Windows Defender Activation

Archie8 · Jul 29, 2013

Hi Guys

Just got a new PC computer with windows 8 & IE10

Came with Norton AV & Firewall installed and activated, I want to use Windows Defender but cant turn it on. Get a message saying go to Action Centre check settings.

Tried deactivating Norton AV & Firewall permanently still cant activate Defender :cry:

This new Operating System is just not user friendly at all. I have used pretty much every version of Windows since Ver 3.0 I used DOS before the days of Windows and I have to say this has to be the worst version of Windows and IMHO should never have been installed on a PC.

JustATest · Jul 29, 2013

Archie8 said:
Tried deactivating Norton AV & Firewall permanently still cant activate Defender

You may have to run the Norton uninstall tool to get completely rid of Norton to allow Defender to work. I assume you did an uninstall of Norton; yes? https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/kb20080710133834EN_EndUserProfile_en_us

Archie8 · Jul 29, 2013

Hi JustATest

No I didn't uninstall Norton, it's a new computer and I didn't want to uninstall any software at this time as it is still under warranty. I had Norton installed on another computer and could switch between Norton and Defender by simply deactivating one or the other. When I clicked on the Defender Icon I would ask if I wanted to turn on Defender as my default. This doesn't happened with Windows 8 IE 10

JustATest · Jul 29, 2013

Archie8 said:
Hi JustATest

No I didn't uninstall Norton, it's a new computer and I didn't want to uninstall any software at this time as it is still under warranty. I had Norton installed on another computer and could switch between Norton and Defender by simply deactivating one or the other. When I clicked on the Defender Icon I would ask if I wanted to turn on Defender as my default. This doesn't happened with Windows 8 IE 10

I thought as much. However, there may be distinct differences between what worked on one computer and what doesn't work on another. Different OSs with different Norton versions may react differently. BTW, you would not void your warranty if you uninstalled Norton; however, if you paid for it, why are you even bothering to switch? Anyway, as far as my recommendations go, I can't get past a possible conflict with Norton. You may have disabled it but I betcha you still have several Norton-related processes running in the background. Good luck with your issue.

Archie8 · Jul 30, 2013

Hi JustATest

Sure I know what you mean about the differences between one computer and the next and issues with software and OS. I didn't purchase Norton. It came pre installed, I just don't want to use it. I am just hoping someone from MS can jump in here with a magic wand and come up with a solution. Clearly that's not going to happen. WE the USERs will end up Beta testing and they will reap the benefits.. Ps excuse my rant I just want to get this up an running so that I can get on. I am still struggling to set up a POP3 mail account with my ISP mail box, I have decided to run with Norton for now until I get time to look at this again. But I really want to use Defender in the long run. Thanks for your input.

JustATest · Jul 30, 2013

Again, don't be afraid to uninstall Norton. It will not void your warranty. Use the clean uninstall tool only if required. And, if you registered with Norton, you can always reinstall it again. The only other thing I could think of is you can try to disable all appearances of Norton in the startup view (task manager). This might work for you but no guarantees. BTW, why not start a new thread for your POP3 issue. Just make sure you provide all the details (email client, email provider, etc). Hope this information has helped.

Hopachi · Jul 30, 2013

I agree to uninstall Norton in that case.
Some advanced elements don't allow a disable. There is no in-between solution because they guarantee full protection only if all services are running properly. Multiple AV programs and firewalls will conflict with each other and you might need some advanced tweaking (no good between some programs) but the easy way and safest solution is by using only one of those programs that offer similar protection services.

If you have a Norton key, save it / note it down and you can use Norton later / any time as long its license didn't expire.

robinb9 · Jul 30, 2013

Windows defender is an antivirus program, norton is an antivirus program. Rule of thumb is to not run both at the same time or have two installed. In this case in windows 8 since you cannot uninstall windows defender, so the antivirus protection, in your case Norton, will disable WD. WD is built for windows 8 and is an excellent antivirus protection. My advice is to uninstall Norton, it will not void your warranty, and use WD

CountMike · Aug 2, 2013

Not a Norton lower by any stretch but it is much better than WD, actually, most AVs, even free ones, are better as far as protection is concerned.

Hopachi · Aug 2, 2013

CountMike said:
Not a Norton lower by any stretch but it is much better than WD, actually, most AVs, even free ones, are better as far as protection is concerned.

I use WD only and no problems whatsoever.
Did you ever used WD on 8 to confirm?

CountMike · Aug 2, 2013

Hopachi said:
CountMike said:

Not a Norton lower by any stretch but it is much better than WD, actually, most AVs, even free ones, are better as far as protection is concerned.

Click to expand...

I use WD only and no problems whatsoever.
Did you ever used WD on 8 to confirm?

Yes until finished with setup and customization of windows, couple of days, and when I installed Avast it found bunch of bad stuff on first scan. Also had to clean up few other computers that were using WD only. Mind you, those were owned by people that did not know much about protection on the net or were sticking USB mem sticks from schools and such places. With proper care taken when on internet, I think that Defender might be enough for most part but for heavy use just will not cut it. For one, it is not nearly often enough updated, Avast updates sometimes 5 times a day and even like that it can not always keep up with new stuff. I was fan of NOD32 for long time but now I prefer to have few security layers. Using Avast free, that does not seem to conflict with WD but I shut WD service anyway because it is not needed at the same time. I also use McShield which is also free and works automatically when USB memory stick is inserted. It is very light on the system, scans faster than general purpose AVs and is updated almost every day.
Mind you, my computers, specially this main one which is on and on the internet 24/7 see a lot of traffic, both on and off the internet so I like to be better safe than sorry. I also do weekly scans with Avast and few other ones that address specific treats. My whole home network is protected by hardware firewall and a proxy server with daily backups of important files. In case you are wandering, I am not paranoid but have a real need to keep important stuff safe and not to unintentionally spread malware if I can help it.

Hopachi · Aug 4, 2013

CountMike said:
Hopachi said:

CountMike said:

Not a Norton lower by any stretch but it is much better than WD, actually, most AVs, even free ones, are better as far as protection is concerned.

Click to expand...

I use WD only and no problems whatsoever.
Did you ever used WD on 8 to confirm?

Click to expand...

Yes until finished with setup and customization of windows, couple of days, and when I installed Avast it found bunch of bad stuff on first scan. Also had to clean up few other computers that were using WD only. Mind you, those were owned by people that did not know much about protection on the net or were sticking USB mem sticks from schools and such places. With proper care taken when on internet, I think that Defender might be enough for most part but for heavy use just will not cut it. For one, it is not nearly often enough updated, Avast updates sometimes 5 times a day and even like that it can not always keep up with new stuff. I was fan of NOD32 for long time but now I prefer to have few security layers. Using Avast free, that does not seem to conflict with WD but I shut WD service anyway because it is not needed at the same time. I also use McShield which is also free and works automatically when USB memory stick is inserted. It is very light on the system, scans faster than general purpose AVs and is updated almost every day.
Mind you, my computers, specially this main one which is on and on the internet 24/7 see a lot of traffic, both on and off the internet so I like to be better safe than sorry. I also do weekly scans with Avast and few other ones that address specific treats. My whole home network is protected by hardware firewall and a proxy server with daily backups of important files. In case you are wandering, I am not paranoid but have a real need to keep important stuff safe and not to unintentionally spread malware if I can help it.

Yes it's better to scan the system and check with multiple programs just to make sure.
Better safe than sorry.

Now that you gave me ideas, I've scanned with Avast and it didn't found anything so I'm keeping Defender...
It really depends on the user and what he/she is using daily. If you are careful enough, your machine has less chance to get infected.

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