Is Mcafee Required With Windows Defender???
By LadyMarissa
@LadyMarissa (12148)
United States
December 4, 2009 9:33am CST
I'm trying to help a disabled friend who lives nearly 3,000 miles from me. He's receiving messages saying a Mcafee .exe file can't be found. He says Mcafee came on his computer & he doesn't remember whether he ever paid for it. My guess is that he didn't as he had to quit work due to the disability. Now, my question. Does the Mcafee have to be working for Defender to be effective??? I'm still using XP & don't have any experience with Vista
2 people like this
4 responses
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
6 Dec 09
No it doesn't. Windows Defender is a Microsoft application and can be downloaded seperately from the Microsoft software site. So no worries. And yes, McAffee comes with most computers now for a trial period after which time you will get a notice that you need to renew and you will have to pay for it. As for Vista loaded computers, it seems McAffee and Windows Defender have been linked on the hard drive but your Windows Defender will still work independantly of McAffee. I completely removed McAffee from my computer (Vista loaded) when the trial period for it was over. I still have Windows Defender working just fine. I've never liked McAffee and now use a different security softward in it's place but my Windows Defender is still working too.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
6 Dec 09
Thank you Ms Sparky!!! I've heard of defender but not used it. I think the error message he's receiving is from the McAfee no longer working moreso than the defender no longer working. His disability causes his brain to not be as logical as it could be so I sometimes have to listen to what he says & then figure out what is the problem. I think I'll suggest that he uninstall McAfee (I NEVER liked them either) & I'll find him a free antivirus program so he's covered. Thank you for you precise info (as always)!!! 
@kaylachan (57664)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
5 Dec 09
I don't think so. Most computers come with Macfee installed. According to the error message, it doesn't sound like a windows defender problem but a cruption in the mcfee instulation. Whoever put the computer togeather probably didn't install the program correctly. Or, if he didn't pay for it, the subcription that came with the unit could have run out. In which case the macfee program would not work properly. See if you can get a hold of someone closer to help him troubleshoot the program.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
6 Dec 09
Thank you for the info. I wish he had somebody closer to assist him, but sadly he doesn't. His disability has left him barely able to speak so he can't even call support to help him. His hands are crippled to where it is hard for him to even type. The ONLY contact he has with the outside world right now is his computer, so he does the best he can to still type. I think most here understand what it's like to be cut off from your friends. Any local friends have long ago forsaken him since he is no longer fun to be around!!!
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
4 Dec 09
Hi there LadyM no it has not but for his own good he needs to have some sort of security on there
I use Anti vir which is a free download and brilliant
All he has to do is remove the Mcafee of the Computer by going to control Panel and remove it from there
It should not affect the Defender at all as I removed mine
He will get that up all the time because they want him to buy it so just tell him to remove it from the Computer and then he should not get that coming up any more
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
5 Dec 09
Thank you gabby...
I was concerned if Mcafee had to be the proggy to have defender work properly. I agree he needs some type of protection. So now I'll have him uninstall Mcafee & download the Anti vir. I don't mind helping him, but it's hard for me to fix things long distance. I don't always trust him understanding what I'm asking. And, to be perfectly honest, I don't always trust that I know the answer. I can sit down & do it on my computer, but find it difficult to tell somebody else how to do it because they always ask that one question I don't know the answer to!!! 
@thrillshills (191)
• India
4 Dec 09
I don't thing windows defender wold create any clash with McAfee... I have McAfee installed in my PC and it runs fine even with windows defender not active.. I am not a computer expert but till now i am not facing any issue in my PC.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
5 Dec 09
I don't think they are clashing. What I was trying to ask was if Mcafee had to be the AV proggy with Defender??? I was wondering whether to tell him to uninstall Mcafee & if I can find him s free one as he can't afford to buy one right now, I'd have him install it. I used to use & love AVG, but I think they charge now.
