User Reviews

Windows Defender

Windows Defender detects and removes adware and spyware from your computer, and also features real-time protection that alerts you when potential dangers arise, stopping most spyware before it can ev ...

Our Rating:
Download
Read more

Average of 46 user ratings:
Click here to post your own review

Oct 01, 2008
For version:
1593

Well, it`s Microsoft

Interface: 3
Features: 3
Ease of use: 3
Value: 3
Overall:

Ok, for an MS product, it's not too bad, however, it seems to hog an awful lot of resources. I found I couldn't shut it off, I'd end task and it would pop right back up. What's up with that? Sure, if I want to go into services and all that, blah blah blah, but on the bright side, it's ok for those who may not know about getting something else that works far better and free. I noticed some apps wouldn't run with this installed, there was no blocking or anything, just wouldn't go. Once uninstalled, the apps were back! So all in all, I would recommend it over nothing and for MS, it's not bad. However, I removed it and will stay with what works. Final say? Some swear BY it, I swore AT it."

Review by: gimpguy (369)
Read all 369 reviews by gimpguy

Feb 03, 2008
For version:
1593

Just average...many better ones available.

Interface: 3
Features: 2
Ease of use: 3
Value: 1
Overall:

I have tried Windows Defender a few times over several years on different PCs/laptops. Like many other Microsoft freeware programs it seems somewhat mediocre -- there are quite a few better Adware/Spyware scanners to be found. Microsoft doesn't bother to improve or upgrade programs it offers as freeware even when more efficient, better ones become available.

Review by: kol2008 (15)
Read all 15 reviews by kol2008

Apr 01, 2007
For version:
1593

Typical Microsoft

Interface: 1
Features: 2
Ease of use: 2
Value: 4
Overall:

I suppose Defender does an adequate job of guarding against adware and spyware. However, when used with Vista OS, it is also a nuisance. The options and menus are not at all user friendly, and in typical Microsoft manner, the "help" leads to dead ends. This is partially the fault of Vista, which sees Microsoft Defender as a threat. No kidding. You can imagine the difficulty of making Defender see a safe, non-Microsoft program as safe. I recommended it only because it was free.

Review by: Tooloose (2)
Read all 2 reviews by Tooloose

Feb 08, 2007
For version:
1593

Most improved

Interface: 3
Features: 3
Ease of use: 3
Value: 3
Overall:

What was once subpar is now an average program that works as advertised. System impact is minimal. Scan speed is slow compared to some of the competition but acceptable. Basically, this is a good program but one with nothing to make it stand out from the crowd.

Review by: Djohnfot (5)
Read all 5 reviews by Djohnfot

Oct 23, 2006
For version:
BETA 2 1347

Better than nothing

Interface: 3
Features: 2
Ease of use: 3
Value: 3
Overall:

I ran this on a pc that was obviously affected by spyware and/or adware. It found nothing. I then ran ad-aware, the free version, which found 300 instances of malware (not including any cookies). Let's say I wasn't altogether impressed with the product. (Yes, I did update it before I scanned).

Review by: drfung (10)
Read all 10 reviews by drfung

Jul 13, 2006
For version:
BETA 2 1347

Microsoft product

Interface: 2
Features: 2
Ease of use: 2
Value: 2
Overall:

It is a MS product so it has built in problems. It missed HALF of spyware that other products caught with ease. Again, I did not expect much from MS and that is exactly what I got, not much! PASS!

Review by: hrwasp (56)
Read all 56 reviews by hrwasp

May 16, 2006
For version:
BETA 2 1347

Performance going down hill

Interface: 4
Features: 2
Ease of use: 3
Value: 3
Overall:

Whilst it was effective a while ago, it is now starting to miss problems. Glad it was free when it worked certainly wouldn't pay for it now.

Review by: asdesign (4)
Read all 4 reviews by asdesign

May 15, 2006
For version:
BETA 2 1347

Get worse

Interface: 3
Features: 2
Ease of use: 3
Value: 3
Overall:

I don't know what happened. The antispyware is pretty good and reliable. After microsoft makes modification, it begins to suck. The monitor for the registry was once very sensitive, now there is totally no response. It sucks.

Review by: Ghost_ARCHER (10)
Read all 10 reviews by Ghost_ARCHER

Apr 25, 2006
For version:
BETA 2 1347

When is is to be become non beta version

Interface: 3
Features: 4
Ease of use: 2
Value: 3
Overall:

Windows Defender (previously Windows Anti-spyware) has been in Beta mode for a long time for 2 beta's in fact so when are we going to see a full version no beta of this product released where Microsoft takes responsibility for this product. I would not recommend this as a stand alone product or as a good starting point for people new to anti spyware software. However it is not bad for some things but it is not meant to keep you protected from everything and it is definitely not the fastest scan i have seen done taking an hour to complete on my P4 processor.

Review by: ad_mac
First post

Mar 05, 2006
For version:
BETA 2

A very good program!

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

This is a very good program! The updates are easy to install. Second, the program runs in the back ground, and there is no icon in the system tray, oh well. A lot of features too!

Review by: ccouch82 (2)
Read all 2 reviews by ccouch82

Feb 28, 2006
For version:
BETA 2

Give and take

Interface: 5
Features: 3
Ease of use: 3
Value: 4
Overall:

As always, Microsoft protects your home... if you give the keys. Defender reacts to system modifications only if it considers there is a threat, not otherwise. Should you install a software which decides to launch at Windows startup, Defender will notify you only if it considers the software is a threat, not otherwise. Concerning malware itself, Defender remains one of the best analyze engines. Finally, I personally do not appreciate at all the fact updates require Windows Update to be installed, but this is a pure tradition of the company: take and give, or forget it. I would advise Defender as an extra scan system, not on a monitoring basis.

Review by: Leendert (31)
Read all 31 reviews by Leendert

Feb 26, 2006
For version:
BETA 2

Microsoft could have done better!

Interface: 1
Features: 2
Ease of use: 1
Value: 3
Overall:

First, anyone reading these reviews should be aware that only this and the 2 reviews before it appear to refer to Defender. The others I believe are for the program Defender has replaced (Microsoft Windows AntiSpyWare). How can a review posted in 2005 refer to a program released in 2006? Snapfiles should address this matter A.S.A.P. That said Defender has a very poor interface and to put it mildly updating is dreadful. Expect to spend quite some time on computer help forums asking how to ensure that updating works. Given the size, knowledge and experience of Microsoft, the potential for this program to be both effective and easy to use was huge. Sadly I feel it falls short particularly for novice users. Given that this is a Beta version lets hope the full version remains freeware and improves. At the moment other freeware programs do a similar job but with much less hassle.

Review by: guy9663 (7)
Read all 7 reviews by guy9663

Feb 17, 2006
For version:
BETA 2

No recommendation

Interface: 2
Features: 1
Ease of use: 1
Value: 5
Overall:

Looks nice and simple. Uninstalls easy. I did have to look at the forum (and release notes) many times, because of problems of installation (error 1609) and updating not working after second install. The updates are not incremental and cannot be removed, so you loose a lot of space of your hard disc drive.

Review by: Mike98 (10)
Read all 10 reviews by Mike98

Feb 14, 2006
For version:
BETA Build 1.0.701

Excellent

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

This anti spyware is excellent!!!

Review by: barzvi
First post

Nov 30, 2005
For version:
BETA Build 1.0.615

I am surprised!

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I have tried and tested almost all anti-malwares available... I have to admit, This is effective.

Review by: platform7 (3)
Read all 3 reviews by platform7

Nov 12, 2005
For version:
BETA Build 1.0.615

Great big program

Interface: 3
Features: 4
Ease of use: 2
Value: 2
Overall:

Impressive with all its bells and whistles. However I would like to see an anti-spyware program Keep Out spyware instead of cleaning up spyware that it let in. Huge footprint which takes up a good amount of system resources. Slow to load,launch and to update. Lots of tweak like features which makes ease of use a mute point. Detection and cleanup were bettered by three other free antispyware programs that I tested it against. Programs with one third of the footprint this has! There are lots of other free anti-spyware programs out there which are based upon simplicity and effectiveness. The whole idea behind a program like this is not show off how it can cleanup after the fact or how many individual tweaks(sections of the system) it can protect but to prevent intrusion of the spyware in the first place. For marketing I give this software 5 stars but for overall complexity and effectiveness 2.

Review by: alnjk01 (124)
Read all 124 reviews by alnjk01

Aug 17, 2005
For version:
BETA Build 1.0.615

For the right users this is great stuff!

Interface: 3
Features: 5
Ease of use: 3
Value: 5
Overall:

This is insanely great software for the technically adept. Closes a lot of doors when run with Real-Time protection. Gives you lots of options to find that last critter and kill it when using Advanced Tools in conjunction with Safe Mode. It is worth the CPU cycles if you have a college student who is likely to use unsafe practices on the web. It is also worth using for experts to stop some of those pesky bits of spyware that just keep re-inserting themselves into the Startup and BHO areas. Does it miss some adware - no doubt, none of the scanners are perfect, but this one is topnotch.

Review by: Griffin (32)
Read all 32 reviews by Griffin

Jul 27, 2005
For version:
BETA Build 1.0.615

Don't rely on ms antispyware only!

Interface: 3
Features: 2
Ease of use: 3
Value: 5
Overall:

I just re-installed MS Antispyware again today after being without it a while. Earlier this year I was using the program and was assuming it was protecting me adequately.One day I decided to run my AdAware program for a change. I expected it would find nothing. Instead, it found half a dozen or more ad/spyware programs MS's program had missed! I was disgusted enough, feeling I'd been duped by Mr. Softee, that I uninstalled MS's. After reading the many positive reviews here, I've relented, because I want a free monitor program to augment my 3 scan programs, and it sounds like the MS one must be doing something useful. I will never again trust it exclusively. I will continue to run AdAware, Spybot and my new A-Squared one. Keep in mind that Microsoft itself plants tracking cookies on users' computers at various times.After browsing MSN Symatico's internet radio stations this week, my A-Squared scan turned up a tracking cookie from MSN Sympatico! Beware!

Review by: Bobb999 (8)
Read all 8 reviews by Bobb999

Jul 20, 2005
For version:
BETA Build 1.0.615

Microsoft windows antispyware

Interface: 4
Features: 4
Ease of use: 3
Value: 4
Overall:

Microsoft has great intentions-- decent software and fair usefulness... Yet, be careful: some of the settings and functions are dangerous and can ruin your PC. Explanations for functions are at times vague. Good software, memory hog and at times, slow. The update feature is slow or doesn't work well, or are too sparse. Rating: 4/5

Review by: Donald1 (2)
Read all 2 reviews by Donald1

Jul 07, 2005
For version:
BETA

An ok program

Interface: 3
Features: 3
Ease of use: 3
Value: 5
Overall:

A good program....but the only bad thing is tat it takes too much resources......your computer crawls if you have an old processor......and for p4 guys,this is a great program!

Review by: rajesh (4)
Read all 4 reviews by rajesh

Jul 01, 2005
For version:
BETA

It is now beta1 and will it still be free???

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

Ms Anti spy was made by giant software and the program is great. I m sure MS has made some additions to it but it is great and its free. Everyone is saying MS is going to charge for it when the expires at the end of the year.... Well for what I got back (after contacting MS )is it will remain free....oh yippee...... PS look at counter spy... isnt it the same interface as MS anti-spy.. hummm. And if MS decides to charge money I think ill buy Counter Spy See ya .... Skippy

Review by: SkippyMaroo (6)
Read all 6 reviews by SkippyMaroo

Jun 05, 2005
For version:
BETA

Very good

Interface: 3
Features: 4
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

One of the bests, has deteced all of the spywares i tested, i tested 25. There also a realtime protection that works fine.

Review by: R2-D2_ (14)
Read all 14 reviews by R2-D2_

Apr 24, 2005
For version:
BETA

My computer feels brand new again!!!

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

Finally a program that really works. The program alerts you when spyware attacks. I had no idea so many programs were attacking my computer. This program is a must have for every windows user. I hope they keep this for free. Its wonderful. I highly recommend it.

Review by: Parker
First post

Apr 18, 2005
For version:
BETA

Very effective

Interface: 4
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

This program does just what it says it will do. i really like it simply because it works. i hope they keep it free.

Review by: Sweetme (3)
Read all 3 reviews by Sweetme

Feb 09, 2005
For version:
BETA

Very good!

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

This is an excellent and quite thorough antispyware program. Very impressed!

Review by: SusanA (8)
Read all 8 reviews by SusanA

Feb 02, 2005
For version:
BETA

If you have to be legal to use it...

Interface: 4
Features: 4
Ease of use: 4
Value: 4
Overall:

If you are using illegal copy, forget about it... it is good for now... wait until July, hope they keep it free like IE6, MSN messenager and other free products...

Review by: homeflash (54)
Read all 54 reviews by homeflash

Feb 02, 2005
For version:
BETA

Use caution here....

Interface: 3
Features: 3
Ease of use: 1
Value: 1
Overall:

I also had a big problem running this program on XP SP 1 the program worked great for the first few minutes, then it slowed my computer down to where I wish i had the adware back. The next day my computer would not boot, and I had to bring my machine in for repair. Evan when SP2 was installed by the service tech, when he loaded this program back on to my computer, it started to slow way down again, so I just removed the program when I got home.

Review by: kpaddler (5)
Read all 5 reviews by kpaddler

Feb 01, 2005
For version:
BETA

Good spyware remover

Interface: 3
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I like this spyware remover because it has two scan options. The first one takes 2 mins, and the other one you can choose how long it should go on for. I think this is the best spyware remover i have ever had. Plus it removes all sorts of nasties and it quarantines them as well.

Review by: Tornados
First post

Feb 01, 2005
For version:
BETA

Micro-doesnt stink

Interface: 4
Features: 4
Ease of use: 4
Value: 5
Overall:

For once I am really pleased with a Microsoft product , However I wish the program wasn't going to expire ( expire date is July 31 05 ) . Until I am sure of the products future I am holding on to my other anti spyware software.

Review by: DanaVT (14)
Read all 14 reviews by DanaVT

Jan 31, 2005
For version:
BETA

Microsoft makes good software???

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I can't believe it but Microsoft actually come around and made some decent software this time. I was cleaning up a customers computer that had loads of spyware and something of the terms of demon and then numbers after that was crashing spybot. So I tried this software out and I was really surpised; It found stuff spybot couldn't, and fixed/erased it all within about a matter of 10 minutes! By the way he had 1667 traces/files and 254 different types.

Review by: Zues1333 (4)
Read all 4 reviews by Zues1333

Jan 30, 2005
For version:
BETA

Props

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

Works great and its FREE! Stops the Popup window from coming up even on downloads but I can live with that.

Review by: internet_help_online (3)
Read all 3 reviews by internet_help_online

Jan 30, 2005
For version:
BETA

I love it at first sight

Interface: 4
Features: 3
Ease of use: 3
Value: 5
Overall:

Recently installed, Antispyware does a noiseless and (hopefully) complete job. I wonder, however, in what way it could be tested ; I don't have spyware to put it to the test.

Review by: IkZelf
First post

Jan 29, 2005
For version:
BETA

Something's missing

Interface: 4
Features: 2
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

Previously I had used this software, but I dont believe that the software has improved itself any from when it was known under a different name. Well after installing and running the program, I did notice a few things have been added to the interface, so that had my vote so far. After running it and letting it do its "stuff", I decided to run Ad-Aware. Thats where things changed, as Ad-Aware found over a dozen registry keys that this program missed. Which is also why I have to give it such a poor rating as far as its features go. Since its a beta, I am assuming that Microsoft is ironing out the bugs and there will be a new version coming.

Review by: bluenote72 (26)
Read all 26 reviews by bluenote72

Jan 29, 2005
For version:
BETA

Awesome anti-spyware software

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

This thing is great. It caught stuff missed by others such as adaware ans spybot ans mcafee 8i You got to try it.

Review by: AnonymMan (28)
Read all 28 reviews by AnonymMan

Jan 28, 2005
For version:
BETA

Download now, if you have spyware

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

Free and gooood

Review by: DinoBajric
First post

Jan 26, 2005
For version:
BETA

Include this program too

Interface: 5
Features: 4
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

Today installed Microsoft Windows Antispyware program in my system and it found 13 spyware threats, 72 spyware infected files and 35 infected registry keys which are all not detected or blocked using other top listed spyware programs. So I recommeded Microsoft Windows Antispyware to be installed in computers with other top listed spyware programs.

Review by: free2nm (53)
Read all 53 reviews by free2nm

Jan 26, 2005
For version:
BETA

Get it

Interface: 4
Features: 5
Ease of use: 4
Value: 5
Overall:

Recommending it & installing it on all my clients computers. Got rid of registry entries and files that Ad-aware missed. Stops BHO's in their tracks. Hope MS keeps it free or at least affordable when the beta expires.

Review by: beversol (2)
Read all 2 reviews by beversol

Jan 25, 2005
For version:
BETA

Very effective

Interface: 3
Features: 4
Ease of use: 3
Value: 5
Overall:

I found this software works well with Spysweeper and does as very good job at keeping spyware out. Acts as a kinda, Firewall for spyware threats. Possibly not quite as good as Spysweeper, but there isn't much init.

Review by: Andrew (8)
Read all 8 reviews by Andrew

Jan 22, 2005
For version:
BETA

What a great program

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

I tried everything under the sun to get rid of a nasty adware threat that bound itself to my registry keys. I downloaded this program and ran it once. I was amazed it found not only this threat, but also another one that Norton didn't pick up. It deleted these files and now my computer is running like is suppose to. Thanx to Microsoft for developing a really great product. This is a must have for anyone that is annoyed by spyware/adware.

Review by: WoodyJRJ
First post

Jan 17, 2005
For version:
BETA

Microsoft windows antispyware

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

This program is great and it's help me to detect some spyware that ad-aware can't detect and it's also come with a realtime protection which run on you're system tray whenever you're computer boot from stopping the spyware that try to installed itself into you're computer. It's also provide a very detail information on the spyware that it is being detected and it's also come with a automatic update of the spyware definition. In addition, this program will remain until 31 July 2005, so I hope Microsoft will have a better program than this for the next generation of windows(windows longhorn).

Review by: Kennysimpp (22)
Read all 22 reviews by Kennysimpp

Jan 13, 2005
For version:
BETA

Microsoft anti spyware

Interface: 5
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

This is a great program from Microsoft. Amazingly enough it is free. I ran a deep scan on my system and found three different spywares that Adaware had missed. Mine said the program would expire in 199 days but I could download another one at that time. I give it 5 stars and think it is a program that everyone should have on their system.

Review by: achevyman (9)
Read all 9 reviews by achevyman

Jan 13, 2005
For version:
BETA

Use caution

Interface: 2
Features: 2
Ease of use: 3
Value: 4
Overall:

My problems with MS AntiSpy may have stemmed from using XP Pro SP1 instead of SP2. It took two attempts to install the software and took about 15 minutes for the installation to finally run. Once installed, my USB hub no longer worked. Although I specified that I didn't want AntiSpy to automatically run, it did anyway, even after removing it from selective startup. MS AntiSpy did find two toolbars that Spybot and Adaware did not. MS AntiSpy was also very difficult to uninstall, taking three attempts and and one half hour. I haven't had any of these problems with other anti-spayware programs. Overall, a good program but quirky on my computer.

Review by: Tommmg
First post

Jan 12, 2005
For version:
BETA

Best in the world

Interface: 4
Features: 5
Ease of use: 5
Value: 5
Overall:

In fact, I already using some others anti-spyware software in the markets. None can beat this one. It features is marvellous. After installing this superb software, it managed to filter out 2 spywares in my system whereas the other already installed anti-spyware missed it. I fully urged each and everyone to install this BEST anti-spyware immediately. But you must have an original Windows XP installed.

Review by: Benedict
First post

Jan 11, 2005
For version:
BETA

Works ok, but it won't be free for long ...

Interface: 3
Features: 4
Ease of use: 4
Value: 3
Overall:

I'm not a Microsoft fan, but this program definitely is worth the download, mainly because it detects things Ad-aware and Spybot don't and it can actually remove most of them. Unfortunately, in my opinion, which is based on real data, this beta will be the one and only free version, and it will expire in July. Please tell me if I am wrong, but I'm almost positive that I am right, or will be in the end.

Review by: TeXMeX (23)
Read all 23 reviews by TeXMeX

Jan 11, 2005
For version:
BETA

Ms cough up something good

Interface: 5
Features: 4
Ease of use: 4
Value: 5
Overall:

Ran the scan and it picked up a handful of items not detected by Spybot and Ad-Aware. On top of that, it's free...from MS! Where's the catch. Anyhow, any product that removes junk gets a thumbs up from me. With all the grief going on with IE lately, this free download is a no-brainer. Get it and run it right away.

Review by: thegeed (5)
Read all 5 reviews by thegeed

Jan 11, 2005
For version:
BETA

Great, but may not remain free

Interface: 5
Features: 4
Ease of use: 4
Value: 3
Overall:

This product is great. It found some things on my machine that Ad-Aware and SpyBot missed. However, this is a beta that expires in July and there is no guarantee that it will remain free after that time. Microsoft basically purchased GIANT antispyware, and GIANT wasn't free. I'm hoping that Microsoft will offer this free as a way to overcome the problems it has with IE security.

Review by: JediSB (6)
Read all 6 reviews by JediSB