Updating Windows Defender is an important part of maintaining the security of your computer. Microsoft releases regular updates for Windows Defender to keep it updated with the latest definitions and protection from new threats.
There are two different ways to update Windows Defender depending on which version of Windows you’re using:
For Windows 10:
1. Open the Start Menu and type “Windows Defender.”
2. Select the Windows Defender Security Center option from the list of results.
3. Click the “Virus & threat protection” option in the center of the window.
4. Click the “Scan now” button to check for any available updates.
5. If any updates are found, click the “Download and Install Now” button to begin the update process.
For Windows 7, 8, and 8.1:
1. Open the Start Menu and type “Update.”
2. Select the Windows Update option from the list of results.
3. In the left-hand pane, click the “Check for updates” link.
4. Select the “Microsoft Windows Defender Definition Updates” option from the list of available updates and click “Install” to begin the update process.
Once the update has been installed, you can check that the version of Windows Defender on your computer is up to date by navigating to the “Virus & threat protection” area within the Windows Defender Security Center (as described above). Here you will find a message confirming that Windows Defender is up to date
You can also check which version of the definition update is installed on your computer by clicking the “Check for Definition Updates” link in the Virus & threat protection window. This will open a window with information about the current version of the virus and spyware definitions that are installed on your computer.
It’s important to note that Windows Defender runs automatically in the background and will usually update itself with the latest definitions when they are released. However, it’s still a good idea to manually check for updates every once in a while to ensure that your computer is always protected from the latest threats.