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72 Comments
- markman07, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3No this will be free used as a standalone program. Windows OneCare will cost money (which includes this if you go the full suite route)
- yos9, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Link to the main page...
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx - aubray1741, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Here's a direct link that doesn't need on-site validation:
http://download.microsoft.com/download/e/d/0/ed099d5e-dc60-4740-8747-1c72f053b800/WindowsDefender.msi - FouZ, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2There's a bug when you run the install on a "non english" OS. Here's the trick you're looking for:
1. (Start -> Run...) net localgroup Users /add
2. Install WindowsDefender.msi.
3. (Start -> Run...) net localgroup Users /delete - blindfaith, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1no digg due to improper linkage, but downloaded it.
- Hollister, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1oh yey lets praise osx because its such a target for spyware with 5% of the market!! hehe macboys unite! tee heee
- Kellan, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2It's seriously the best anti-spyware solution out there. Especially for ignorant computer users.
- dmh2000, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1The funny thing is if you go to the MS homepage, www.microsoft.com there is a link to 'Microsoft Antispyware Beta' but if you follow that link you get "The download you requested is unavailable. If you continue to see this message when trying to access this download, go to the "Search for a Download" area on the Download Center home page."
- thepaulm, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3I thought those side scrollers went out of style a long time ago.
I always did like the graphics on the lasers though. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1This also works with Windows 2000 SP4 peeps
- whiznat, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Augh! Why did they strip out so many useful controls? Here is a list taken from the comments in the linked blog:
Features removed in Defender (that were in Antispyware)
Browser Hijacks
IE Toolbar exploits
Tracks Eraser
Downloaded ActiveX protection
Monitor IE Settings
Hosts File monitoring
Shell Execute Hooks
Browser restore
Cannot download any updates via proxy servers
I hate how MS took a very useful tool and dumbed it down. One of the first rules of interface design is: "If you make your program so that even idiots can use it, then only idiots will use it." Unless MS restores these controls, I can't imagine most techo-savvy people sticking with it. - phuqmnb, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1"I have a lifetime subscription to Symantec..."
Sorry to hear that - byrons, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=435bfce7-da2b-4a6a-afa4-f7f14e605a0d&displaylang=en&Hash=DXDFYCC
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"Since I installed this "wonderful" program, I'm now unable to update my spyware definitions. It broke the HTTP proxy authorization functionality..."
proxycfg.exe -u
or alternately
proxycfg.exe -p {address of proxy:port number} - kkapoor, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Won't install on on illegit VLK. Damn!
- shierone, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0how does this compare with avast?
- LazyBoy, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0HMmm yeah i thought it wasent working becuase there wasent any tray icon ..... but it process is running in the task manager..... but i have yet to see any warning or anything. I hope its working lol.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"Like Markman07 stated, this will be free for personal use, but I believe they will charge for corporate, AD-enabled versions."
This download appears that it's only available as an .msi installer package. What AD-enabled version are you talking about? It'll probably be enabled through SUS server as well. - innate, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Is this going to be built-in to OneCare? As far as I can tell, OneCare doesn’t (yet) include anti-spyware.
- BulkHedd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"This thing doesn't run in the tray like Antispyware did"
I noticed that. However, if you go into the options it says that real-time protection is turned on. I tried changing my homepage in IE, which I think used to prompt a popup from MS Antispyware, but I didn't see any warnings or anything. - scottevans, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"how does this compare with avast?"
Like an apple compares to an orange. Avast is anti virus software. Defender is anti Spyware software - PauloPio, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0can´t install it here. Says error 1609 (something that I´m not part of a network, I don´t know). Anyone got the same problem? Time to google for some answers!
- grayin, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1"Windows Defender was unable to complete the update 0x8024002b." At least the last version worked (even if it was ugly).
- jrkagan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I dugg this because I feel it is important, but I really do wish it was a direct link to the product page instead of to someone's lame personal tech blog.
- matts0344, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0MS Antispyware is great, never had a problem with it, works really well. Thing I don't understand is that if this is free, why don't they just build these protections into the OS?
- gotamd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0The updater worked for me.
- DJFMA, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0For those having problems updating the definitions just be patient. I clicked update, and had the yellow notification in the systray. But after about a minute it updated, and the icon turned green (even though there were no visual cue's that it was actually doing anything).
Might be a bug... - GrahamStw, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Woo hoo - supports XP x64 edition (unlike the old Antispyware one).
- JackDoyle, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"anyone else missing an uninstall ? ? ? ?~?~!?!?!?!?!?!"
Mine shows up in Add/Remove programs. However, if you don't have it there, just right-click on the .msi that you installed it with and select "Uninstall". - shockingbird, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I was hoping it was the Atari game Defender.
- mskelly, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I am having an Issue with "Windows Defender". I deployed it through a GPO to 150 workstations. We set our WSUS server to update defender. All these users have Power User rights but are not updating. The Update button is grayed out unless your are admin. Will these systems eventually update?
- Jammerdelray, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0easily the best free antispyware
- Nocturnal, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0How'd you guys get into this beta? I'm in the OneCare beta and I didn't get an invite nor hear that there was a beta for this for XP.
- PeterJS, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Tools - Software Explorer - pretty neat
Tools - Where is "Tracks Eraser" from Beta 1? That was a cool thingimajig. - vypergts, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0This thing doesn't run in the tray like Antispyware did so it probably isn't scanning in the background or actively monitoring, seems like it doesn't have as many of the features that Antispyware did. Why did I just install this again? Seriously, what happened to the browser restore and the active warnings? Those features were great. Only MS would offer an upgrade that had LESS features than a previous version...
- rYno, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0So if you have "Antispyware Beta" installed will this update it?
Or do we have to uninstall - reinstall? - ManHammer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Gives an error when attempting to update.....disables the ability to reinstall BETA1. I'd give it awhile before you use it...as any MS product.
- bertdevriese, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0PauloPio i have the same error
- mrinternet, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0@ poorlirch said: I have a lifetime subscription to Symantec
= 6 months before system crash (for me at least). Then another month to get it off your system :-)
Symantec vs. Herpes not sure which is easier to get rid of ???
I find this smoother than version 1 (this is almost if not totally a 100% rewrite).
A version of this is also in Vista.
I am having trouble with beta 2 on a 64-bit set-up, so maybe it will not work on newer PCs (unless embedded in vista). I find the tools function allowing access to start up programs an interesting one.
Let's hope they can control the memory 'hungriness' of this. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0"So if you have "Antispyware Beta" installed will this update it?"
sorta.. it doesnt meantion that you have the old one
it doesnt offer to install where the old one was
but it will uninstall ms anti spyware beta.. except as most windows crap.. leaves behind a directory peppered with files.. alwasy annoying i can see why someone may want to keep the logs but every program should ask when uninstalling I hate mostly empty directories - mentor972, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Nothing like paying Microsoft to secure their own operating system!
- JackDoyle, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Configured WSUS to get Windows Defender definitions and then my Automatic Updates client did the updating. Now working.
- JackDoyle, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I figured (from a packet sniffer) that I can't update because my machine uses a WSUS server for updates. Since the WSUS server doesn't have updates for Windows Defender yet, no update for me.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Wouldn't install on mine...Something about invalid product key lol...
Oh well, i guess i'll have to do without this on my "Legal" version of Windows :-P - mcsnotty, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0It's inaccurate to say that signature updates don't work through a proxy - they will. Windows Defender uses AU - so if your AU works, it'll work. If your AU proxy settings (set them in IE) are wrong, then you're probably not getting your security updates, and that's a bigger problem.
We decided to make the product focus on anti-spyware versus deleting things like your most recently used files list, which is not a real security concern. Also, many of the functionality in Beta 1 is not sustainable or duplicated within IE7, so they were removed. You will be able to monitor things like ActiveX through IE7 (which is the right place for it).
However, we do still detect spyware that are BHOs or ActiveX components (go install one and try it out)
What you are noticing is that Windows Defender Beta 2 is actually going after a more average consumer - those who are at higher risk to spyware in the first place - not necessarily the super techy folks (although we like you too) and that is reflected in the decisions in the UI and the fact that we made "unknowns" not flag by default. Our data shows that most unknowns are not malicious and customers were getting annoyed at the number of prompts you get for unknown stuff.
Now if you still want your unknown stuff flagged - you can check the checkbox in the settings to turn them on (then it'll alert with a notification in the systray when you do things like change your homepage)... if known bad is detected, you will get a big red alert box, but if there's no spyware on your machine, why should you be spending even a few minutes a day babysitting your anti-spyware product?
The reality is that Microsoft has a really big incentive to get you back to happily surfing the web, or doing whatever you were doing, instead of popping up and saying, "hey look, i did something - this is why you paid me $40/year" =)
Also, to clarify something else, we are running in the background, but we will not display a system tray icon unless we need something from you.
We fixed the bug causing error 1609 (happened on non-English PCs) and posted a fix last week - so you can try the download again. Also, we don't tell you that we're already updating our signatures (right after install) so all you really need to do is wait (for the most part) and the signatures will come down. I agree that because we don't display status that the update is progressing, folks get confused right after an install that their signatures are out of date - all that's required is having AU working, and patience =)
This is still a Beta 2, so please give feedback - the newsgroups that are monitored by the engineers are at : http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/newsgroups/default.mspx - sameera, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Guys this DLL patch works fine and can download anything from MS website as a genuine XP owner. But I can’t install the Windows Defender. Please help….
It says “This computer has Invalid Volume license product key”
I tried using different keys using a keygen but still the same. Please help - yano, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Windows Defender isn't that great. Sure the programmers who build windows would know how to remove malicious programs best. However, it's not going to last. MS is already charging people to use there One-Care program. You would think that if a user forked over $200 for a product MS would be nice enough to give a consolidation prize.
- grawity, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I've used ActiveX Explorer (System Explorer) in Beta1, and can't find it in Beta2.
- JackDoyle, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0I installed it, but it's got a little yellow exclamation point on the icon in the system tray for some reason. It says I haven't updated my definitions in 19 days. But when I try to update them, it just says there aren't any.
- poorlilrichboy, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Do they pan to charge after it graduates from Beta? Is this supposed to protect me better than Symantec? I have a lifetime subscription to Symantec so I'm hesitant to download and install it.
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