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donr53

14 Posts

75980

February 26th, 2007 23:00

Windows defender doesn't update definitions

Hi Got my new dell 521 a couple of weeks ago. Windows defender doesn't update the definition files. The definitions files are from may of 2006.  What can be done? Thanks in advance  Don

tech_brain

20 Posts

February 26th, 2007 23:00

When downloading and installing the updates for Windows even the support files for Windows Defender gets downloaded. There haven't been many upgrades or major changes in Windows Defendender since the original creation file. Hence it still gives you the definition files from May 2006 i.e  when it was originally finalised  ...

mtpugh

57 Posts

February 27th, 2007 00:00

Try uninstalling Windows Defender and downloading it again from the Microsoft site. It is possible that you have an old version that is no longer updating. Contrary to what tech_brain says, Defender updates regularly. The definition file that I have is 1.15.2323.1 dated 2/21/2007 at 2:47 PM. Defender has updated 7 times since I upgraded to Windows Vista 1/30/2007.

donr53

14 Posts

February 27th, 2007 00:00

This was all on the new dell when it arrived. I'm not trying to upgrade windows defender just update the definitions files. Since the middle of last year there should have been at least weekly updates. Windows defender itself states that it can not update the difinitions. Should I shut it off and buy spyware that will update itself?  Thanks Don

mtpugh

57 Posts

February 27th, 2007 00:00

You're right, it's not there. Try downloading from http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx and just installing without uninstalling the old version. That should work.

donr53

14 Posts

February 27th, 2007 00:00

I downloaded the newest version, but when I go to install it , it tells me that I can't install it because it comes with windows vista.   Now what   Thanks again

jmwills

2 Intern

 • 

12K Posts

February 27th, 2007 00:00

It's there.

jmwills

2 Intern

 • 

12K Posts

February 27th, 2007 00:00

Defender just transitioned from a Beta product to final version,  You might have one of the beat installs on your system.  If so, then you will have to uninstall it, and install the new version.

mtpugh

57 Posts

February 27th, 2007 00:00

I think if you'll try my suggestion you'll find that Defender updates itself with no problem in the future.

donr53

14 Posts

February 27th, 2007 00:00

How would you uninstall it?  I can't find it in add and remove programs   In all program under start , windows defender just opens the program. no uninstall.  Thanks Don  It's version 1.1.1505.0


Message Edited by donr53 on 02-26-2007 08:34 PM

jmwills

2 Intern

 • 

12K Posts

February 27th, 2007 01:00

I was thinking of a possible validation issue.  You must prove that you have a legal copy of Windows now to even download ANY Windows updates.  There have been some reports of problems, no just with Dell, but with all OEMs showing their licenses are not valid.
 
I have what we call an Army Gold master copy of Office and XP at work and It still will not valifdate me for certain things that I need to evaluate.

mtpugh

57 Posts

February 27th, 2007 01:00

 
Since you just got the machine, I would try the link above and choose chat.

jmwills

2 Intern

 • 

12K Posts

February 27th, 2007 01:00

What is the version number of your latest defintions file?
 
Mine is 1.15.2323.1

mtpugh

57 Posts

February 27th, 2007 01:00

I'm at a loss now. When you originally tried to update the Windows Defender definition files, was there an error message?

donr53

14 Posts

February 27th, 2007 01:00

Yes    0x80240029  Comes back to some invalid license.  Don't know what that means  Thanks again.   but the way this is the way it came to me brand new from dell.  I haven't figured out how to get help from them yet. Defender came installed on it from dell  and is suppose to be contain in vista, that's why it won't let me install the version that i downloaded.


Message Edited by donr53 on 02-26-2007 09:19 PM

jmwills

2 Intern

 • 

12K Posts

February 27th, 2007 01:00

I too am at a loss.  If you just got your machine, how did you install a copy of Defender that only had definitions from 9 months ago?
I just installed the program AGAIN, and it does show up under Add/Remove programs.
 
If you click support under the program there is an option to repair the program.

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