How to manually replace Microsoft Defender
It’s crucial to maintain Microsoft Defender updated even when Windows Update isn’t working. Here are a number of strategies to manually replace Defender.
Microsoft Defender is the built-in anti-malware bundle that’s included with fashionable Windows working methods. It’s alternatively often called Windows Security (it exhibits up beneath Settings as Windows Security) or Windows Defender (typically with Antivirus on the finish of the identify, as on this Microsoft Docs web page). But no matter you wish to name it, for a lot of Windows customers, this instrument is the go-to default for dealing with safety on their PCs.
As with Windows Update basically, typically Microsoft Defender updates might not work. Normally, Defender updates are dealt with as a part of routine Windows replace habits, run each day as a scheduled activity. But typically, Windows Update itself runs into issues and doesn’t do a lot (or something).
Should this occur, there are different methods to maintain Defender up to date, sidestepping any points strictly associated to Windows Update itself. (See the notice at finish of story for extra recommendation on this matter.)
1. Use Microsoft Defender’s personal replace facility
Within the Settings app, you’ll be able to entry a Windows Security facility with this choice sequence: Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security in Windows 10 or Start > Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security in Windows 11. There you’ll discover a button labeled “Open Windows Security” as proven in Figure 1. Alternatively, you’ll be able to open the app straight by typing “Windows Security” into the Start menu.
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