A computer anti-virus is a piece of software that many overlook. More than half of the individuals who own a PC run an anti-software program that came bundled with their new device. Unfortunately the anti-virus program is always leased for three months most of the time after which the customer needs to purchase a subscription. After the expiry of the three month offer it is the end of most individuals to ever use an anti-virus software again. These group of individuals attest to the fact that the yearly subcriptions are quite heavy on their wallets. The subscriptions are expensive. Do you really need to spend even a dime to ensure your PC is protected from malware and viruses? No. Walk with me to find how this is possible.
Windows Defender is an anti-virus program that comes pre-loaded in every Windows OS you purchase. If you have another ant-virus software Windows Defender will be turned off by default to avoid conflict. Since it comes bundled with your Windows Operating System there is no subscription fee that you have to make. To top it up there are no yearly subcriptions as is the case with other anti-virus programs.
As with the case with any other anti-virus software Windows Defender runs in the background without interfering with whatever you do. It will only pop up when it detects a malware and take the necessary action. This is because Windows Defender uses real time protection to scan everything you download or run on your computer. You can also go ahead and perform a manual scan if you so wish.
To activate Window Defender in Windows carry out the following simple steps. First you will need to deactivate any 3rd party anti-virus that is active, even though it is most certainly out of date by this time.
- Type control panel on the search bar pinned on the task bar.
- Click on the control panel result to open it. Then head to System and Security.
- Click on System and Maintenance.
- Under the security option you can see the active anti-virus.
- Deactivate the 3rd party anti-virus to activate Windows Defender. In some instances you might be forced to uninstall it.
- then use the combination Windows key + I shortcut to open the Settings App.
- Alternatively click on the Start button then Settings. This will also open the Settings App.
- In the Settings App click on the very last option labelled Update & Security.
- In the Update & Security setting, on the left pane click on the second option labeled Windows Defender.
- Under the Real-time protection section there is a button which is off if Windows Defender is not activated. Slide or click on it to turn the setting on.
You will find a disclaimer that you can turn it off temporarily but if it is off for a while Windows will turn it back on automatically.
As is the case with any anti-virus program, Windows Defender will be useless unless you update it periodically. You can always catch the latest updates through Windows Update. There you have it, a free and reliable anti-virus program.
