windows defender and Sophos together alongside.

Question

Hello All,

I have question. what is the recommendation to run windows defender with Sophos.

Since windows defender is inbuilt can't we run both of them "Windows defender and Sophos" together? Though I can see high CPU utilization running together.

What you guys are following? as per Sophos they're asking for disable the Windows defender but before disabling I want to know the drawback on security point of view.

Answer 1

Hello there,

Microsoft Defender cannot be used together with other antivirus software such as Sophos Anti-Virus or McAfee Endpoint Security.

Defender for Endpoint includes capabilities that further extend the antivirus protection that is installed on your endpoint. You can benefit from running Microsoft Defender Antivirus alongside another antivirus solution.

For example, Endpoint detection and response (EDR) in block mode provides added protection from malicious artifacts even if Microsoft Defender Antivirus is not the primary antivirus product.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus compatibility with other security products https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/microsoft-defender-antivirus-compatibility?view=o365-worldwide

Hope this resolves your Query !!

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Answer 2

Is their way I can use windows defender in passive mode without Windows end point.

Primary will third party antivirus but want windows defender should be in passive mode

Answer 3

You CAN run MDE with other vendors on the same endpoint - you just need set MDE in non-block mode:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/microsoft-defender-antivirus-compatibility?view=o365-worldwide

BR