There’s a specific Microsoft web page for Defender updates titled “Microsoft Defender Update for Windows Operating System Installation Images”, which mentions there are three components to the Defender environment, all of which need regular updates.

This allows you to check what version number you have in the signature, or security intelligence version.ģ.

To check your protection, click “Virus & Threat Protection” in Windows Security, accessed as above, then scroll to “Virus & Threat Protection Updates” and click on “Protection Updates”. It works in both Windows 10 and 11, and though it doesn’t look like it does much in PowerShell, it does update Defender. It’s a simple, basic syntax for the command by just typing the command name in PowerShell. Using PowerShell, you can use a command to update the security definitions or signatures for Defender. Update Defender Signatures Under Update-MpSignature Fortunately, there’s another way to force a Microsoft Defender update, which we’ll cover next.Ģ. If Windows Update is stuck, it may work, or it may not. If they’re available, they’ll be downloaded and installed. Click the “Check for Updates” link at the bottom to start Defender checking for any available updates.

Click this procedure and look for the “Virus & Threat Protection Updates” at the bottom. The app has several entries, including “Virus & Threat Protection”. You can also open it directly by putting “Windows Security” in your Start menu. You’ll find a button that says “Open Windows Security”. Under the Settings app, you can get into Windows Security facilities by selecting Start>Settings>Update & Security>Windows Security when using Windows 10, swapping out for Privacy & Security in Windows 11 for the third step. They’re usually a part of regular Windows updates, but if it’s not working for you, there are other ways to update Defender.ġ. However, as with general Windows Update runs, sometimes the Defender updates don’t work. Alternately known as Windows Security, it’s the go-to tool for PC security. Online security is more important than ever, and given the prevalence of Windows operating systems, knowing how to update Microsoft Defender, the built-in anti-malware package included with modern Windows operating systems, is vital to your security plans.

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