Any working (and free) AntiVirus for W8 CP?

InstantSesame

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Good day folks.

Any working (and free) Anti-Virus for W8?

With the default Windows Defender in place, it's just painfully slow to install any software in W8 CP. The initial check will at least take several seconds before the actual installation starts. (msi installations are OK presumably because MS got all their IDs and pre-OK them).

Even copying a 15KB gif file took it more than 10 seconds to check before the actual copying started. And I was copying from a folder in d: to another folder in d:, not even the "sensitive" C partition was involved! (I know it was Defender slowing things down from checking out the process viewer).

The free Avira did not work on my W8 developer preview, and AFAIK MS SE is not yet ready for W8 either.

So would be happy to know a decent replacement for Defender.

Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
Hi there
YES MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) installs --works fine and is COMPLETELY free small and fast. Takes minimal resources too and has frequent virus / spyware definition updates too. Other 3rd party AV software won't have the "innards" of W8 yet for some time -- their AV facilities will be based on how they still do it in W7.

Not sure why YOUR software installs are painfully slow. All of mine are fine.

I installed the ENTIRE CS5.5 Adobe suite with ALL of its updates in around 30 mins on a tiny netbook -- this was in fact QUICKER than the same software installed on W7 on a much more powerful machine.

MS Office pro installed in about 5 mins.

Can't see what the problem is with installs !!.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Hi there -- that was DP -- I'm running on the Consumer preview now --so far its fine.

cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
did you just download the W7 version of MSE, or is there a build for W8CP that I'm not seeing?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Consumer Preview 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme 1322 (GX1322) Desktop PC
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600K CPU @ 3.40GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. Z68AP-D3
    Memory
    8192MB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series
thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Consumer Preview 64-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme 1322 (GX1322) Desktop PC
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600K CPU @ 3.40GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. Z68AP-D3
    Memory
    8192MB RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6800 Series
Windows Defender in Windows 8 is MSE in disguise really as it already includes antivirus. Both McAfee Total Protection Beta and Norton 360 Beta work fine and include firewall and browser protection as well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 Ult SP1 + Win 10 Pro - (x64)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware® ALX X58
    CPU
    Intel® Core i7-975 Extreme 3.86 GHz 8MB Cache
    Motherboard
    ASUS P6T Deluxe V2 Socket 1366 Core i7, Dual Triple Channel DDR3 Mem
    Memory
    24GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz - 6 x 4096MB
    Graphics Card(s)
    1792 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 295/Hauppauge HVR2250 TV Tuner
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    Onboard Soundmax® High definition Sound
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    Samsung XL2370 LED
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080P
    Hard Drives
    2 X 500gb SATA
    1 X 1TB SATA
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    (Non-RAID)
    PSU
    Alienware® 1200 Watt Multi-GPU
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    Alienware® P2 ALX Chassis with AlienIce 3.0 Video Cooling
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    Alienware® High-Perf. Liquid Cooling + Acoustic Dampening
    Keyboard
    Microsoft® Wireless Entertainment 8000 + Logitech® G15 Wired
    Mouse
    Microsoft® Wireless Laser 8000 + Logitech® G9 Wired
    Internet Speed
    1tbs
    Other Info
    Using non-RAID on purpose as I find it too fussy and temperamental.
I've used MSE on Windows 7 since the start and I've had no Viruses at all, and I've been known to hang around some dodgy sites on occassion. As far as Windows 8 CP goes, I too have noticed the installs to be a bit slower as it does more checking on the files, also transferring files. But so far I'm okay with that, its the price you pay for security I suppose. Also they could fix that in upcoming updates.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
I've used MSE on Windows 7 since the start and I've had no Viruses at all, and I've been known to hang around some dodgy sites on occassion. As far as Windows 8 CP goes, I too have noticed the installs to be a bit slower as it does more checking on the files, also transferring files. But so far I'm okay with that, its the price you pay for security I suppose. Also they could fix that in upcoming updates.

Thanks for the feed of info, Bill.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64
Avast 7 Works like a charm
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10.0.10122
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    My Build - Vorttex Ultimate
    CPU
    Core i7 @ 4500 MHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-Plus
    Memory
    32GB DDR3 @ 1822 MHz (OC)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon R9 280X 3GB @ 1180 / 6800 MHz
    Sound Card
    7.1 HDA
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD LG 22" + CRT LG 17"
    Screen Resolution
    1760 x 1320 / 1280 x 960
    Hard Drives
    1 x 240 GB SSD (System)
    3 x 500 GB HDD (Data/Media)
    1 x 2000 GB e-HDD (Backup)
    PSU
    ThermalTake 1000W PSU
    Case
    Corsair Carbide R300
    Cooling
    Corsair H60 (Push-Pull)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
    Browser
    IE, FF, Chrome
    Antivirus
    AVG Internet Security 2015
    Other Info
    Some wired stuff
We should forget about MSE. Billwindows is correct. MSE is now, in fact, the built in Windows defender. But, with MSE still installed in thousands of legacy OSs, at this stage updates will be normal so, hopefully, there is no serious problem whichever you decide to run - until MS inform us otherwise.!
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Use several different computers during a day, so specs are irrelevant.
Avast 7 Works like a charm

Norton 2012 works fine too but not free

is Avast free?
Yes, Avast! is totally free for the basic antivirus (all you need to do is to register in order to receive updates for the full year). They do offer other products based on the free AV, however these are not free. I have used the free version for a good few years now, and never had any problems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dwarf Dwf/11/2012 r09/2013
    CPU
    Intel Core-i5-3570K 4-core @ 3.4GHz (Ivy Bridge) (OC 4.2GHz)
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4-M
    Memory
    4 x 4GB DDR3-1600 Corsair Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B (16GB)
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    MSI GeForce GTX770 Gaming OC 2GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition on board solution (ALC 898)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic VA1912w Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    OCZ Agility 3 120GB SATA III x2 (RAID 0)
    Samsung HD501LJ 500GB SATA II x2
    Hitachi HDS721010CLA332 1TB SATA II
    Iomega 1.5TB Ext USB 2.0
    WD 2.0TB Ext USB 3.0
    PSU
    XFX Pro Series 850W Semi-Modular
    Case
    Gigabyte IF233
    Cooling
    1 x 120mm Front Inlet 1 x 120mm Rear Exhaust
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 (USB)
    Mouse
    Microsoft Comfort Mouse 3000 for Business (USB)
    Internet Speed
    NetGear DG834Gv3 ADSL Modem/Router (Ethernet) ~4.0 Mb/sec (O2)
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    Avast! 8.0.1497 MalwareBytes 1.75.0.1300
    Other Info
    Optical Drive: HL-DT-ST BD-RE BH10LS30 SATA Bluray
    Lexmark S305 Printer/Scanner/Copier (USB)
    WEI Score: 8.1/8.1/8.5/8.5/8.25
    Asus Eee PC 1011PX Netbook (Windows 7 x86 Starter)
We should forget about MSE. Billwindows is correct. MSE is now, in fact, the built in Windows defender. But, with MSE still installed in thousands of legacy OSs, at this stage updates will be normal so, hopefully, there is no serious problem whichever you decide to run - until MS inform us otherwise.!

?????? What a Load of the proverbial.

Why on EARTH should a company like MS release a product which it KNOWS is instrumental to its continuing survival that isn't fit for purpose.

MSE works just fine.

And just pray just where do these 3rd party company AV software firms get their access to the W8 kernel from currently -- I'm sure MS isn't giving away the source code just yet.

Most of the 3rd party AV stuff is actually based on W7 --which although similar IS NOT THE SAME AS W8.

If it isn't then they are just being guilty of Hacking a proprietary product and use of their software should be considered ILLEGAL.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Jimbo,
look here:
How do I keep Windows 8 Consumer Preview secure from malware? - Microsoft Answers
In Windows 8 Consumer Preview, Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials have been combined into a single, pre-installed feature of Windows, named Windows Defender.

Also:
Windows 8 Compatibility for Microsoft security essentials: Drivers, Updates, Downloads

Also:
Capture.PNG
Capture1.PNG

As you can see Windows Defender in Windows 8 has Virus definition and uses almost the same Engines as MSE.
So there is no point on disabling it (which is the same and which is offcially compatible) and installing MSE which is possbily not compatible (it is officially stated as incompatible).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Tetris
At this stage, using the built in "Windows Firewall" and "Windows Defender" is working quite well. no viruses and although I have noticed installs are a tad slower to start once they start they are quicker then Windows XP/7 on my little laptop. so yeah, was running Avast basic before on Windows XP 32 bit now upgraded to Windows 8 CP 64-bit. so much quicker.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 CP 64bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Emachine
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel
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