Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
Windows Defender is an anti-spyware tool. Security Essentials is both an anti-virus and anti-spyware tool. You'll want both functions, but not both programs on your machine.
I use Microsoft Security Sweeper on a flash drive both at home and at work. All computers are still Windows XP. Sometimes, the screen says Microsoft Security Essentials and other times, it says Windows Defender. I forgot to check if the Windows Defender has Microsoft Security Essentials installed. Does it really matter which one shows up?
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In this excerpt from Answercast #7, I discuss the functions of Microsoft Security Essentials and Windows Defender and give my recommendation on which you should run.
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Scanning with Microsoft Security Sweeper
So, I'm going to assume that you mean ... which is installed on the machine that you're scanning? Microsoft Security Sweeper should come up the same way every time.
The difference might be which of Microsoft's Security Essentials or Windows Defender is installed on the machine that you're scanning.
Anti-spyware and anti-virus
Windows Defender is an anti-spyware tool only. That's fine as long you have another anti-virus solution installed. Microsoft Security Essentials is both an anti-virus and anti-spyware tool that happens to also then replace Windows Defender.
So, as long as you've got both anti-virus and anti-spyware covered somehow, you're good either way. I don't really think it matters. The solution that I tend to recommend is Microsoft Security Essentials just because it's one package that works and works well. It's simple enough for most anybody to install, run, and maintain.
Next - Will someone provide security updates for Windows XP after Microsoft stops supporting it?
Article C5172 - April 6, 2012 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
April 7, 2012 6:31 AM
There may be some additional confusion as to what the asker is referring to, courtesy of Microsoft. About a year ago (or more) Microsoft released a Beta tool called Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper. People just called it "Microsoft Sweeper". A few months later it was renamed Windows Defender Offline Beta. Either name, the tool was/is a free, standalone, bootable malware and virus remover. Neither MSSS nor the renamed WDO have anything to do with either MSE or the old antispyware that was called Windows Defender. I think :-(
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/what-is-windows-defender-offline
April 8, 2012 1:57 PM
Hey, Leo, you should explain the situation for win 8 where defender is actually security essentials.
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