Support for Windows 7 is ending on January 14, 2020 We recommend you move to a Windows 10 PC to continue to receive security updates from Microsoft. Learn more.
Protection for your PC
Windows Defender is built into the latest versions of Windows and helps guard your PC against viruses and other malware.
For a PC running an older version of Windows 7, you can download Microsoft Security Essentials for the low, low price of free.
What's included
| Microsoft Security Essentials Windows 7 | Windows Defender Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, Windows 10 | |
| Real-time protection against spyware, viruses, rootkits, and other malicious software | X | X |
| Online system scanning and cleaning | X | X |
| Dynamic signature service | X | X |
| Offline system scanning and cleaning | X | X |
| Enhanced protection against rootkits and bootkits | X |
Windows Defender for Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows 10 provides built-in protection against malware. You can't use Microsoft Security Essentials, but you don't need to—Windows Defender is already included and ready to go.
If you’re looking to protect a PC with an older version of running Windows 7, you can use Microsoft Security Essentials to provide comprehensive malware protection that will help guard against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It provides free* real-time protection for your home or small business PCs.
Microsoft Security Essentials is available in many locales and languages. If it is not available in your preferred language, you can install it in any of the other languages listed here, and it will still work to help protect your PC.
- Choose your preferred locale or language from the list thatfollows.
- Choose your operating system to begin the download process.
If you need help finding which version of Windows you're running, see Is my PC running the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows?
Note: Windows Defender is also available in Windows 7. However, in Windows 7, Defender only provides protection against spyware. In Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows 10, Windows Defender provides full malware protection for your PC. Malware consists of viruses, spyware, and other potentially unwanted software.