Windows 10: Defender not updating on w8.1, Please suggest a free antivirus

My w8.1 Window updates have not been working for some 2-3 years, Automatic Maintenance has also not been working for the same duration, now Windows Defender has also started NOT updating virus definitions.I can manually download mpam-fe.exe and run to update that, but that is not convenient enough, and also a wastage of bandwidth and time to download entire set of definitions some 1 27 MB as of date for just a week's new definitions. Then I forget often.So, I seek to stop Windows Defender and use a third party antivirus.Please suggest a free antivirus for w8.1, that is sleek, silent and most

:)

 

definition update for windows denfender antivirus

Hi mknic,
I have literally just installed the definition update KB2267602 without any problem. I suggest as a first step checking all the Windows Defender settings to make sure they all have the 'green ticks' in each section.






ps. The only reason the 'Family Options' is not ticked is because I am the only user on my computer.

I also would suggest running the 'Troubleshoot' feature in the Update & Security settings which has a section dealing with update problems.

 

How to stop “windows defender antivirus service”?

Hello, *Smile

If you are wanting to turn off Windows Defender Antivirus, then you could use an option in the updated tutorial below. Be sure to turn off Tamper Protection first in step 1.

Turn On or Off Windows Defender Antivirus in Windows 10

 

Defender AntiVirus

There are 4 options under Defender. Two refer to AntiVirus; AntiVirus Network Inspection Service & AntiVirus Services. Under Startup Type these two are listed as manual and the Status column said Inspection Service is running. When I clicked on the Start
button in Properties, I got an immediate message: "Win.. Def.. Anti.. Serv.. on local comp.. started and then stopped. Some services stop automatically if they are not in use by other services or programs."