Windows Defender is a built-in anti-malware solution which is included in all versions of Windows from Windows Vista and higher. It is designed to detect and eliminate malware, including viruses, rootkits, and spyware. It protects the computer from malicious code and can be used to scan for threats on demand. As a result, it is important to understand on which operating systems Windows Defender runs.
Windows Defender runs on all versions of Windows since Windows Vista and higher, including Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 (and also Windows Server 2008, 2012 and 2016). It is also available on Windows XP, but it must be manually installed and it is not automatically updated.
In addition to the various Windows operating systems, Windows Defender is also available for macOS, Android and iOS devices. On macOS and iOS, it is known as Microsoft Security Essentials, while on Android it is known as Microsoft Defender Security Center. These versions provide similar protection as their Windows counterparts and are designed to protect users from malicious code, phishing attempts, and other cyber threats.
Windows Defender can also be enabled on Linux machines through a third-party application such as ClamAV. This application can be downloaded from various sources and provides the same protection as Windows Defender.
Overall, Windows Defender is a powerful anti-malware solution which is available on all major operating systems. It is an effective way to detect and eliminate malicious code, protecting computers and other devices from harm.