Windows Defender: enable and disable, features, update. Why Windows won't update Defender - how to fix the problem Can't update Windows 7 Defender

Hello admin! After I upgraded Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 on my laptop, a dozen began to be actively updated and after each shutdown of the laptop, the message “Working with updates. Completed 100%. Do not turn off the computer ”and the laptop does not turn off for a long time, I am tired of it and I am. Everything is fine, but as an antivirus program I use Windows Defender, and its antivirus databases are updated through Windows Update, which I disabled, which means that the antivirus databases of the built-in antivirus in Win 10 do not receive updates. Tell me, how can I manually update Windows Defender? Can I download the update files for Windows Defender for Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 separately from somewhere?

How to manually (offline) update Windows 10's built-in Windows Defender antivirus

Hello friends! We all know that the free antivirus built into Windows 10 protects our operating system from various malware and receives virus signature updates every day via Windows Update.

If you turned off updates in Windows 10, it means that the built-in Windows Defender antivirus will also not be updated. Therefore, it is of great importance to keep Windows Update enabled so that Windows Defender receives updates in a timely manner.

If you have disabled Windows updates for any reason, you can update Windows Defender manually (offline), in today's article I will show you how you can do this.

In the Windows settings, select "Update and Security",

then Windows Defender and look at the subsystem version as well as antivirus definitions and antispyware definitions. After a manual update, the versions should change.

Left-click on the "Windows Search" button

and type "Windows Defender", then click on the appeared "Windows Defender" application,

Windows Defender antivirus window appears. We see that the definitions of viruses and spyware are very old.

Click on the "Update" button.

We press the button " Updating definitions».

Windows Defender anti-virus databases are being updated.

Antivirus has been updated.

Subsystem version, antivirus definitions and anti-spyware definitions have changed.

During the update process, you may receive an error - "Failed to update the definitions of viruses and spyware."

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/definitions

Updating anti-malware and anti-spyware software from Microsoft.

Scroll down to words ...

Updates to protect against malware and spyware.

We select the version of the operating system installed on our computer and its bit depth. In my case, this is Windows 10-64 bit.

A 120 MB file mpam-fe.exe with virus signature updates for Windows Defender is downloaded to my computer. I run this file as administrator.

The program does not open any window. Windows Defender updates in minutes. Now in Windows settings select "Update & Security" then "Windows Defender" and look subsystem version, and antivirus definitions and anti-spyware definitions... After a manual update, the versions should change.

Surely many users of the system from Microsoft have a question: do you need Windows 7 Defender? In order to answer, first it is worth considering what the built-in antivirus is responsible for and what functions.

Windows Defender Features

The main task of Windows Defender is to find and block malicious programs for the system and user files, spyware, viruses and rootkits. Built-in antivirus software provides real-time protection. Windows Defender 7 can also clean up suspicious programs from the system in one click.

The built-in program prevents system infection in two ways. In real time, it will help block the malicious application even before it launches. This method is very effective in neutralizing threats while surfing the Internet. The second method scans system and user files for threats. This check is performed automatically according to a specified schedule: when the computer is turned on and off, as well as at a certain time of the day. Naturally, it is also possible to manually start scanning the system or individual folders and files.

Effective duo

Usually, in parallel with the work of the built-in defender, Windows firewall is used, which will help to provide restriction of network access for unverified applications or programs specially selected by the user. The firewall has three access protection profiles:

• public - will provide the maximum level of traffic filtering and will be appropriate in places with free Wi-Fi connection (cafes, shopping centers, metro stations);
• worker - has less stringent filtering of transmitted information, since it is designed to work in a more reliable network;
• the home profile has the lowest level of data filtering, because, as a rule, there are only a few computers on the home network that do not pose a network threat.

Using Windows Firewall and Windows Defender together will provide the maximum level of protection for your system and user data.

System Updates

Of course, for the built-in protection to work correctly, you must remember to install the recommended Windows updates, which will provide up-to-date anti-virus databases and patches. The best option in terms of protection would be to configure automatic system updates. But on weak computers, this can lead to very unpleasant delays during the background installation of updates, and quite often you may need to reboot the OS, which will not be convenient at all, for example, when you urgently need to check your mail.

In order to prevent Windows from interrupting your work at the most important place, it is recommended that you choose to install updates on a schedule, which will allow you to carry out the process at a convenient time for you. It is also possible to configure a manual update of the system, but the user will have to remember to check for its availability from time to time.

Summing up

It is safe to say that the built-in antivirus will protect your computer from most threats if you follow the recommendations for its use. It will be a worthy free solution to the problem with viruses and ensure a safe Internet experience.

It should be noted that Windows 7 Defender, whose reviews are very worthy, cannot provide full protection without the above measures (firewall, updates). Many users still tend to paid protection systems, such as Nod 32, Kaspersky and others, but this solution is quite individual. Here, as they say, the taste and color ... If desired, Windows 7 Defender can be disabled or enabled at any time.

How do you turn on the defender?

If the user decided to stay on the protection built into the system from Microsoft, it is likely that a question might arise about how to enable Windows 7 Defender.

By standard, on a newly installed system, Windows 7 Defender is already running and is guarding the order. In the same case, if it was disabled for some reason, it is worth considering several options for activating it.

"Simple" option

The first option is the simplest, but, unfortunately, it is not always possible to use it due to the disabling of the service or system notifications. To implement it, you just need to move the pointer to the checkbox on the right side of the Quick Launch panel located at the bottom, and select the "Enable antivirus protection (important)" item.

After that, the antivirus should start and open a window with data on the status of your PC's protection.

Help Center Messages

If you have problems displaying the protection message, you should first try to enable system messages. To do this, right-click on the checkbox on the bottom panel and select "Open Support Center".

In the new window that opens, go to the Support Center Settings tab and check the Virus protection box.

After these actions, the required notification will appear in the Support Center.

Configuration via the System Configuration app

If the message is missing and Windows 7 Defender still does not start, it means that the antivirus service itself is disabled. In order to activate it, in the Windows search you need to type msconfig.exe and select the found application. By clicking on it, you can open the system configuration window. Selecting the "Services" tab in it, scroll down to the "Windows Defender Service" item and check the box on it.

Next, from the bottom click on the "Apply" button and restart your computer for the changes to take effect. If you need to deactivate Windows 7 Defender, how to disable it through "System Configuration" is described in the corresponding section below.

Configuring Using the Computer Management Menu

Also, the Windows 7 Defender application service can also be enabled through "control" (the option is recommended if, for some reason, the system configuration menu did not help). To do this, go to the control panel and select "Administrative Tools", then click on the shortcut labeled "Computer Management" and in the window that opens, find the list on the left. In it we select "services and applications", then "services", and a complete list of services is revealed to us.

As in the previous version, we are looking for the item "Windows Defender Service", right-click on it (RMB) and select the item "properties", where we press "start", and also select the start type "automatically".

By applying the settings and restarting the computer, the service will be enabled. The Windows 7 Defender application can both be disabled and enabled through this item.

If the above steps are performed correctly, a corresponding notification will appear in the Support Center, as a result of which you can successfully enable the antivirus. It is worth mentioning that all the actions performed are also relevant for Windows 8.

How to disable Windows 7 Defender?

If you decide to get rid of the Windows 7 Defender Antivirus application, how to disable it becomes the main task of the user. In fact, to deactivate, you need to do almost the same actions as to enable. The option to disable through the system configuration will differ from activation by just a tick - instead of installing it, you will need to remove it. And in case of disconnection through "control", in the properties you need to select the startup type not "Automatic", but "Disabled".

If your computer contains Windows 7 Defender, the following instruction will tell you how to disable it. The recommended option for disabling the built-in antivirus is to deactivate it through the defender settings menu itself. To do this, in the Windows search, type "Defender" and click on the result with a stone wall on the icon. Go to the "Options" menu, then to the "Administration" tab and uncheck the box next to the "Enable application".

By applying the settings, the defender will be completely disabled. In order to get rid of the annoying protection message in the notification center, in its settings you need to uncheck the "Virus protection" item. Windows Defender is now completely disabled. After that, of course, it is advisable to install an alternative antivirus.

Defender is an antivirus component preinstalled in the Windows 7 operating system. If you are using antivirus software from a third-party developer, then it makes sense to terminate the work of the Defender, since there is little practical use in its operation. But sometimes this component of the system is turned off without the knowledge of the user. Turning it back on is quite simple, but it is not always possible to think of it on your own. This article will consist of 3 ways to disable and enable Windows Defender. Let's get started!

Windows Defender is not a full-fledged antivirus program, therefore, it is incorrect to compare its capabilities with such mastodons of computer protection software development as Avast, Kaspersky and others. This component of the OS allows you to provide the simplest protection against viruses, but you cannot count on blocking and detecting any miner or a more serious threat to your computer's security. Defender can also conflict with other antivirus software, which is why this service component has to be disabled.

Let's say you are satisfied with the work of this antivirus program, but because of some recently installed program or as a result of setting up the computer by another person, it turned out to be disabled. No problem! As mentioned earlier, the instructions for resuming the work of the Defender will be indicated in this article.

Disable Windows 7 Defender

You can stop Windows Defender by turning it off through the interface of the Defender program itself, stopping the service responsible for its operation, or simply removing it from your computer using a special program. The latter method is especially useful if you have very little disk space and every megabyte of free disk space has value.

The easiest method to disable this component is in its settings.

1. We need to get to "Control Panel"... To do this, click on the button "Start" on the taskbar or on the button of the same name on the keyboard (engraving on the key Windows matches the pattern of the key "Start" in Windows 7 or later). On the right side of this menu, we find the button we need and click on it.

   

2. If the window "Control Panels" view view enabled "Category", then we need to change the view to "Small icons" or "Large icons"... This will make it easier to find the icon. Windows Defender.

   

   There is a button in the upper right corner of the content window. "View" and the installed view is indicated. Click on the link and choose one of the two views that are suitable for us.

   

3. Find the item Windows Defender and click on it once. The icons in the Control Panel are arranged chaotically, so you will have to look through the list of programs located there yourself.

   

4. In the opened window "Defender" on the top panel we find the button "Programs" and click on it. Then we press the button "Options".

   

5. In this menu, click on the line "Administrator", which is located at the very bottom of the left panel of options. Then uncheck the parameter "Use this program" and click on the button "Save", next to which a shield will be drawn. In Windows 7, a shield indicates actions that will be performed with administrator rights.

   

   After disabling the Defender, such a window should appear.

   

   Push Close... Done, Windows 7 Defender is disabled and shouldn't bother you from now on.

Method 2: Disable the service

This method will allow you to disable Windows Defender not in its settings themselves, but in the system configuration.

Method 3: Uninstall using a third-party program

Standard Add / Remove Programs will not allow you to uninstall a component built into the operating system, but Windows Defender Uninstaller is easy. If you decide to remove the built-in system tools, be sure to save important data for you to another drive, because the consequences of this process can seriously affect the further performance of the OS as a whole, up to the loss of all files on the drive with Windows 7 installed.

Enabling Windows 7 Defender

We will now look at methods to enable Windows Defender. In two of the three methods described below, we just need to check the box. We will do this in the Defender settings, system configuration and through the Administration program.

Method 1: Program settings

This method repeats almost all the instructions for disabling through the Defender settings, the only difference is that Defender itself will offer us to enable it as soon as it is launched.

We repeat the instruction "Method 1: Program settings" from 1 to 3 steps. A message from Windows Defender will appear, notifying us of its turned off state. Click on the active link.

After a while, the main antivirus window will open, displaying data about the last scan. This means that the antivirus has turned on and is completely ready to work.

Hello dear friends. Everyone, probably, at least once faced with “ Windows Defender". Today I will tell you what kind of "defender" is, what it is for, how it works and how to enable / disable it.

It is no secret that at present there are many different spyware and viruses that are aimed at controlling your computer from a distance. With the help of such programs, cybercriminals can find out your passwords, personal resources, and also steal important information. After that, they can enter a code into the computer that will finally destroy your operating system.

To prevent this from happening, for the safety of your computer, it is recommended to install antiviruses, activate the Windows firewall, which can reduce the risk of infection of your computer. The network, of course, is there for security, but it is not a fact that it can be real, that is, it will not harm your computer.

What is Windows Defender?

To put it briefly and clearly, this "defender" ensures the safety of your computer from the above-mentioned fraudulent programs. Unfortunately, there are some programs that the antivirus cannot detect. Therefore, this "defender" penetrates the program code of the malicious program. When Windows Defender finds such a program, it removes it.

From the moment you install and start Windows, Windows Defender will run in the background.

How do I open Windows Defender?

In order to open Windows Defender, follow these steps:

"Start" → enter the word " defender ».

What functions does the program have?

If you have already entered the program, then in the top tab you can see a certain menu for managing the program, which will be used to search for malicious programs, as well as other settings for managing the search and the program as a whole. You can configure the time and date for scheduled computer scans.

If you choose the menu " Validation options", The program will offer you three options:

1. Quick check ... This is the easiest and fastest option. It is installed on the computer as standard, by default. If enabled, the system files will be checked for virus files.
2. Full check ... In this case, all files on the hard drive are scanned, as well as RAM. The scan time will depend on how much your hard drive is filled with files.
3. Custom scan ... This point speaks for itself. The program scans the areas that you choose yourself.

For more adequate work of the program, it is necessary to update it periodically.

Also, in this program there is a so-called " Magazine". It contains all the actions that were performed by the program and actions applied to other, dangerous programs.

Tab “ Options»Allows you to control the scanning of your computer.

What if Windows Defender won't start? To do this, go to the "Start" menu and enter the word " Services ».

How do I disable Windows Defender?

In the event that your computer is installed Microsoft Security Essentials, Windows Defender will turn itself off.

How do I update Windows Defender?

There are two ways to update the program:

1. Through "Windows Update". In this case, the program will be updated automatically. But, for some users, automatic updates may be disabled, so a second option is needed.
2. The second option is quite simple, it starts from the moment you open the program. When you open it, you will see an inscription where you will be offered to update the program for further work.