Windows Defender or Microsoft defender or Windows security is considered as the most important and must-have tool for Windows 10. Windows defender acts as an anti-malware or antivirus tool. This means it keeps your PC safe from numerous threats. This fantastic application is not a third-party application, i.e. you will get it preinstalled in your PC or laptop.
But we have got complain from so many users they can’t find this application on their home screen and they have to install third-party malware protection software. So, in this article, we will describe how to enable and use this preinstalled application.
Also Read: Top 10 Free Antivirus for Windows 10 in 2021
Where to Find and How to Open Windows Defender?
To use this application, first, you have to know how to open the Windows defender setting. The user interface is the same as the older versions of Windows. However, you will get three tabs; the home tab, the update tab, the history tab.
The home Tab shows you the device status and helps you in scanning, while the update tab allows you to update the Defender manually, and the history tab helps you to view the detected malware items. Also, we would like to mention some processes in the opening of this application.
1. From Windows Defender UI
You will get the Windows Defender setting panel from the UI itself. Press the Win+X menu, Open the control panel, and select Windows Defender.
2. From Setting App
Open setting app. Then click Update & security and security and then click on Windows Defender in the left panel.
3. Using Taskbar Search
This is the easiest method to open the Windows Defender setting panel. You just have to type the Defender in the Taskbar search box and click on the result. Then you will get Windows security.
So, you can follow any of these steps to open the Windows defender setting.
How to Check if the Application is Running?
Now, here a common misunderstanding happens that, sometimes this Defender is on and it is running in the background, but you think it is off. In such a case, you have to check whether the defender is on or off. To do so, take a look at the notifications area along the taskbar.
You should find a small icon that looks like a castle wall. It may happen that the icon has been hidden from view. You need to click the upwards-pointing arrow, which will expand the icon tray. Now you can see all the running apps.
You will see the Windows Defender app in the tray, no matter what it is on or off. If this is off, the icon will appear with a cross (×) in the tray. If the Defender is on, it will appear without the cross. Also, if the application is on, you need not take any step.
How to Turn on the Windows Defender?
So, now to turn on the Windows Defender on your PC, follow the below-mentioned steps:
Step 1: At first, click on the Start menu or the start screen. Type defender into the search bar or press the Win key+Q to launch the search bar. Then write ‘Defender’ in the search box. Windows defender will appear in the list. Click on it to open the application.
Step 2: A pop-up message may appear which may include “this application has been turned off and isn’t monitoring your computer”. If it comes, search for “Action Centre” in the Start menu and click on it to launch.
Step 3: In the Action Centre, click on the Security tab to see which program is taking responsibility for Spyware and unwanted software protection. If you want to replace that anti-spyware suite with Windows Defender, you first have to uninstall that software.
Step 4: Now when you have uninstalled the existing spyware or antivirus program, type ‘Defender’ into the start menu again to open the program. If it is not enabled, you will receive a message which will tell you “click here to turn it on”. You can enable the defender after clicking on the link of that message.
Step 5: If your Defender is out of date, you can’t use that without updating. When it is out of date, Windows will provide you with a link to update the application itself. Click on the update link and wait for it to update.
Step 6: When the Defender gets the update; you will get the notification for installing. Install the application, and it is ready to protect your device.
Also Read: 10 Ways to Protect Your Computer from Hackers
How to Use Windows Defender?
You can also use “Windows Defender” offline. Launch the app from settings. Scroll down, and you can see the option defender offline. Click on the offline scan button, and it will start scaling your device even without any internet connection. The total scanning process takes 15 minutes to complete.
Conclusion
The process of enabling and use of defenders is so simple. We have mentioned it in detail in this article. You don’t need any third-party application to secure your device.
