Windows Defender vs. Security Essentials in Windows 8

Solution 1:

Microsoft says

Windows Defender for Windows 8 and Windows RT provides the same level of protection against malware as Microsoft Security Essentials. You can't use Microsoft Security Essentials with Windows 8, but you don't need to — Windows Defender is already included and ready to go. But if you’re looking to protect a PC with an older version of Windows, you can use Microsoft Security Essentials to help guard against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It provides free real-time protection for your home or small business PCs.

When you try to install the MS Essentials on your Windows 8 then you will get a popup message from Program Compatibility Assistant

This program has a compatibility issues

As we can see Windows 8 come along with Windows Defender which has the same feature as MS Essentials has on older Windows.

You have to update it like MS Essential to keep your system protected.

You have the setting options like MS Essential.

I'm just looking a new feature Microsoft Active Protection Service(MAPS) in the settings tab or may be its already there and I noticed it now.

Only they are giving a lack of integration of right click and scan a file/folder/drive which you can achieve with a registry hack. For this read my question here.

Solution 2:

Security Essentials was integrated into the system on Windows 8 and does not need to be installed.