How do I check if Windows Defender is running?

There are a few different methods that can be used to check if Windows Defender is running. It is important to keep in mind that Windows Defender is included in Windows 10 and Windows 8, but not in Windows 7 and earlier.

The first method is to open the Task Manager, which can be done by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc at the same time. Once you have opened the Task Manager, click on the “Processes” tab and scroll down to where it says “Antimalware Service Executable.” If this is listed as a running process, then it means that Windows Defender is running.

The second method is to open the Control Panel. To do this, press the Windows key, type in “Control Panel,” and then select it from the list of results. Once you are in the Control Panel, click on “System and Security” and then click on “Security and Maintenance.” Under “Security and Maintenance,” there will be an option for “Virus Protection,” which is essentially Windows Defender. If you click on this option, you should see a message that reads “Windows Defender is on.”

The third method is to use the Command Prompt. To open the Command Prompt, press the Windows key and then type in “cmd.” Right-click on the “Command Prompt” result and then select “Run as administrator.” Once you are in the Command Prompt, type in “sc query windefend” and then press Enter. If Windows Defender is running, you should see a message that reads “STATE : 4 RUNNING.”

Finally, you can also use the Settings app to check if Windows Defender is running. To open the Settings app, press the Windows key and then type in “Settings.” Once you are in the Settings app, click on “Update & Security” and then click on “Windows Security.” Under “Windows Security,” make sure you are on the “Overview” tab and then look for the “Virus & threat protection” section. If you see a message that reads “Protection is on”, then Windows Defender is running.

In summary, there are several methods that can be used to check if Windows Defender is running. The first method is to open the Task Manager and look for the “Antimalware Service Executable” process. The second method is to open the Control Panel and look for the “Virus Protection” option. The third method is to use the Command Prompt and type in “sc query windefend.” Finally, the fourth method is to use the Settings app to check if Windows Defender is running.