Download. What it fixes. Checks the following Windows security features and enables them if needed. Phishing Filter or Smartscreen Filter. User Account Control (UAC) Data Execution Prevention (DEP) Windows Firewall. Antivirus protection status and updates. Runs on. Windows 7. Windows 8.1. Windows 10. See also. Stay protected with Windows Security.

The sfc /scannow command will scan all protected system files, and replace corrupted files with a cached copy that is located in a compressed folder at %WinDir% \System32\dllcache. The %WinDir% placeholder represents the Windows operating system folder. For example, C:\Windows.

Under Privacy & security , select Virus & threat protection. Under Virus & threat protection settings, select Manage settings, and then under Exclusions, select Add or remove exclusions. Select Add an exclusion, and then select from files, folders, file types, or process. A folder exclusion will apply to all subfolders within the folder as well.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is a powerful tool that finds and removes malware from your PC. Here's how to use it in Windows 10 or 11 to scan your PC. Important: Before you use Microsoft Defender Offline, make sure to save any open files and close apps and programs. Open your Windows Security settings.

Windows 10. Potentially unwanted applications (PUA) are a category of software that can cause your machine to run slowly, display unexpected ads, or at worst, install other software which may be more harmful or annoying. Windows Security has reputation-based protection that can help protect your PC from potentially unwanted applications.

Launch the Microsoft Store app. Click Library. Click Get Updates. Click Update or Update All with the results that have been returned. Once you have your Xbox app for PC updated to 2311.1001.7.0 or newer, you can run the Gaming Services Repair Tool with these steps: Launch the Xbox app for PC. Click your Profile picture. Click on Support.

Use Virus & threat protection settings when you want to customize your level of protection, send sample files to Microsoft, exclude trusted files and folders from repeated scanning, or temporarily turn off your protection. Manage your real-time protection. Want to stop running real-time protection for a short while?

The Protection History page in the Windows Security app is where you can go to view actions that Microsoft Defender Antivirus has taken on your behalf, Potentially Unwanted Apps that have been removed, or key services that are turned off. Note: Protection History only retains events for two weeks, after which they'll disappear from this page.

Security Windows 10 Windows 11. Windows 10 and 11 include Windows Security, which provides the latest antivirus protection. Your device will be actively protected from the moment you start Windows. Windows Security continually scans for malware ( mal icious soft ware ), viruses, and security threats.

In your Microsoft account: Open a web browser on another device. Go to https://account.microsoft.com/devices/recoverykey to find your recovery key. Tip: You can sign into your Microsoft account on any device with internet access, such as a smartphone. It should look something like this: