Windows 10 & Windows Defender Interface

Qui-Gon John · Post by **Qui-Gon John** » Wed May 30, 2018 10:54 am

So I was helping someone today with their Windows 10, 1803 (OS Build 17134.48) and no matter what I tried, I could not get it so they could access the Classic Interface for Windows Defender. I tried the trick to make a shortcut of the msascui.exe file, but even that did not do it. Can someone tell me how I can set this up?

Or is this another one of the changes that Microsoft "claimed" would not be happening with their effing "forced updates", where they claimed the reason for the forced updates was to keep people's computers safe with all the latest security patches. But has turned into a programmer's playground to experiment with all manner of stupid pointless changes, just because they can.

I am SO ANGRY at Microsoft over these kinds of things.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Wed May 30, 2018 4:27 pm

Pretty sure the old interface went away last fall.

Defender has been substantially expanded...as has many other antivirus brands. With account hijacking and ransomware and new ways of infecting the OS, Defender has evolved to keep up with other security software and "the need" for it. Not only pure file scanning like old antivirus, but additional layers to the user account, and core OS processes, and running memory, and ransomware protection.

https://www.windowscentral.com/whats-ne ... 018-update

You can still get into the regular antivirus scanner settings in there to set exclusions and what not....similar to the old version (which wasn't all too granular anyays).

Qui-Gon John · Post by **Qui-Gon John** » Wed May 30, 2018 4:47 pm

Well I have been able to get into the Classic Interface up until very recently. By making the desktop shortcut as I mentioned. But why did MS have to completely change how you use the program vs. just adding more tabs or more options within the structure of the Classic Interface it had? There is no excuse for Microsoft doing these kinds of changes. Especially when you don't really have the option to Not Update and leave the software as you bought it.

Post by **Philip** » Thu May 31, 2018 9:22 am

The problem is not with the OS evolving - parts of it are moving towards the Metro interface looks with every update it seems (Network adapter properties, Windows Defender, etc.)

The issue is with the forced update to newer versions I suppose. You may be able to stop those though, here are a few ideas:

1) Stop the Windows update service (not really a good idea, as you will miss on security updates)

2) Local Group policy editor (gpedit.msc , not in the "Home" edition though):
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update --> right-click "Configure Automatic Updates" policy

3) Windows Registry
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows --> right-click the "Windows" folder, create a new "Key" named "WindowsUpdate" --> right-click "WindowsUpdate" key, create a new "Key" named "AU" --> under that key, create a DWORD (32-bit) named "AUOptions", and set its value to one of these:

2 - "Notify for download and notify for install."
3 - "Auto download and notify for install."
4 - "Auto download and schedule the install."
5 - "Allow local admin to choose settings."

Setting "AUOptinos" to "2" will just notify you of new updates without forcing them.

erpguy2 · Post by **erpguy2** » Sat Sep 15, 2018 7:23 pm

the "Classic" Windows Defender interface has been removed in the 1803 version of Windows 10, Qui-Gon John.
use an older release of Win10 (like the v1709 release) if you like the older Windows Defender UI

Qui-Gon John · Post by **Qui-Gon John** » Tue Sep 18, 2018 9:15 am

erpguy2, but that's my point. How does taking away the "Classic" Windows Defender interface keep people's computer protected and safe with all the latest security patches, etc.? So may of the changes MS is making with every Windows 10 update have NOTHING to do with protecting the computer or the user. They are all about some lame programmer getting his jollies at the average user's expense.