Windows Defender

Hi all, Windows Defender kindly told me I needed to check for new definitions - I did, then it told me Error Code 0x800072efd.

Trying to find what that is was an exercise in frustration and remains a mystery.

I am running Windows XP.

Help please and do I really need to have Windows Defender as well as Avast?

Avast is probally causing this problem , to answer your question "Do you need defender? Its all about opinions, my take is NO as long as you have a good antivirus program!

I use avira and never update defender , never have virus\spyware issues!

I wondered about Avast causing the trouble. Had it years though as well as defender. My son recently put a Register Cleaner Pro onto the computer. It did a good job of cleaning out old stuff. Perhaps it is that as well. That's the only new thing.

Thank you for your help!

The windows defender icon is in the tray and won't go away. Can I disable Avast without problems & then update Defender?

Gemini wrote:

My son recently put a Register Cleaner Pro onto the computer. It did a good job of cleaning out old stuff.

Registry cleaners do good jobs at cleaning old stuff and also do good jobs at cleaning vital stuff and messing up computers. Careful with them.

You can safely disable your AV for some time, if you don´t start downloading stuff and browsing shady sites during that time

For Reg cleaners, worth reading: http://www.GeekPolice.net/software-f6/registry-cleaners-t14797.htm#93208

Hi Gabe & Dragon, thank you. I'll disable Avast before my son is logged on and give Defender's Definitions another try. I keep getting a pop-up saying my browser is not safe (apparently from Windows). I use Firefox.

I'll pass your warning along to son.

Hi again, well I did disable Avast, and tried to update Defender definitions, but still no go, so the icon is still in the tray.

I keep getting this pop-up window (below). Please tell me if it is real, or just a hoax of some sort. Thanks folks.

Windows Internet Security
Your browser is under the threat of infection. Windows requires your permission to install online protection tool.
Your browser is run in unsafe mode. Running the protection mode will help you to keep your computer safe. Staying at the suspicious website in unsafe mode may lead to the loss of personal data and computer breakage. To run the web browser in protected mode Windows requires installing the certified antivirus scanner software and online protection tool.
Online Protection Tool
Microsoft Windows