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How to Enable Microsoft Defender

How to enable Microsoft Defender on your Windows PC

Lockwell Support avatar
Written by Lockwell Support
Updated over 10 months ago

What is Microsoft Defender for PC?

Microsoft Defender Antivirus (formerly known as Windows Defender) is a built-in free anti-malware program included with Windows 11 that protects the computer from viruses and malware.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is renamed to Windows Security app in the newer releases of Windows 10 and Windows 11.

How to Enable Microsoft Defender

Have an open security issue to enable Microsoft Defender? After enabling Defender:

  1. Navigate to a new page in the desktop app & wait a few seconds.

  2. Navigate back to the dashboard page. If Defender is enabled, Lockwell will close the issue.

  1. Open the Start menu by clicking the Windows Icon.

  2. Search for & open Windows Security.

  3. Click Virus & threat protection.

  4. Click Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings

  5. Make sure Real-time protection is ON.

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