confused about security options

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just purchased a new Acer Win 8 notebook computer that came with McAfee security installed. I intend to delete it — I’ve always used MS Security Essentials on my other computers. Do I understand correctly that MSE is not available for Win8, but that Windows Defender is the new equivalent? If so, is it already on the computer, ready to be activated, or do I need to download it? (I Googled for Windows Defender, and was only able to find a deprecated 2005 product. Where do I obtain Defender? My bottom line question is how do I replace the commercial McAfee product with Microsoft’s own product? I don’t want to delete McAfee until I know the replacement files are already downloaded on the computer.

Thanks
Jack

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From PCMag.com

As PCMag’s lead analyst for security Neil Rubenking noted a few weeks ago, Microsoft decided to release Windows 8 with built-in antivirus. This is a much more robust application than Microsoft Security Essentials, the free anti-malware software that users could download and install manually in previous versions.
Windows Defender (Microsoft repurposed the name for the anti-malware product) is enabled by default, right out of the box, which means users have some form of security protection as soon as they turn on the machine. While it can’t be uninstalled, it can be disabled if the user wants to install a different security product from another vendor (AV-Test has certified several as being Windows-8-ready). In fact, Windows Defender must be disabled if you want to install a third-party security suite.

Windows Defender can be access via the Control Panel.

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Win 8 Pro comes with Windows Defender (updated MSE) installed by default. When another AV app is installed (junky McAfee by Acer) then WD is disabled automatically. Once you remove McAfee WD may enable itself again automatically. If not F.U.N. has listed the solution.

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It worked. I removed McAfee using Control Panel, and Windows Defender became activated. There was a bit of futzing to get everything to work properly (e.g. *something* turned off the WiFi, and it was a pain to figure that out). Seems to be running now. Thanks both for the input.

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Glad you were able to get rid of McAfee so easily. Some have had so many problems doing this.

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There is a difference between turning off McAfee and uninstalling it. Think of McAfee as malware hiding in the recesses of your computer. If it still installed, particularly if it is still in the Start up, it will be back and it will be causing problems. Get something like Revo Uninstaller and uninstall anything you can find that seems to have anything to do with McAfee. If it says “are you sure?”, do it. You may have to fix something else, but that’s easier in the long run.

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This articlediscusses a McAfee removal tool (from McAfee) with a link to download the removal tool. As Prescott says, removing McAfee can be cumbersome.

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