Generally speaking, Windows Defender will automatically protect your system unless you either manually disable it or install a different security suite. Tried numerous ways to get them to install (MPCMDRUN commands, downloading the direct installer from etc.). It's worth upgrading to the latest version of your operating system to avoid having to deal with these legacy interfaces. Close some programs and try again, or search Help and Support for information about preventing low memory problems. Note: You can also access every other Windows Security Center function using this method - simply click 'Turn on' displayed under each tool to enable them.įollowing recent updates, the above process is the same across Windows 10 and Windows 11, however on certain older versions of Windows 10 you may find that the old UI presents itself. Click the toggle button for each function to turn them on.Scroll down to 'Virus & threat protection settings'.Click the 'Virus and threat protection' tool listed under 'Security at a glance' If your computer hasn’t installed other anti-virus software, you’d better turn on Microsoft Defender in Windows 11.Click 'Turn on' under 'Virus and threat protection'.

Click the Start menu and type 'windows security' into the search bar.

Windows 11 microsoft defender