Turning off Windows Firewall could make your device more vulnerable to unauthorized access. If there's an app you need to use that's being blocked, you can allow it through the firewall, instead of turning the firewall off.

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.

Provides links to the uninstall tools and directions for many security programs.

Troubleshoots and fixes common issues with security and malware prevention in Windows.

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.

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.

Real-time protection is a feature in the Windows Security app that continuously monitors your device for potential threats such as viruses, malware, and spyware. This feature ensures that your device is actively protected by scanning files and programs as they are accessed or executed.

Learn about the Windows Security app and some of the most common tools you can use.

Download the Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2 offline installer package now. The hotfix has been superseded with the latest updates of .NET Framework, which contain all fixes that were previously included in the hotfix. It is recommended to install the latest updates of .NET Framework.

Using this tool will reinstall the current version of Windows on your device. This tool preserves all your apps, documents, and settings. Make sure to keep your PC connected to a power source and the internet during reinstallation. The reinstall will take you to the Windows Update page in Settings.