PDF-XChange Co Ltd :: Knowledge Base :: Why does Windows Defender Display a False Positive Alert When Using the PDF-XChange Updater to Update to Build 384?

KB578
Jun 20, 2024 02:17 PM

Why does Windows Defender Display a False Positive Alert When Using the PDF-XChange Updater to Update to Build 384?

Symptoms

When using the updater tool to update to the current version of PDF-XChange products, you get a Windows Defender message that warns of potential viruses in our products. Note that this issue occurs when using the latest release of Windows and MS Defender.

Cause

Certain heuristics in an older version of a Windows Defender definitions file were falsely detecting Trojan horses in the PDFXEdit.exe file. Windows Defender was putting that file and others (e.g. the Start Menu shortcuts) into quarantine, and PDF-XChange Editor had the appearance of not having been installed/updated properly.

Resolution

We have contacted Microsoft with a report of this error, and they have confirmed that it was a false positive. We have also used many other antivirus programs to check for the presence of this problem, and can confirm that it is a Windows Defender only issue. Please update the definitions for your Windows Defender in order to resolve this issue, as it should now correctly recognize our installers. In the event that the issue is still present, please uninstall and reinstall your PDF-XChange products.

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