Updates for this programme will not install using my computer. I have tried installing them directly also going back to the windows update page and installing them that way. The diologue box says they have been installed but they are still sitting in the system tray and the program is not updated. I even reinstalled the entire program but it made no difference.

Thank you I now am in Beta and can catch up I hope on my 29 days of updates.

I have installed windows defender and it tells me I am 29 days behind in updates. Yet when I click for updates it says connecting to network and after almost 5 minutes of waiting tells me unable to complete updates. Why cant I get updates and use program.
Haberkornv@yahoo.com

Updates are not installing.

Ran a dozen time from both windows update and automate update (which showed up repeatedly in the system trap a minute after it says the update was sucessful)

Even uninstalled and reistalled (from the web) with the same result.

I am experiencing the same problem. When I check the history of update activity it shows several instances of the identical definitions being installed successfully. Must be a bug.

Unusable because "geniune" law-for custom made WorkStations especially older than Windows Xp(no SPs)!
Yours trully

When I attempted a full scan it locked Windows (XP Pro SP2) solid, necessitating a hard reset to get the PC to reboot. This happened repeatedly. I eventually uninstalled the programme and had to repeat an uninstall/reinstall a number of times before using the scan function wouldn’t freeze Windows.

The other problem was that using the update feature on the reinstalled Defender, it wouldn’t correctly update the sig. files. The original version was displayed even though the update function would check and report that the sig. files were up to date. I eventually found where Defender stores its sig. files and deleted them. They are stored in the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Defender folder.

This initially worked and allowed the programme to be updated, and report correctly, but soon after I had another system freeze when attempting a scan.

I would have though that the Microsoft programmers could write a fairly stable programme, even in a beta state. Looks like I’m mistaken.

I think I will continue using my combination of Spybot Search & Destroy and Acronis Privacy Expert Suite 9.x for a while longer.

hmmm. spyware doctor removes it as spyware :-) including the entry it sees as invalid in Program files menu - 64 bit version needs some work yet.

Installed easily. Nothing special to configure. Tray icon from MS Anti-spyware is gone, but not a big deal. I haven't thrown any spyware at it, but I would assume it would at least detect everything that antispyware did.

I could not get updates to it initially, I didn't check the logs, but reading the proxy server issues below, seems consistent.

I changed my WSUS server to download Windows defender updates, and also set it to download Definition files. After a sync, I approved the new definition file and rebooted my PC. Voila, update for Defender definitions.

Works nicely, now if they can just give me a centralized console that shows me what PC's on my network have it installed, and can let me do remote scans/logs.

I expect just a such a snap-in will ship with Vista-Server.

Does it not bother anyone else that there's no tray-icon anymore?

I mean, there's no real *reason* to be bothered...aside from having to access it through the start-menu instead of clicking the icon, but it still drives me nuts.

I read an article about a new virus and look at my system-tray and find myself in panic-mode for a split-second. Where's my AV proggy? Why isn't it there...and green?

It's definately going to take some getting used to. I have yet to see Defender *do* anything but that initial scan after install. I assume that means I am safe....I think...maybe.

Anyone?

Yep, i think any anti-spyware program or anti-virus which runs in the backround should have a tray icon. That just seems like the standard way to do it, but hey it's MS they can do whatever they like i guess :/

Please realize I;m not bashing MS with my above comment. I have no problem trying new ways to do things. I was just commenting on how I am reacting to that specific change.

As stated, I'm sure it will "grow" on me, but for now it is just downright creepy.

Yeah, I have the same complaint. It's unnerving to have no way of knowing whether Defender is running or not, especially if that is to be a user's main anti-spyware defense (which is MS's goal, I assume).

I don't like it either :( It just seems tricksy and false...

This requires Service Pack 2 to install. Not in a million years...

Lol...

...another one of those...

Then your a total idiot. Your PC is wide open to attack. SP2 is a major security update. Are you going to live pre-Sp2 forever?

Sounds also like he most likely has an illegal copy of Windows, and the same type of person that complains about MS when their system is hacked into.

Just keep your system away from mine.

lmao...

What's to stop anyone with an illegal copy of getting Sp2? The product ID?

Puh-lease.

No, he's just an idiot. :)

...something about "a dime a dozen" comes to mind.

All things considered, he can strill be reasonably safe with just SP1. Not saying he's not a flaming idiot or anything, but....

After installing SP2 on a couple dozen of computers with no problems at all, I have to wonder why someone still insists on not installing it. Yes, please keep that computer a few thousand miles away from any of mine. (And we wonder why basic security remains a problem for so many people. Duh!)

I haven't paid my hard-earned money for a copy of Windows since 98 Second Edition. What a crapload of assumptions all you M$ lovers make. I had a PC support job and lived where I wanted, but because Bill has no problem what third world country his product is supported from, I had to suffer through unemployment and moving back to Chicago, the worst city in the US.
SP2: not in a million years, Windows: not another dime. By the way, my copy is legal so go figure that one out for yourself!

Yuk, an unemployed without SP2. Get away from me! And take your computer with you.

This program is free, easy to use and effective. It also integrates seamlessly into WindowsXP...

*BUT it'$ made by Micro$oft, an Evil American company that in$i$t$ on making a profit from it$ work. I won't u$e it!!!*

Never mind, that was just the meds talking, they make me sound like a 12 year old anarchist.

This is a great program. Doesn't slow down my computer at all. And it doesn't bother me with countless dialogs.

Seconded. :)

Tell us what you truly think.

I think he did! :P I happen to agree... running it on several test machines, and I really like it so far. I wish it had a few more "advanced user" functions, but I've voiced my feedback, so now I just wait and see how it all turns out.

Installed the product but couldn't get any updates behind a proxy/firewall. No option to set proxy settings at all. :(

I'd be surprised if it didn't use your standard Windows proxies (ie, Internet Options).

Coolio!

I'm wondering if I should just download and install it since it isn't auto updating.

it auto updates, where did you get the idea it didnt? If you want to do it manually, go to help and select "about windows defender", when the notation window opens click on "check for updates". viola!!!

I think what you are referring to is when the program ask at the beginning if you wanted to update before doing a computer scan.

But it does auto update. Perhaps even a configuration problem when you installed.

I think what the poster is referring to is that the Beta 1 version is not auto updating the software itself. I noticed the same thing.

I am also noticing that the latest version is using double the Mem Usage in Task Manager. I am going to do a System Restore and go back to the older version for now.
Well, more info on this. I did a system restore and got the Beta 1 version back. Now I can not run a manual scan, because a file is missing.

The system tray icon will only appear if there is action required from the user. If things are running normally and no action is required (i.e. no threats) then you won't see the icon. This is by design with Windows Defender Beta 2.
New look. New design. New functions. New features and maybe new bugs.

"Microsoft Anti-Spyware Removes Norton Anti-Virus."

Slashdot:
http://it.slashdot.org/a...11/2259232&from=rss

Ahh...but that's not true! It removes parts of Norton Anti-Virus, hosing your installation!

That's Slashdot's headline, not mine.

lol

Proof that MS actually does care about its users. =p

This is not accurate... the Norton problem only applies to Beta 1 with the February 9th updates. It's already been fixed, and Beta 2 is not affected.

Weird... beta... doing unexpected things...

Right. Just an FYI to those of you rolling back to Beta 1: make sure you update to 5907 which corrects the Norton error.

"The problem occurred after Microsoft pushed out an update for Windows AntiSpyware last Thursday night. The updated software identified a Windows registry key set by the Symantec products as belonging to password stealing malicious software known as Bancos, Microsoft and Symantec said in a joint statement Monday."

http://news.com.com/Micr...100-1002_3-6038852.html

And is sounds more like a bad move by Symantec in the way it handled its registry keys, but none the less, a problem that both companies are working on and not just the blame-game.

slashdot's headline is very misleading. It did not destroy the program. MS Antispy suggested the deletion of the keys which was done by the user who either set the command to "always delete" but not putting them in quaratine to see what effects the change would make.

So, fault is on many parties involved. We all can be dooped into deleting without proper knowledge. I still say that Symantec should not have placed the keys in that fashion. I am sure it was an oversite, and they are working on solving this problem. The article that I read stated that the majority of computers that were at risk were business computers, and even then a small number.

That the best part of Windows Defender :) Norton was good in the good old DOS days but today Norton is synonymous with buggy bloatware that make PC's slooow.
Anyway, installed Windows Defender and also wondered why there was no tray icon. So was it running. Why, yes :) The process is "wdfmgr.exe" and it's actually a Windows Service. Very nice.
Uninstalled and deleted Spybot Search & Destroy 'cause I aint gonna need that no more :)

In actuality wdfmgr.exe stands for Windows Driver Foundation. It is related to XP SP2 and WMP10 and has been used since 2004.
I have already uninstalled Defender, but I remember that the 2 processes began with an "M". No Defender and still have wdfmgr, so that isn't an indication that Defender is running.

I removed this pile minutes after installing it. They got rid of the tray icon. The interface is horrible. I had to disable Windowblinds to get the program window to display which I didn't have to do with beta 1.

ok then set windowblinds to exclude that application from skinning...that doesn't seem too hard does it? I just don't see how it not being compatible with a Stardock application makes the interface "horrible" lol good stuff

What took so long?!?!?!

________
AHampton2K
http://www.fits.cc - IT Community

lmao..

I actually had to prove my Windows was Genuine. First time it's ever asked me. ;P

It's ugly. that much I could tell the first time it ran.

On the good side, it hasn't bothered me too much, like the old one constantly did.

I'll use it for a bit, but will probably end up sticking with NOD32. Just have more faith in that one for some reason.

I downloaded from fileforum and it downloaded the msi, no microsoft page to go thru

...

As did I. Apparently you had already proven your system Genuine (IE7, past installs of MS Anti-Spyware...etc).

however the installation process builds up an outgoing connection to the servers of genuine.microsoft.com

First thing I noticed is that it got around my firewall. It must be using a low level service that my firewall doesn't block. It also wants to install as a service and run all the time. Maybe that's ok though, keeps you protected in real time. The interface is a little weird right now, I don't like the Vista buttons in XP for one thing. They don't look right at all. I also noticed that the Exit command is under the help menu. WTF? I guess they have to put it somewhere though since Microsoft is killing off the File menu for some strange reason. The Help menu was an odd choice though. Finally I hope that new icon is just a placeholder for the beta; looks like something from Windows 3.1

Out of curiosity, which firewall?

I am curious as well. My Sunbelt KPF notified me when Defender tried to connect.

I'm assuming he means Windows Firewall. That's what is in use here on my test system. Nothing informed me of a connection.

Makes me wonder if MS has some sort of key built into it...a possible backdoor for trojans?

That's a scary thought. I think a more likely scenario would be that default firewall definitions could have been updated by one of the security updates in recent months? Just a guess.

Great update. MUCH faster, less intrusive, more consistant user interface.

The only problem I have, is I cannot get it to see updates behind a proxy server (Windows Update gets the updates fine thou, so there is a workaround).

Windows Defender--talk about making a target for hackers. I think in the end it'll work well. Sure there will be security holes at first because every hacker and their mothers will try cracking/hacking Windows Defender specifically because it is Microsoft. Does a good job so far though.