McAfee LiveSafe on a new laptop / notebook

[Oblivion1991]

Dear all

Regarding anyone, which laptop / notebook came with pre-installed McAfee LiveSafe.

After initial Windows setup, and first time you saw the Windows desktop / first time logged in.

1.
Was Microsoft Defender selected as protection in Virus & threat protection?
Or was McAfee LiveSafe selected as protection in Virus & threat protection?

2.
Was McAfee LiveSafe already active?
Or did it require to start a trial-period for example, before McAfee LiveSafe would be activated?

Thank you

[Raj_05]

Hi @Oblivion1991,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

HP laptops and notebooks often come with McAfee LiveSafe pre-installed as part of the software package, especially for consumer-grade models. Here's how it typically works.

Virus & Threat Protection:

• After completing the initial Windows setup and logging into the desktop for the first time, Microsoft Defender is usually selected as the default protection in Virus & threat protection. This is because Microsoft Defender is the built-in security tool in Windows 10/11.
• However, after logging in, you might see McAfee LiveSafe either pre-activated or as a prompt offering a trial period. Once McAfee LiveSafe is activated (if it wasn't pre-activated), it will replace Microsoft Defender and take over as the active antivirus software.

Activation of McAfee LiveSafe:

• McAfee LiveSafe might be pre-activated or require you to start a trial period depending on the model and configuration. Often, HP laptops come with a trial period (typically 30 to 60 days) that requires you to enter a product key or subscribe to continue using it.
• In some cases, McAfee LiveSafe may be pre-activated for the user right away, but in other cases, it might need to be manually activated or require an internet connection to start the trial or full subscription.

So, after your first login.
 

• Microsoft Defender will initially be the default protection.
• McAfee LiveSafe might require activation, either as part of a trial period or a full subscription, depending on the laptop configuration.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support 

[Oblivion1991]

Thank you for your long and great reply

1.
How common is it, that McAfee LiveSafe is activated from the start, and is the selected active antivirus software from the start?
Is it one in every third laptop, or more evenly spread?

2.
" Once McAfee LiveSafe is activated (if it wasn't pre-activated), it will replace Microsoft Defender and take over as the active antivirus software."
-
it will replace Microsoft Defender - how fast? instantly? or after a reboot?

[Raj_05]

Hi @Oblivion1991,

Thank you for your response, 

Prevalence of McAfee LiveSafe as Default Antivirus Software

McAfee LiveSafe is commonly pre-installed on many laptops, particularly those from major OEMs like HP, Dell, and Lenovo. The exact distribution depends on the brand, region, and sales agreements between the manufacturer and McAfee.

• 
  HP Devices: A significant proportion of HP laptops come with McAfee LiveSafe pre-installed and often activated for a trial period. It's likely more than one in every three laptops from HP, but the prevalence varies with the model and market.
• Other Brands: Similar trends are seen with other brands, but the software pre-installed can vary, with some opting for Norton or just relying on Microsoft Defender.

McAfee LiveSafe is quite common, but it isn't universal across all laptops. Roughly 1 in 2 or 1 in 3 laptops might have it, depending on the manufacturer and region.

How Quickly Does McAfee Replace Microsoft Defender?

When McAfee LiveSafe is activated (either pre-activated or by the user):

• 
  Instant Transition: McAfee takes over as the active antivirus software immediately upon activation. Microsoft Defender's real-time protection is automatically disabled to prevent conflicts, as Windows only allows one active antivirus at a time.
• No Reboot Required: A reboot is not typically necessary for McAfee to replace Microsoft Defender as the active antivirus. The change is handled in real time by the Windows Security Center, which detects the new antivirus software and deactivates Microsoft Defender automatically.

If you're unsure whether the transition occurred, you can verify it by checking the Windows Security settings under Virus & Threat Protection to see which software is listed as the active antivirus. 

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support

[Oblivion1991]

1.
" Once McAfee LiveSafe is activated (if it wasn't pre-activated), it will replace Microsoft Defender and take over as the active antivirus software."
-
What protection features does McAfee LiveSafe not replace when activated?

Are some MS Defender Protection features still active?

2.

If MS Defender is selected as the active antivirus software and replacing McAfee LiveSafe
-
How fast? instantly? or after a reboot?

3.
If MS Defender is selected as the active antivirus software and replacing McAfee LiveSafe.
Does it replace all the McAfee LiveSafe protection features?

Thank you

[Raj_05]

Hi @Oblivion1991,

Thank you for your response,

Here's a breakdown of how McAfee LiveSafe interacts with Microsoft Defender and answers to your questions.

What protection features does McAfee LiveSafe not replace when activated? Are some MS Defender protection features still active?

Replaced Features:
When McAfee LiveSafe is activated, it becomes the primary antivirus and malware protection suite on your laptop. It disables Microsoft Defender's real-time protection and antivirus functionality to avoid conflicts between the two programs.

Features Not Replaced:

• Firewall: If McAfee LiveSafe includes its own firewall, it will take over. However, Microsoft Defender Firewall may remain active if configured or if McAfee does not provide one.
• Controlled Folder Access: This feature of Windows Security designed to prevent unauthorized access to files by ransomware may remain active unless manually disabled.
• Device Security: Some hardware-level protections (e.g., Secure Boot, TPM) are managed by Windows and remain unaffected by McAfee LiveSafe.
• Windows Updates: Microsoft Defender's role in facilitating some update-related tasks for the system continues.

If Microsoft Defender is selected as the active antivirus software and replaces McAfee LiveSafe, how fast does it take effect?

• Transition Speed:
  Switching back to Microsoft Defender is generally instant. Once McAfee LiveSafe is disabled or uninstalled:
  • Microsoft Defender automatically re-enables itself to provide real-time protection.
  • No reboot is typically required, but one might be recommended in some cases to ensure smooth transitions, such as when removing McAfee services.

Does Microsoft Defender replace all McAfee LiveSafe protection features?

Replaced Features:
Microsoft Defender provides a comprehensive suite of protections, including antivirus, antimalware, real-time protection, firewall, and network monitoring. However, certain specialized features offered by McAfee LiveSafe might not be replicated, such as:

• Identity Theft Protection: Some versions of McAfee LiveSafe offer credit monitoring and identity theft services that are not included in Defender.
• Secure Cloud Storage: McAfee may provide cloud backup services, which Defender does not.
• Password Manager: If McAfee LiveSafe includes a password manager, this is not part of Microsoft Defender's functionality.

Gaps in Replacement:
If you rely on McAfee-specific premium features, you'll need alternative tools to replace them. For core antivirus and system protection, Microsoft Defender is fully capable of replacing McAfee LiveSafe

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support 

[Oblivion1991]

Features Not Replaced:

• Firewall: If McAfee LiveSafe includes its own firewall, it will take over. However, Microsoft Defender Firewall may remain active if configured or if McAfee does not provide one.

1.

If McAfee LiveSafe firewall is activated, it will replace Microsoft Defender firewall instantly?

2.
If McAfee LiveSafe firewall is deactivated, Microsoft Defender firewall will activate instantly?
Or do you have to activate Microsoft Defender firewall manually?

Thank you

[Oblivion1991]

Dear Alden

Could you kindly try to answer the rest of my questions?

Thank you

Features Not Replaced:

• Firewall: If McAfee LiveSafe includes its own firewall, it will take over. However, Microsoft Defender Firewall may remain active if configured or if McAfee does not provide one.

1.

If McAfee LiveSafe firewall is activated, it will replace Microsoft Defender firewall instantly?

2.
If McAfee LiveSafe firewall is deactivated, Microsoft Defender firewall will activate instantly?
Or do you have to activate Microsoft Defender firewall manually?

Thank you