Introduction
This article discusses how to update the Malware Protection Engine. The article provides details about prerequisites, restart requirements, removal information, and how to verify that the updates were installed correctly. The information in this article applies to the following products:
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Microsoft System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection
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Microsoft System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection Service Pack 1
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Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
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Microsoft Security Essentials
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Windows Defender Antivirus
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Microsoft Antimalware for Azure
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Windows Defender Offline
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Microsoft Intune Endpoint Protection
For more information about the affected software, go to the following Microsoft Advisory webpage:
More information
Windows Defender antivirus
Restart requirement
This update does not require a restart. The installer stops the required services, applies the update, and then restarts the services. However, if the required services cannot be stopped for any reason, or if required files are being used, this update will require a restart. If this behavior occurs, you receive a message that advises you to restart. For more information about why you may be prompted to restart your computer, see the following Knowledge Base article:
887012 Why you may be prompted to restart your computer after you install a security update on a Windows-based computer
Removal information
This update can be uninstalled.
Verification of the update installation
To verify that the update was applied to an affected system, follow these steps:
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Open the Windows Security program. For example, type Security in the Search bar, and select the Windows Security program.
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In the navigation pane, select Virus & threat protection.
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Under Virus & threat protection updates in the main window, select Check for updates
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Select Check for updates again.
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In the navigation pane, select Settings, and then select About.
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Examine the Engine Version number. The update was successfully installed if the Malware Protection Engine version number or the signature package version number matches or exceeds the version number that you are trying to verify as installed.
Microsoft Antimalware for Azure
Restart requirement
This update does not require a restart. The installer stops the required services, applies the update, and then restarts the services. However, if the required services cannot be stopped for any reason, or if required files are being used, this update will require a restart. If this behavior occurs, you receive a message that advises you to restart. For more information about why you may be prompted to restart your computer, see the following Knowledge Base article:
887012 Why you may be prompted to restart your computer after you install a security update on a Windows-based computer
Removal information
This update cannot be uninstalled.
Verification of the update installation
To verify that the update was applied to an affected system, follow these steps:
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Open the malware protection program that you are using.
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Select Help, and then select About Microsoft Endpoint Protection
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Examine the Engine Version number. The update was successfully installed if the Malware Protection Engine version number or the signature package version number matches or exceeds the version number that you are trying to verify as installed.
