How to Enable Windows Defender in Windows 10?
Are you having trouble enabling Windows Defender on your Windows 10 computer? Don’t worry – you’re not alone! Many users find it difficult to turn on the built-in security tool on their Windows 10 system. Fortunately, enabling Windows Defender on Windows 10 isn’t as complicated as it may seem. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps you need to take to enable Windows Defender on your Windows 10 computer. So, if you’re ready to learn how to enable Windows Defender on Windows 10, let’s get started!
1. Open Windows Settings by pressing the Windows Key + I.
2. Select Update & Security.
3. Click Windows Security in the left-hand menu.
4. Select Open Windows Defender Security Center from the options.
5. Click the shield icon in the Windows Defender Security Center window.
6. Enable the toggle switch next to Real-Time Protection, Cloud-Delivered Protection, and Automatic Sample Submission.
Introduction to Windows Defender
Windows Defender is a built-in security application developed by Microsoft to protect Windows 10 devices from malicious software. It helps protect your computer against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software by scanning for and removing known threats from your computer. It also provides real-time protection from threats and can alert you if there is a potential risk to your system.
Windows Defender is installed and enabled by default on Windows 10, but if you have disabled it for some reason, you can re-enable it. In this article, we will show you how to enable Windows Defender in Windows 10.
Enabling Windows Defender in Windows 10
The first step to enabling Windows Defender in Windows 10 is to make sure it is installed and enabled. To do this, open the Settings app by pressing the Windows+I keyboard shortcut.
In the Settings app, navigate to Update & Security > Windows Security. On the Windows Security page, click on the “Virus & threat protection” tab. Here, you should see a “Windows Defender” toggle switch. Make sure this switch is in the “On” position.
Using the Command Prompt
If you prefer using the Command Prompt, you can also enable Windows Defender using the following command:
REG ADD "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /v DisableAntiSpyware /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Once you have run the command, you can verify that Windows Defender is enabled by running the following command:
REG QUERY "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /v DisableAntiSpyware
Using Group Policy Editor
You can also enable Windows Defender using the Group Policy Editor. To do this, open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows+R keyboard shortcut and then type gpedit.msc and hit Enter.
In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender Antivirus. On the right side, double-click on the “Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus” policy and then select the “Disabled” option.
Using PowerShell
You can also enable Windows Defender using PowerShell. To do this, open the PowerShell window as an administrator and then type the following command:
Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring 0
This command will enable Windows Defender and you should see a message saying “Windows Defender Real-time Protection is On”.
Using Third-Party Software
If you are using a third-party antivirus software, you may need to disable it in order to enable Windows Defender. Most antivirus software offer an option to disable or uninstall it, so make sure to check the documentation for your software.
Checking Windows Defender Status
Once you have enabled Windows Defender, you can check its status by opening the Windows Security app and navigating to the “Virus & threat protection” tab. Here, you should see a message saying “Windows Defender is on”.
You can also double-check the status of Windows Defender by running the following command in the Command Prompt:
REG QUERY "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /v DisableAntiSpyware
If the output of the command says “0x00000000 (0)”, it means that Windows Defender is enabled.
Top 6 Frequently Asked Questions
What is Windows Defender?
Windows Defender is a built-in security feature of the Windows 10 operating system. It is designed to protect your computer from internet threats such as malware, viruses, and other malicious software. It also provides real-time protection against online threats, such as phishing and other malicious web sites and activities.
How do I enable Windows Defender in Windows 10?
You can enable Windows Defender in Windows 10 by going to the Windows Security window in the Settings app. Once there, you will select “Virus & threat protection” and then click “Turn on real-time protection.” You will then see a toggle switch that you can slide to enable Windows Defender. You may also need to enable the “Cloud-delivered protection” and “Automatic sample submission” features as well.
What happens if I disable Windows Defender in Windows 10?
If you disable Windows Defender in Windows 10, you will no longer receive real-time protection from the built-in security feature. This means that your computer will be vulnerable to internet threats such as malware, viruses, and other malicious software. It is strongly recommended that you keep Windows Defender enabled for the best protection for your computer.
How can I tell if Windows Defender is enabled in Windows 10?
You can easily check if Windows Defender is enabled in Windows 10 by going to the Windows Security window in the Settings app. Once there, you should see a toggle switch next to “Real-time protection.” If the toggle switch is turned on, then Windows Defender is enabled.
What other security features are available in Windows 10?
In addition to Windows Defender, Windows 10 also provides other security features to help protect your computer. These include Windows Firewall, Windows Hello, Windows Defender SmartScreen, and Windows Defender Application Guard. You can find more information about these features by going to the Windows Security window in the Settings app.
What should I do if Windows Defender is not working in Windows 10?
If Windows Defender is not working in Windows 10, you should first check to make sure that it is enabled. If it is enabled, then you can try running the Windows Defender Troubleshooter. This can be found by going to the Windows Security window in the Settings app and selecting “Troubleshoot.” You can also try restarting your computer, running a full system scan, and updating your virus definitions as well.
How to Enable Windows Defender in Windows 10 – Turn on Windows Defender
In conclusion, enabling Windows Defender in Windows 10 is a straightforward process and one that should be done as soon as possible for optimal security. With just a few clicks of your mouse, you can easily and quickly take advantage of the powerful protection provided by the built-in Windows Defender.
