Free Antivirus for Windows 8: Windows Defender
Are you looking for a free antivirus or antimalware for your new Windows 8 OS? You do not have to pay for these tools anymore. Learn more about Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials included with Windows 8 to protect your computer from malware and virus.
After we install Windows on any computer, the first recommended step is to install an Windows 8. Microsoft has enhanced the Windows Defender program to include antivirus and antimalware solutions in to a single package. And the best part of it is, it is free and it is included with your Windows 8 by default. With no additional steps needed, your computer is protected from malicious attack from the moment you install Windows 8.
Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials
Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials were available with previous releases of Windows as well. However, both were separate packages. Windows Defender was an antivirus solution and the Security Essentials was a broader package that offer a wider range of security for your Windows, which included malware protection as well.Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials in Windows 8
In Windows 8, Microsoft pulled some of the good features from Microsoft Security Essentials and merged in to Windows Defender and offered it as a single security solution for Windows 8.
If you have installed Windows 8 Release Preview or other previous versions of Windows 8, you have Windows Defender already included on your Windows.
How to access Windows Defender on your Windows 8 Computer
If you are worried if Windows Defender is running on your Windows 8 computer or if you are concerned if your computer is actively protected, open Windows Defender and make sure the realtime protection is turned on. If it is not turned on, you can follow the steps to turn on the real time protection. Also, remember to update the virus definitions and keep them up to date to make sure you are always protected from the newer threats.
Windows Defender on Windows 8 uses the "Windows secured boot", which is a new security feature in Windows 8. This feature protects your computer firmware and make sure only safe firmware can be installed on the devices. Windows Defender uses the Windows secured boot and the same Windows secured boot APIs are available for other third party antivirus and security tool developers. This will help third party antivirus providers also provide the same level security for your Windows 8.
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If you are worried if Windows Defender is running on your Windows 8 computer or if you are concerned if your computer is actively protected, open Windows Defender and make sure the realtime protection is turned on. If it is not turned on, you can follow the steps to turn on the real time protection. Also, remember to update the virus definitions and keep them up to date.