Auto Update Windows Defender files but not Windows Updates?

I haven't looked real hard, but is there a way for Windows Defender to auto update it's definition files on its own daily but not other Windows Update files? When it was Microsoft Security Essentials I believe I could set it within the app itself, but now it doesn't seem that's available.

 

Nah, I don't it will work unless you set the updates to full auto.

 

Thanks, but I don't want a different AV solution, that wasn't the question, but thanks.

 

See this link:

Windows Defender automatic definition updates in Windows 8? | omnidirecttech

I personally don't know if this works. It should, but I don't know if you need to have the updates turned on. That would defeat your purpose.

 

I'll give that a shot, thanks Dragnoak. Maybe this will be something MS will patch into Defender.... nah, why would they do that?

 

I don't know about Windows 8.1... but I use MSE in Windows 7 (same program), and it seems to be updating itself properly WITHOUT the system constantly asking me to prompt Windows Updates.

Then again, I've set MSE to do a quick scan of the system every day at a specific hour.
Its in the 'Settings' tab and has an option to tick the box that says: 'check for the latest virus and spyware definitions before running a scheduled scan'.
I think I recall from my experience of Windows Defender on 2 computers that this remained unchanged.

MSE/Defender constantly updates itself if you tick that box and set it to run a scheduled scan every day.

 

Sorry Deks, MSE in Win 7, is not the "same program" as Win 8 Defender. There is no setting in Win 8 defender to "tick" for the updates automatically. Also, a quick scan is run daily via the task scheduler. The only way to change the schedule, is in that task interface. See the above link I posted.

You're a hoot, Mr. Nut!

"Patches, patches? We don't need no stinking patches!"

 

That doesn't make any sense.
I remember setting Windows Defender on both my cousin's and friends laptop (both had Windows 8 at the time) to scan their computers on a daily basis at a specific time from within Windows Defender... and I also recall the said box also stated it can check for new virus definitions before running the scan - unless MS changed things.

 

The option does not exist. There is also no setting to say when to scan the computer or even "on a daily basis". Just that "real-time protection" is enabled.

 

That really doesn't make any sense.
And 'on a daily basis' is an acronym for 'daily'.
These settings are found under 'Scheduled scan'... but it would appear MS decided to remove these options from Windows Defender in Windows 8.1.
I repeat, I distinctly remember setting up my cousin and friend laptops to their preferences using the Scheduled scan option inside Windows Defender - but this was before 8.1 patch.
Its possible MS altered WD with that... and if they did, it was a BAD move.

 

Nope that's all gone since Windows 8. Using Windows 8 (not 8.1) here:



Isn't Windows 8 just great?

Hey that rhymes.

 

The default scan, using Defender under 8.1, runs one quick scan every 24 hours. You don't even have to set it up, after all it is the default when you install the Defender programs.

And yes, the big change was in Win 8. The Windows 8 Defender did not have any way to customize the scan in the settings menu. Sorry Deks, it just wasn't there!