8

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?

2
  • 1
    This 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
    Oct 26, 2012 at 13:37
  • You are exactly right. This closed-as-duplicate reason is fallacious. Oct 27, 2012 at 17:42

2 Answers 2

7

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

enter image description here

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.

enter image description here

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.

enter image description here

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.

3
  • 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 Nov 1, 2012 at 9:11
  • @Kirk check out my answer to clear it. :)
    – avirk
    Nov 1, 2012 at 9:57
  • @Kirk you will get that warning(as shown in image) in Windows 8 when you will try it to install.
    – avirk
    Nov 2, 2012 at 6:09
9

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

4
  • That means Security Essentials is obsolete and will only be useful to Windows 7 (and below) users, right?
    – bytecode77
    Oct 26, 2012 at 8:35
  • 1
    The standalone setup is, yes.
    – Michael K
    Oct 26, 2012 at 8:38
  • @MichaelK do you have a source for this? Just curious on reading up on it Nov 1, 2012 at 6:48
  • @Kirk take a Windows 8 and try to install Security Essentials with the setup from their website. Then it will tell you.
    – Michael K
    Nov 1, 2012 at 8:20

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .