Defender Definition Updates

[pipmeister]

Should we be concerned that the recent daily Definition Updates for Windows Defender have been rather large?

As a rule, they used to be around 300k - 500k each day, but more recently they have been around 1.5M - 2.5M.


I am using Windows 8.1 64-bit in an HP Pavilion 500 – 268ea Desktop Intel Core i7, 8GB Ram, 2TB.


Pip.

 

[pipmeister]

Should we be concerned that the recent daily Definition Updates for Windows Defender have been rather large?

As a rule, they used to be around 300k - 500k each day, but more recently they have been around 1.5M - 2.5M.


I am using Windows 8.1 64-bit in an HP Pavilion 500 – 268ea Desktop Intel Core i7, 8GB Ram, 2TB.


Pip.

Perhaps I should have put it like this:

Has anyone noticed how the recent daily Definition Updates for Windows Defender have been rather large - compared to how they have previously been?

This seemed to start around the same time as the controversial KB3000850 update for Windows 8.1 for x64-based Systems.

I had no problem myself with installing the KB3000850 System update, although I have read on here that issues with installing it may possibly be associated with using Avast.

Is it possible that the daily update for Windows Defender (now approximately 5 times the size as usual) are as a result of the KB3000850 System update?

Pip.

 

[LovingWindows]

Haven't really noticed, but then again I run a .vbs file in task scheduler that will check for/update definitions silently for me every 5 minutes.

 

[Yorky]

Re the post by 'LovingWindows' and reference to running a .vbs file in scheduler to check for definitions.
Yesterday I decided to activate Windows Defender after a number of years using 3rd party A/V program.
May I ask just how you go about creating/running such a task please?
Thank you.

 

[LovingWindows]

Re the post by 'LovingWindows' and reference to running a .vbs file in scheduler to check for definitions.
Yesterday I decided to activate Windows Defender after a number of years using 3rd party A/V program.
May I ask just how you go about creating/running such a task please?
Thank you.

Save this code as a .vbs file, like Defender.vbs:

set objShell = createobject("wscript.shell")  
objShell.Run("""C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe"" ""-SignatureUpdate""") , 0

1. Control Panel > System & Security > Administrative Tools / Schedule Tasks
2. Right click Task Scheduler Library and select Create Task.
3. Give the task a name and description. I use "Windows Defender Update" and "Update the definitions" respectfully.
4. Have your other settings setup like this and change according to what you need:

 

[Yorky]

Thank you 'LovingWindows' for your prompt and clear reply. I have set up a Scheduled Task as you kindly directed with the minor exception that I choose to have it activate every hour.
I am much obliged for the trouble you have taken to teach this octogenarian another new 'trick'.
Thank you.
Yorky. England.
PS. Just checked at 1100 our time and schedule update working. Thanks.

 

[LovingWindows]

Thank you 'LovingWindows' for your prompt and clear reply. I have set up a Scheduled Task as you kindly directed with the minor exception that I choose to have it activate every hour.
I am much obliged for the trouble you have taken to teach this octogenarian another new 'trick'.
Thank you.
Yorky. England.
PS. Just checked at 1100 our time and schedule update working. Thanks.

You're welcome, glad to be of service.

 

[pipmeister]

If I may return to my original post(s) - Does anyone consider the current batch of larger file size Definition Updates for Windows Defender to be "normal"? This appears to have been since the release of 1.189.####.0


Could anyone tell me the size of the daily updates of an alternative A.V. system, such as Kepersky or Avast - either a free or paid version?


Pip.

 

[TechnoMage]

It's not something to worry about. There are just too many things a lot more important than that to think about.

Once a program (I only use AVG 2015 FREE) is set up to automatically update and scan (once a day) it becomes almost invisible on my computer and I don't even think about it.

Most AV program will store a lot of temp files, .BAK files and the like, but any really good Cleanup program will find and remove all that crapola, so it doesn't overtake your HD.

Cheers Mates and Happy Holidays!

 

[pipmeister]

It's not something to worry about. There are just too many things a lot more important than that to think about.

Once a program (I only use AVG 2015 FREE) is set up to automatically update and scan (once a day) it becomes almost invisible on my computer and I don't even think about it.

Most AV program will store a lot of temp files, .BAK files and the like, but any really good Cleanup program will find and remove all that crapola, so it doesn't overtake your HD.

Cheers Mates and Happy Holidays!

Thank you very much for your reply, which is reassuring to read.

I do indeed remove crapola using CCleaner.

Regards, Pip.

 

[Helmut]

They have not gotten any bigger, some might just be some sort of consolidation or something. That is irrelevant anyway as is any sort of comparisons with other products. Just don't worry about it.

Paid for products and some free versions may contain multiple applications that need updating and configuring depending upon a user thus comparisons are impossible.

CCleaner and the like don't do anything either to definition updates, they are just not capable of anything except trivia.