Windows Defender Is Becoming the Powerful Antivirus That Windows 10 Needs

Because an AV isn't required to use internet, a browser is.

 

How so? You can install anything you want, and users may chose to keep WD periodic scanning off.

 

It's installed by default with no option. Passively leaving it is not the same as choosing to use it. If that is your choice than I am not criticizing the product itself (at least in this context) but if the EU is going to drag them into court for even including things like a browser and media player which only execute when you use them, then this is forced as it is always running. Try turning it off if you haven't installed anything else. If you want to keep it off you have to jump through hoops the average user isn't willing/able to do.

That said I personally had no gripes about using IE or Windows Media Player in those days but if those were an issue this is the same issue to a greater extent. I'd also prefer people used Defender instead of nothing but based on past experience I don't expect the court systems to let it go at that.

 

I can see why Microsoft would want it be hard to turn off an antivirus. for most people I can't see any reason as to why someone would want to turn off defender without using a 3rd party product.
It is like a car manufacturer installing a factory alarm but turning it off by default to give users choice to use a 3rd party one if they want to.

 

Some folks would prefer performance over security. I still know of many that won't run security software because it "slows them down".

 

True, but users who share your preference probably wouldn't have trouble being rid of it. Even a non-geek could do it if so motivated. Since Windows is so widespread, M$ would rather most average users have some protection rather than none. Uneducated, unprotected users increase the threat landscape siginificantly for everyone.

 

And some self-educated ones who think they know better as well.
If one knows how to turn on WD, one knows how to turn it off.
But at least those who don't know are protected.

 

I disagree with none of that, but when you state "users who share your preference" I hope you did not take me to mean that I run without security software. Or that I approve of anyone that does. All of my devices have some top rated paid for suite. I was just acknowledging that it happens and that it is ultimately the choice of the user.

 

I really wonder if we will have 3rd party AV out there in 2030, Windows Defender is getting better and better.

 

I'm sure there will be. At the moment, I still greatly prefer some third party antiviruses. Maybe one day, I will like WD enough to use it.

 

I've been saying the same for a while. So far it's still not there. I guess my biggest complaint is that they don't give you enough control over it. Defender seems to always be busy and you can't tell what it is doing through the UI.

 

By 2030 my best guess is pertaining to the consumer market, the only third party AVs left will be the free ones offered by grayware vendors. If today's major 3rd party AV vendors have consumer solutions, they will be very expensive and very specialized. Think along the lines of AppGuard.

Latest figures I have seen state WD already has 50% market share. I assume that is of the consumer market. Consumer AV software profitability is shrinking for a number of reasons which are not directly related to WD's AV Lab test improved scores. My best guess is WD will have 90+% of the consumer market by 2022 or earlier.

Now ask yourself this question. Will Microsoft keep spending money on consumer WD product enhancements if they don't see like market share increases in their commercial products such as WD ATP? It very well could be a return to the early Win 7 MSE days security-wise for consumers if this doesn't happen. The question is if the departed third party major AV players will return to consumer market? Doubtful I would say.

At this point, Microsoft has a monopoly on the consumer AV market and will promptly start charging monthly license fees for the Home and non-Pro WD ATP versions as is currently done for the Enterprise versions.

The old saying "be careful for what you wish for" comes to mind.

 

I somehow thought that this is market share on Windows 10 systems only and not whole consumer desktop market. But I might be wrong.

 

Suspect that the bulk of the figure is Win 10 installations. But with EOL for Win 7 on the near horizon, I expect the figure to increase significantly.

 

As for the 2030 thing I don't really expect AV to still be a thing by then. Everything will be a bunch of cloud connected dumb devices that will be controlled by whoever is the service provider at that time. You'll pay your monthly dues and have no control of anything. Microsoft/Apple/Google will take care of the security of their own network. Though they will probably bill you a fee for doing so.

 

By 2030 you will have a brain implant and you will do all your computing thru contact lenses, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Apple will control everything you do,but you won't know it. kidding, maybe by 2040!!

 

Andy Ful's Hard_Configurator is worth looking at.

 

Yes exactly, this is even worse than the IE case. Also, third party AV companies can also mention that M$ is offering Win Def AV as part of Win Def ATP, so it's not only about the consumer market. A big Win Def marketshare may influence companies to choose the Win Def ATP product instead of other business security products.

 

Well,I hope I won’t be on this earth then!

 

Ha, just refuse the implant , go underground and live in a cave. Resistance is futile........

 

Wouldn't be healthy? Sleep at sundown, wake up at sunrise, doing exercise by hunting and fishing for food, breath pure air. And most of all, avoid society's silliness

 

As long as you have Windows Defender!

 

Microsoft fixes the Windows Defender sfc bug (August 2019)
https://borncity.com/win/2019/08/19/microsoft-fixes-the-windows-defender-sfc-bug-august-2019/

 

I hadn't noticed that bug , but good to know they've fixed it. I have often relied on sfc /scannow. Wonder if DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth had issues too ...