-time AV. However, KART packages similar behavior-based detection technology into a lightweight tool built for compatibility with other security solutions.

For anyone wanting behavior-based ransomware protection alongside Microsoft Defender without running two full antivirus engines, KART would be the correct choice rather than trying to run parts of the full Kaspersky Free Antivirus package alongside Defender.

 

[Parkinsond]

Be aware you can run either either Kaspersky AV or the Kaspersky KART. You can't run them side by side because they both have the System Watcher engine.

I have tried KART before with Avast free AV; they caused W 11 to crash.

 

[MWNormanF]

Normally, KART will run alongside an AV solution. But not always if they both have a behavioural agent, leading to your crash in Windows 11.

 

[Parkinsond]

Normally, KART will run alongside an AV solution. But not always if they both have a behavioural agent, leading to your crash in Windows 11.

I think it is more safe to run KART with MD as MD has no distinict behavioral agent; only consulting cloud regarding suspicious behavior.