In Windows 7 Defender hides like a Ninja

Posted by The Geek

Windows Defender is one of those components people expect to be in the background working and protecting their Vista/Windows 7 machine. But does protecting the system mean it should be excluded from the Start menu? Today when looking for it I noticed it is nowhere to be found on the start menu. After being unable to use the search feature (because it sucks and can’t find anything) I had to look in the menu. After opening all of the folders on the menu and being unable to find it I finally gave up and simply navigated to it via the file browser. Then there is the Vista start menu with it easily accessible.

Windows 7 Start Menu

Vista Start Menu

10 Comments

Leo

Said,

Nice screenshot in spanish :-)

The Geek

Said,

Thanks, Have to work with it quite a bit here. And I didn’t actually expect anyone to notice :)

scotty

Said,

I managed to find it :-) Open the windows help from the start menu, or by clicking that blue question mark while something like My Computer is open. Search help for windows defender, click “Turn Windows Defender on or off,” and in that article there’s a link to open windows defender. I was surprised they took it off the start menu and made it so hard to find. Even in the action center, there’s no link to it =\

The Geek

Said,

I gave up a lot quicker than you did :D
I wonder what the Windows Defender team would think about having their program hidden…

bigfish

Said,

I didn’t have any trouble finding it. I just typed a “d” in the search and it popped right up.
But I can’t find an option to make it appear in the system tray.
Why?

The Geek

Said,

The reason that Windows Defender does not have an option to appear in the System Tray is that it is not intended to be a true anti-virus. It operates with a reduced definition file and is there for the most common of malware.

If your still looking for an anti-virus I would suggest downloading the Tech Preview of Kaspersky which will be free until May.

h4ck573r

Said,

That is because you are a beginner , and should read some books and get some experience with computers and operating systems before you insult the search feature in windows 7.Start menu was built in an attempt to be idiot proof, and you could not find defender there because it is not considered a program , albeit a feature. One can easily find it in control panel, where it actually belongs.For any further question you might have, feel free to contact me via e-mail.
More details about how to ask me something, that you don’t know, can be found on site that i work for : altusterminus.com.
best regards… H4ck573R

The Geek

Said,

@h4ck573r
When it comes to idiots you are at the top of the list. This post was written January 6th and was in regards to an early beta (possibly alpha) build of Windows 7. At that time it WAS NOT where it was supposed to be. Since this time (and due to my reporting the problem) this was resolved with later builds.

Before you go around accusing people of being stupid and trying to promote yourself and your own site why don’t you grow a brain, check dates and your facts. Get back on your short bus and leave the educating to those more qualified.

Nyckelpiga

Said,