Windows Defender is a built-in antivirus program that comes preloaded on Microsoft Windows computers. It is designed to detect, block and clean up malicious software such as viruses, trojans, adware, spyware and more.
The easiest way to access Windows Defender on your computer is through the Control Panel. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Open the Start menu by clicking the Windows logo in the bottom left corner of the screen.
2. Type “Control Panel” into the search box and select the appropriate item from the results list.
3. Click on System and Security in the Control Panel window.
4. Click on the heading labelled “Checking your computer security” in the Security and Maintenance section.
5. Select Windows Defender in the Programs and Features section.
Once you have opened Windows Defender, you can check for threats and other malicious software, configure settings and view information about your computer’s security status. You can also update Windows Defender with the latest virus definitions and malware protection from the Windows Update feature.
From the Windows Defender main window, you can choose to scan your computer for viruses and other threats, turn protection on or off, view the history of detected items, or edit the quarantined items. You can also change the advanced settings of Windows Defender to customize it according to your needs.
If you need to access Windows Defender on a tablet, you can find it in the Settings app. Just tap on the Gear icon to open the device settings and then select the Update & Security option. You will now see the Windows Defender options.
You can also access Windows Defender from the taskbar. Just click the up arrow near the clock in the lower-right corner of the screen and select the Shield icon from the pop-up window. This will open the Windows Defender Security Center where you can manage your antivirus programs and view the security of your computer.
Another way to access Windows Defender is from the File Explorer. Just open the File Explorer window and select the View tab. Then scroll down and select Options. From the Folder Options window, select the View tab and scroll down to check the Show hidden files, folder and drives option. Now you should be able to see the ProgramData folder which contains all the files related to Windows Defender.
No matter which method you choose to access Windows Defender on your computer, you will be able to protect your system from any malicious software that may be lurking.