Chapter 27: How to use Windows Defender in Windows 11

Windows Defender, now known as Microsoft Defender, is a security application built into the Windows 11 operating system that offers real-time protection against various threats, including malware, ransomware, and phishing. This chapter will guide you through the process of using Microsoft Defender on Windows 11.

1. Accessing Microsoft Defender

To access Microsoft Defender, you first need to open the Control Panel. Click the 'Start' button in the bottom left corner of the screen and type 'Control Panel' in the search bar. Then click on the Control Panel app in the search results. In Control Panel, click 'System and Security' and then 'Windows Security'.

2. Checking real-time protection

One of the main features of Microsoft Defender is real-time protection. This feature continuously scans your computer to detect any suspicious or malicious activity. To check if real-time protection is enabled, click 'Virus and threat settings' in the left pane of the Windows Security menu. Make sure 'Real-time protection' is enabled. If not, click the toggle to activate it.

3. Performing a check

Microsoft Defender allows you to perform three types of scans: quick, full and custom. The quick scan only checks the most vulnerable areas of your system, while the full scan checks your entire system. Custom Scan allows you to choose which specific files or folders you want to scan.

To perform a scan, click 'Quick scan' for a quick scan, 'Full scan' for a full scan, or 'Custom scan' for a custom scan. Then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the verification.

4. Dealing with detected threats

If Microsoft Defender detects any threat during the scan, it will notify you and quarantine the threat. To view detected threats, click 'Protection history' in the left pane of the Windows Security menu. Here, you can view details about detected threats and take actions, such as allowing the threat (if you believe it is a false positive) or removing the threat.

5. Updating Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Defender is regularly updated to stay up to date with the latest threats. To check for updates, click 'Security Updates' in the left pane of the Windows Security menu. Then click 'Check for updates' to check for available updates. If there are, follow the on-screen instructions to install the updates.

It's important to remember that while Microsoft Defender is a powerful security tool, it's not foolproof. Therefore, it is important to maintain good security habits, such as not opening suspicious email attachments and not visiting untrustworthy websites. Additionally, it is recommended to have a reliable backup solution for your important files in case the worst happens.

We hope this chapter has given you a clear understanding of how to use Microsoft Defender in Windows 11. In the next chapter, we will explore more Windows 11 features that can help improve your productivity and user experience.