windows defender

[wirraldene]

Has anyone managed to sort this out - I have been all over the place looking at various solutions but am still getting the message not updated for 76 days. I have uninstalled, fed commands in etc but with no success. I understood MS were sending a patch but nothing happended.

[BillyNoMates]

Nope - I can only assume it's a 'BETA' feature. I must have downloaded the latest definitions file a dozen times.

Option to check for updates before every scan is set. It does seem to do its job though.

[wirraldene]

Possibly so. I have it set to update first but keeps giving warning that unless updated it may miss something. Tried to find former system without success. Also took it up with MS who put me over several ops and then ceased any further contact in the middle of things - nice people. I have enough other back up in any event and it would seem many others have given up the ghost on a fix.

[PK4]

I may be completely wrong but is it wise to trust MS with anti spyware apps? After all they never explained the purpose of the many index.dat files (to my knowledge) that exist as undeletable files on your system, that if you use index dat spy (free download) will reveal every web site you ever visited. I use tracks eraser 5 pro wich does a good job but the hash file part of the index just keeps getting bigger and is unreadable, undeletable.

[wirraldene]

Scary when you think about it - just annoying that a so called world leader can inflict this as well as poor designs. Think I'll not bother anymore. Many thanks to both for views.

[BillyNoMates]

Interesting to hear you view too.

I was only using it as a final catch with all the other well known, free utilities that I use - Spybot Search & Destroy, CCleaner, SpywareBlaster, Ad-aware etc.

It did pick up 2 items which were picked up elsewhere too.

I heard that it was going to be an integral feature in Vista and chargeable for the rest of the Windows OS later this year ?

[wirraldene]

Some see this as a test and the suggestion is we'll have to pay, although some view the whole thing as a dressed up XP and see no need to subscribe when it all comes out.

[Jinky]

I have microsoft security updates set to automatic so whenever there are updates for Defender they are uploaded automatically.

[wirraldene]

Same here but they show up as not being successfully installed in downloads history - it's decorated with them! (next job is to try to clear it). Now I don't go near the program - it carries out scans with whatever was there at start, but I'll unstall as I have enough others that do their job properly. Various sites like this have similar entries of problems with updates. Thanks for help.

[wirraldene]

Just downloaded latest version from download notifications, and it appears to be working correctly - a rather long time to extract the digit. Many thanks to all who replied.