Duo Desktop error b/c Windows Defender not seen

Question

I just purchased Bitdefender to provide additional security. However my work requires that we verify system security using Duo Desktop. The Duo Desktop requires us to use Windows Defender before it will operate.  From my browsing in these forums, it appears Bitdefender disables Windows Defender when it installs.  But is there a way for me to use both and have Duo Desktop acknowledge that?  I would love to keep Bitdefender but will have to uninstall if I can't access my work via Duo Desktop.

I am on Windows 11 Home. I selected to allow Windows Defender to continue checking periodically for threats in my Windows Security controls.

Alex_Show · Answer

hi ProtectMe84,

U can try virtualization.  Duo Desktop supports Windows virtual machines, where by default Windows Defender is preinstalled.

So you would keep in any case Bitdefender on the host OS and create a virtual machine (VM) for Duo Desktop.

dvsls · Answer

Bitdefender does NOT disable Windows Defender.

Windows automatically disables Windows Defender Antivirus real-time protection when it detects a registered third-party antivirus. That avoids two AVs scanning the same files at once (conflicts and extra load).

You might need to check the approved AV list from your organization.