Defender in Passive Mode?

battlezone · 17 Feb 2018

I installed Avast (free version) on my new pc because I have had good success with Avast on my Mac for years.

I have repeatedly read that if third-party AV software is installed, Defender will automatically be disabled. This does not appear to be the case because in the System Tray I have the Defender Icon showing with a green checkmark. If I click the Defender icon the Defender Security Center opens and I get green checkmarks across the board.

I googled and found information about Defender's "Passive Mode," but I don't know if that's what's going on:

Windows Defender Antivirus compatibility with other security products | Microsoft Docs

I also found information about Defender not turning off even when third-party AV software is installed.:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/window...l-not-turn-off

I would like to know if Defender is in Passive Mode, which I suppose is okay, or if it is running, and if so, what to do about it.

dalchina · 17 Feb 2018

Defender's real time scanning will be off, but other functions remain. You will still get updates.

In particular, Controlled Folder Access will not be available.
Change Windows Defender Controlled Folder Access Settings - Windows 10 Windows 10 Tutorials

There should be nothing you need to do. However, if you wish, you can disable it completely:
Turn On or Off Windows Defender in Windows 10 Windows 10 Tutorials
Note the pink paragraph.

Plenty more on Defender in the Tutorial section.

TairikuOkami · 17 Feb 2018

battlezone said:

in the System Tray I have the Defender Icon showing with a green checkmark. If I click the Defender icon the Defender Security Center opens and I get green checkmarks across the board.

That icon is not for Windows Defender, but for Defender Security Center.

When you click on Virus & threat protection, you should see, that Avast is up and running.

battlezone · 17 Feb 2018

I thank you both for your replies.

I know that Avast is up and running. As for the remaining Defender functions, should I leave them be or should I disable them, or is there an advantage to them running?

TairikuOkami · 17 Feb 2018

You can enable periodic scanning to catch viruses, Avast might have missed.

WD has also features, which work separately from AV, they protect Windows even further.

Change Windows Defender Exploit Protection Settings in Windows 10 Windows 10 Tutorials

battlezone · 17 Feb 2018

Thank you. I have turned Periodic Scanning on. The other protection settings seem to be mostly set to "on" by default.