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How To Use Microsoft Defender Antivirus?

Having a secure system is a must for any business or individual. Protecting your system from malicious programs and viruses is a key step towards ensuring your system remains secure. Microsoft Defender Antivirus is an antivirus software developed by Microsoft that helps protect your system from the most common online threats. In this article, we will explain how to use Microsoft Defender Antivirus and the benefits it offers.

How to Use Microsoft Defender Antivirus?

What is Microsoft Defender Antivirus?

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is a comprehensive security solution that helps protect Windows 10 PCs from viruses, malware, spyware, ransomware, and other malicious software. It is included with the Windows 10 operating system and can be used to protect your device from threats. Microsoft Defender Antivirus uses real-time protection to detect and remove threats from your device. It also provides proactive protection to help keep your device safe from emerging threats.

How to Use Microsoft Defender Antivirus?

Using Microsoft Defender Antivirus is easy and straightforward. Here are the steps to get started:

Step 1: Enable Real-Time Protection

The first step is to enable real-time protection. This will ensure that your device is constantly being monitored and protected from malicious software. To enable real-time protection, open Windows Defender Security Center and click “Virus & threat protection”. Then, click “Turn on real-time protection”.

Step 2: Perform Regular Scans

Microsoft Defender Antivirus includes a number of different scan options. You can schedule scans to run at regular intervals, or you can run an on-demand scan at any time. To schedule a scan, open Windows Defender Security Center and click “Virus & threat protection”. Then, click “Schedule a scan” and select the type of scan you want to perform.

Step 3: Update Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is constantly updated with the latest threat definitions. To ensure that you have the latest protection, you should update the software regularly. To update Microsoft Defender Antivirus, open Windows Defender Security Center and click “Virus & threat protection”. Then, click “Check for updates” and wait for the update to complete.

Step 4: Manage Exclusions

Sometimes, you may want to exclude certain items from being scanned by Microsoft Defender Antivirus. This can be useful if you want to prevent false positives or if you want to improve scan performance. To manage exclusions, open Windows Defender Security Center and click “Virus & threat protection”. Then, click “Manage exclusions” and add the items you want to exclude.

Step 5: Use Windows Firewall

Microsoft Defender Antivirus works with Windows Firewall to help protect your device from network-based threats. To ensure that Windows Firewall is enabled, open Windows Defender Security Center and click “Virus & threat protection”. Then, click “Windows Firewall” and make sure it is turned on.

Step 6: Use Controlled Folder Access

Controlled folder access is a feature of Microsoft Defender Antivirus that helps protect your device from ransomware. To enable controlled folder access, open Windows Defender Security Center and click “Virus & threat protection”. Then, click “Manage Controlled folder access” and turn it on.

Step 7: Use Exploit Protection

Exploit protection is a feature of Microsoft Defender Antivirus that helps protect your device from exploits. To enable exploit protection, open Windows Defender Security Center and click “Virus & threat protection”. Then, click “Manage Exploit protection settings” and turn it on.

Step 8: Use Application Guard

Application Guard is a feature of Microsoft Defender Antivirus that helps protect your device from malicious websites and applications. To enable Application Guard, open Windows Defender Security Center and click “Virus & threat protection”. Then, click “Manage Application Guard settings” and turn it on.

Step 9: Use Attack Surface Reduction

Attack surface reduction is a feature of Microsoft Defender Antivirus that helps reduce the risk of malicious attacks. To enable attack surface reduction, open Windows Defender Security Center and click “Virus & threat protection”. Then, click “Manage Attack surface reduction rules” and turn it on.

Step 10: Monitor Your Device

The best way to ensure that your device is safe is to monitor it regularly. To monitor your device, open Windows Defender Security Center and click “Virus & threat protection”. Then, click “Device performance & health” and review the information.

Related Faq

What is Microsoft Defender Antivirus?

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is a free anti-virus software developed by Microsoft for Windows 10. It is designed to protect your device from malicious software, spyware, and other threats. It is an integrated part of Windows 10, so it is always up-to-date and can provide real-time protection against online threats.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is part of the Windows Defender Security Center, which helps you manage your security settings and provide alerts when potential threats are detected. With Windows Defender Security Center, you can also monitor your system performance and identify potential problems.

How to use Microsoft Defender Antivirus?

Using Microsoft Defender Antivirus is simple and straightforward. To get started, open the Windows Defender Security Center by clicking the Start menu and then selecting the Security option. From here, you can access the Microsoft Defender Antivirus settings.

To turn on Microsoft Defender Antivirus, select the “Virus & threat protection” option and then click the “Real-time protection” slider to switch it on. You can also configure other settings such as scheduled scans, cloud-based protection, and more. Once you’ve configured the settings, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will start protecting your device from malicious software.

What types of threats does Microsoft Defender Antivirus protect against?

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is designed to protect against a wide range of malicious software, including viruses, spyware, ransomware, rootkits, and other threats. It also provides protection against phishing and malicious websites. Additionally, it can detect and remove malicious software that might be installed on your device.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus also provides cloud-based protection, which scans files that are stored in the cloud and alerts you if any malicious content is detected. This helps protect you from threats that might not be detected by traditional antivirus software.

Is Microsoft Defender Antivirus suitable for business use?

Yes, Microsoft Defender Antivirus is suitable for business use. It provides comprehensive protection against malicious software and other threats, and it is designed to be easily integrated with other Windows security solutions. Additionally, it can be configured to scan files stored in the cloud, which helps protect against threats that might not be detected by traditional antivirus software.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is also simple to use and configure, and it can be managed remotely using Windows Defender Security Center. This makes it an ideal choice for businesses that need a reliable and easy-to-use security solution.

Does Microsoft Defender Antivirus work with other antivirus software?

Yes, Microsoft Defender Antivirus is designed to work alongside other antivirus software. It is designed to be compatible with other Windows security products, and it can be configured to scan files stored in the cloud. Additionally, it can detect and remove malicious software that might be installed on your device.

However, it is important to note that Microsoft Defender Antivirus should not be used as a replacement for other antivirus software. It should be used as an additional layer of security, as no single security solution can protect against all types of threats.

What is the Windows Defender Security Center?

The Windows Defender Security Center is a unified control panel for managing the security of your Windows 10 device. It provides access to the settings for Microsoft Defender Antivirus, as well as other security solutions such as Windows Firewall, Windows Update, and Windows Defender Exploit Guard.

The Windows Defender Security Center also provides access to reports and alerts, so you can monitor the security of your device. It can also help you identify potential problems, such as out-of-date software or weak passwords. With the Windows Defender Security Center, you can easily manage your security settings and ensure that your device is protected from threats.

How to Use Windows Defender in Windows 10 (Creators Update)

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is an effective antivirus tool that should be incorporated into your security software suite. It is lightweight and ensures your computer is protected from a wide range of malicious software, while also reducing system slow-downs and other performance issues. With Microsoft Defender Antivirus, you can rest assured that your computer is protected and running at optimal speeds.