After some high-profile incidents, doubts about long-term effectiveness, and conflicts with other software, the main recommendation to protect a Windows computer these days boils down to "leaving Windows Defender alone". However, there are certain details in its behavior that require a more advanced interface. That's when ConfigureDefender steps in.
Windows Defender is "sufficient". It is not "perfect", not "ideal"... only "sufficient". Microsoft considers that compromise a security success, as do the vast majority of users, since there is nothing more annoying than an antivirus throwing alerts every two minutes. But its basic interface is quite limited and uncomfortable, and some of its parameters cannot be modified without a PowerShell session, or a visit to the Registry.
For example, many users complain about the impressive CPU usage during scans. Systems with more modest processors suffer this especially, and faced with such a loss of performance, the "nuclear option" is to disable it completely. Fortunately, there are things like ConfigureDefender, which enables access to advanced parameters in Windows Defender, quickly and easily.
How to configure Windows Defender
ConfigureDefender bases its operation on three presets: Default, High, and Max. Default presents Windows Defender as it is after installing Windows. High enables additional network protection and various elements of the ASR (Attack Surface Reduction) section. Max is essentially a "paranoid mode" intended to protect the youngest and casual users. Max also blocks access to Windows Defender to prevent unwanted changes, leaving ConfigureDefender as the only option.
One of the most interesting aspects of ConfigureDefender is the CPU usage limit. Generally, this value is modified with PowerShell, the Registry, or Group Policies, but ConfigureDefender reduces it to a couple of clicks. If you feel that Windows Defender leaves your PC on its knees, it's not a bad idea to change this to 10 or 20 percent.
ConfigureDefender has received some updates in recent months, mainly in response to internal changes in Windows Defender. One of the "sacrifices" was that ConfigureDefender does not have the ability to disable the antivirus, otherwise it would be considered malicious software (and VirusTotal throws a couple of false positives). Anyway, if you don't want to replace Windows Defender but would like to have a little more control over its behavior, ConfigureDefender will help you, and a lot.
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