Windows Defender is a free anti-spyware and anti-adware software from Microsoft which comes standard with Vista.

Windows Defender is a free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software.
Windows Defender is pretty simple to use with easy user interface. There are 3 levels of security which are high, medium and low. Windows Defender spyware and other unwanted programs that can slow down your computer, display annoying pop-up ads, change Internet settings, or use your private information without your consent. It also has automatic updates and scheduled scanning.

Windows Defender ships with Vista and provides decent protection against adwares and spywares. It is integrated into IE7 as an anti-spyware. It is also available for Download for Windows XP SP2. There is a WGA enforcement on the download of version.











I like Windows Defender. It came as a free trial with Windows Vista for me and eventually I paid for the subscription service. I really haven’t had any issues with it. I know there’s a lot of Windows haters out here who would recommend against it. But I figure, if I have a Windows machine, I might as well just roll with the flow and use the software the Microsoft produces.
I can say this, I am pretty interested in getting an Apple notebook. I think that would be pretty cool.
@Garry,
I thought defender is a free program. Its written so in the website. How come you paid for its service?
Oh isn’t it free Garry?
I didn’t know that it is available for XP sp2, i will install it and see.
@Ram,
Even I was not aware that it was available for WinXP.
I don’t know about you guys, but Windows Defender has never found spy ware that both Ad-ware and Spybot find. I’m not really sure why, but I’ve used it for almost 2 years and it always scans and finds nothing!
I run other anti-spyware programs and they find stuff! Anyone else seen this??
Yes Aseem Is right.
Currently i am happy with spybot search and destroy the best free anti-spyware available…never used defender so can’t say much abt that
@Aseem,
I think you are right, Defender of not the best. I would go with Shashank. Spybot search and destroy is the best.
I dont know how far it is useful but when i tried to install it, it asked me to install some plugin and after that it again popped up to install something. I gave up i had enough
defender gives decent protection. if you want realtime hi-grade protection, try hands on zone alarm or spyware doctor. i believe security suites like kaspersky internet security does all the work in one package
Nirmal,
I have used the FREE version when it was released and faced quite a lot of issues like conflict with existing antivirus scanners like norton and mcafee and hence i discontinued using it ever since. Are you facing any problems now with the updated version?
Girish
[...] Some viruses will slow down your computer and maybe corrupting your favorite files, while others will complete destroy your computer?s software and render the machine useless How to Keep Your Computer Running Fast and Smooth Spywares, Adwares, Virus, Malwares, all these can Slow down your pc, Internet connections, downloads, and sometimes will cause your pc to freeze and become unresponsive Random computer freeze problem – Windows NT / 2000 / XP / 2003 Windows Defender spyware and other unwanted programs that can slow down your computer, display annoying pop-up ads, change Internet settings, or use your private information without your consent Protect your PC from Spywares and Adwares-Windows Defender Review [...]
There isn’t any paid version of Windows Defender, is there?