How Does Windows Defender in 8.1 Compare to Avast 9.0.2008

[bikemanAMD]

Hi All

Trying to figure out the best protection for my systems, due to family members, cousins and such saying just use Windows Defender, almost thinking of switching, but first wanted to ask here to make sure I make the right decision in this matter.

No real problems with 9.0, occasional issues but getting solved

[Secondmineboy]

Just look here: http://www.av-test.org/no_cache/en/tests/test-reports/?tx_avtestreports_pi1%5Breport_no%5D=133162

Microsoft Security Essentials was tested but its almost the same as Defender, i would use Avast.

[bikemanAMD]

ok keeps avast installed then, Thank you, just gotta fix up laptop in a moment, only one I tried it on so far...but do like Avast better already after trying it some

[schmidthouse]

Not to make light of your inquiry, but you are asking on the Avast Forum if a Microsoft product is better. 
No, just playin
 I personally have never used the microsoft offered Anti Virus/Firewall elements of Microsoft.
For me, that strategy has worked well, but again I'm not up on Win Def on Win 8.1
Just one persons experience.

[bikemanAMD]

Yeah well think will just keep Avast after all, and ignore my family members suggestions, and use what works well for my needs

[Eddy]

Holly Stewart, senior program manager of the Microsoft Malware Protection Center, admitted in an interview with Dennis Technology Labs, a company that performs anti-virus tests on a regular basis, that Security Essentials is indeed designed to remain “at the bottom” of all rankings, so users should really install third-party protection.

[schmidthouse]

Holly Stewart, senior program manager of the Microsoft Malware Protection Center, admitted in an interview with Dennis Technology Labs, a company that performs anti-virus tests on a regular basis, that Security Essentials is indeed designed to remain “at the bottom” of all rankings, so users should really install third-party protection.

Nice.
Works for me

[mchain]

Hi All

Trying to figure out the best protection for my systems, due to family members, cousins and such saying just use Windows Defender, almost thinking of switching, but first wanted to ask here to make sure I make the right decision in this matter.

No real problems with 9.0, occasional issues but getting solved

Actually, what can be more important than the choice of an a/v is the proper set-up of user accounts.

Guest account for the kids, standard for teenagers and non-admins, and admin only for the one responsible for maintaining the system.  Also a good idea to set up another admin account to use for reserve in case the main admin account profile become corrupted and not usable.  That way, if any account becomes unusable a new account can be created for that user, and all data moved over to the new one, and the corrupt account can then be deleted.

Restricting user rights will go a long way in preventing malware infections, and if one does occur, it will be limited to that account.

Always save old program installation files in Downloads and elsewhere; avast! is a good example of that.

Plus, do not share the admin password with anyone.

[bikemanAMD]

Yes I do use standard account for normal use, and admin account for only admin stuff, and also save all downloads in backup folder, run malwarebytes scans weekly on all systems (Free version) keep plugins up to date, and apply all Windows updates on patch Tuesdays.    Disabled java on 8.1 machine since so far most sites I use don't need it, and if one does then will reenable.   

Laptop is Windows XP Sp3, purchased in 2005, so far runs Avast 9.0.2008 pretty well with only 1gb of ram lol, amazing for sure lol.   Desktop Quad Core AMD A6 System

(just fun part on laptop removing MSE completely prior to reinstall Avast Free on it in a few moments)

[Para-Noid]

See http://www.howtogeek.com/173291/goodbye-microsoft-security-essentials-microsoft-now-recommends-you-use-a-third-party-antivirus/ 

[bikemanAMD]

Yes just read that article, Thank you Para-Noid, will work on cleaning it out on laptop, thankfully I only tried it on one system...hopefully not too hard to remove lol, Removal tool seems to be only for version 1.0 version, version now is 4.4.304, so hopefully if I do use MSE removal tool it works properly lol

[mchain]

Here you go:  http://blogs.msdn.com/b/securitytipstalk/archive/2010/10/29/how-to-uninstall-microsoft-security-essentials.aspx  Fix-it is what you want.

[bikemanAMD]

Thank you all, got the removal tool done on laptop, removed all the MSE folders, ran cccleaner, restarted, reinstalled Avast with internet off on it, restarted, think all set now on all the systems.   Glad I didn't switch the Windows 8.1 Desktop over to Defender earlier...

Appreciate the fast replies as well. 

[Para-Noid]

You're welcome!