What Is Windows Defender Security Center

Windows ten and 11 include Windows Security, which provides the latest antivirus protection. Your device will be actively protected from the moment yous commencement Windows. Windows Security continually scans for malware (malicious software), viruses, and security threats. In addition to this real-fourth dimension protection, updates are downloaded automatically to help keep your device safe and protect it from threats.

The Windows Security App in Windows 11

Windows 10 or eleven in Southward way

Some features will be a trivial different if you're running Windows 10 or 11 in Due south mode. Because this style is streamlined for tighter security, the Virus & threat protection area has fewer options. Merely don't worry—the built-in security of this manner automatically prevents viruses and other threats from running on your device, and y'all'll receive security updates automatically. For more info, see Windows 10 or 11 in South mode FAQ.

Important security info

Windows Security is built-in to Windows and includes an antivirus program called Microsoft Defender Antivirus. (In early versions of Windows x, Windows Security is called Windows Defender Security Center).
If you have another antivirus app installed and turned on, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will plow off automatically. If you uninstall the other app, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will turn dorsum on automatically.
If you're having issues receiving Windows Security updates, see Gear up Windows Update errors and the Windows Update FAQ.
For info on how to uninstall an app, see Repair or remove an app in Windows.
To change your user business relationship to an admin account, see Create a local user or administrator business relationship in Windows.

Understand and customize Windows Security features

Windows Security is your home to manage the tools that protect your device and your data:

Virus & threat protection - Monitor threats to your device, run scans, and get updates to help detect the latest threats. (Some of these options are unavailable if you're running Windows 10 in South manner.)
Business relationship protection - Access sign-in options and account settings, including Windows Hullo and dynamic lock.
Firewall & network protection - Manage firewall settings and monitor what's happening with your networks and net connections.
App & browser control - Update settings for Microsoft Defender SmartScreen to aid protect your device against potentially unsafe apps, files, sites, and downloads. Yous'll accept exploit protection and you can customize protection settings for your devices.
Device security - Review built-in security options to help protect your device from attacks by malicious software.
Device operation & wellness - View status info about your device's performance health, and keep your device clean and up to date with the latest version of Windows.
Family options - Keep track of your kids' online action and the devices in your household.

To customize how your device is protected with these Windows Security features select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security or select the button below.
Open Windows Security settings

Status icons indicate your level of prophylactic:

Greenish means there aren't whatsoever recommended actions right now.
Yellow ways in that location is a condom recommendation for you lot.
Red is a warning that something needs your immediate attending.

Run a malware scan manually

When you're concerned almost risks to a specific file or folder, yous can right-click the file or folder in File Explorer, and so select Scan with Microsoft Defender.

If you suspect at that place's malware or a virus on your device, y'all should immediately run a quick browse. This is much faster than running a full scan on all your files and folders.

Run a quick browse in Windows Security

Select First > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and soVirus & threat protection.
Open Windows Security settings
Under Current threats, select Quick browse (or in early versions of Windows x, under Threat history, select Scan at present).

If the scan doesn't find any issues, but you lot're still concerned, you may desire to check your device more thoroughly.

Run an advanced scan in Windows Security

SelectBeginning > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and thenVirus & threat protection.
Under Current threats, select Scan options (or in early versions of Windows 10, nether Threat history, select Run a new advanced scan).
Select one of the browse options:
- Full scan (check files and programs currently running on your device)
- Custom browse (scan specific files or folders)
- Microsoft Defender Offline browse (run this scan if your device has been, or could potentially be, infected by a virus or malware). Learn more nearly Microsoft Defender Offline
Select Scan at present.

Learn more about running an advanced browse

Notation:Because of streamlined security, this process isn't available if you're running Windows 10 or eleven in South mode.

Schedule your ain scan

Fifty-fifty though Windows Security is regularly scanning your device to go along it safe, y'all tin can too set when and how often the scans occur.

Schedule a browse

Select the Start button, type schedule tasks in the Search box, and in the listing of results, select Task Scheduler.
In the left pane, select the arrow (>) side by side to Task Scheduler Library to expand information technology, practise the same with Microsoft > Windows, so scroll down and select the Windows Defender folder.
In the top-centre pane, select Windows Defender Scheduled Scan. (Point to the choices to see the full names.)
In the Deportment pane on the right, ringlet downward and and then select Backdrop.
In the window that opens, select the Triggers tab, and then select New.
Fix your preferred fourth dimension and frequency, and so select OK.
Review the schedule and select OK.

Note:Considering of streamlined security, this process isn't available if you're running Windows 10 or xi in Southward mode.

Plow Microsoft Defender Antivirus existent-time protection on or off

Sometimes you lot may need to briefly stop running existent-time protection. While real-time protection is off, files you open or download won't be scanned for threats. However, real-time protection will shortly plough on automatically over again to protect your device.

Turn existent-time protection off temporarily

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and and soVirus & threat protection > Manage settings. (In early versions of Windows 10, select Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection settings.)
Open Windows Security settings
Switch the Existent-time protection setting to Off and choose Yep to verify.

Note:Because of streamlined security, this process isn't available if you're running Windows ten or 11 in South mode.

See too

How malware can infect your PC

Microsoft security help and learning

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