Back up and restore with Windows Backup - Microsoft Support
Windows Backup is an easy, single stop for all of your backup needs.
Uninstall or remove apps and programs in Windows
There are different ways to remove apps and programs, so if you can't find the one you're looking for, you can try another location. Note that some apps and programs are built into Windows and can't be uninstalled. You can try to repair a program first, if it's just not running correctly.
List of security program cleanup and uninstall tools
After you identify the security programs that are installed on the computer or have been partially removed from the computer, you can use a cleanup tool or instructions from the security program manufacturer to completely remove the program.
Remove specific prevalent malware with Windows Malicious Software ...
Use this tool to find and remove specific prevalent threats and reverse the changes that they made (see Covered malware families). For comprehensive malware detection and removal, consider using Windows Defender Offline or Microsoft Safety Scanner.
Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed
After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11. Learn more. Note: Use these steps for Windows programs.
Configure Startup Applications in Windows - Microsoft Support
Learn how to optimize system performance by managing startup applications in Windows.
How to start a scan for viruses or malware in Microsoft Defender
Here's how to do that on Windows, Mac, or Android.
Applies To:
Microsoft Defender on Android, Microsoft Defender on Mac, Microsoft Defender on Windows
Backup, restore, and recovery in Windows - Microsoft Support
Windows Backup allows you to back up a wide range of items, including files, themes, settings, installed apps, and Wi-Fi information. This feature is designed to make it easier for users to transition to a new device by restoring their backed-up data seamlessly. To use Windows Backup, you need to sign in with your Microsoft account.
Recovery Drive - Microsoft Support
Creating a recovery media is a proactive measure to ensure that you can quickly and efficiently restore your system in case of major issues such as hardware failure. This media can be used for bare metal recovery on the device it was created for, ensuring a smooth and efficient restoration process.
Windows Security app update - Microsoft Support
This update provides the latest updates for the Windows Security platform. The platform is composed of the Windows Security app and its underlying service. To obtain the current version of Windows Security app, please run the following PowerShell command: Get-AppPackage Microsoft.SecHealthUI. Manually download the update. 64-Bit | ARM64.