I am experiencing a strange issue with the updates of Windows 10 due to the disabled Defender. I have installed AVAST Free which in turn has disabled the Defender. With the Defender disabled, the system tries to update it and fails, but it also blocks the rest of the updates.
For now I have fixed this by uninstalling AVAST. Is there a workaround for this? Has anyone the same problem?
Sounds more like an issue with Avast, rather than the fact that it has disabled Defender.
I use Avira Free on lots of machines - which, of course, also disables Defender - and have no issue with installing or downloading updates.
I even did a couple of Windows 7 to 10 in-place upgrades with Avira Free already installed and active during the upgrade process (yes, I read that is a no-no). Not only did it work, but on the first boot Avira then announced that it detected a new OS and needed to perform a self-update for better Windows 10 compatability. Not a single hiccup related to antivirus running.
Avast seems to have problems with Windows Updates, this from 2014. Maybe consider trying another AV?
This is just a suggestion. A suggestion which I myself use, for 3 years without security issues at all.
I only use the built-in Windows Defender as my Real-Time protection and I have Malwarebytes free edition installed as my On-Demand Protection.
Malwarebytes does not run until I open it and it stops after the scan.
I run it once a week to make sure a clean bill of health.
Like I said, I do that for 3 years.
I am sure many will recommend their favorite AV programs to you.
You have to decide which way to go.
Your computer, your decision.
Thank you all! I have installed Avira Free and indeed the updates of the Defender and the OS are not blocked any more. I have been thinking too of just having the Defender and some anti-malware protection since my habits do not put me at a high infection risk, but somehow an all in one solution gives me a better sense of security.
Thank you!
Quote