Windows Defender is a built-in security utility for Windows computers and is included in Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10. It is designed to detect and remove malicious software (malware) from your computer and protect it from potential threats.
To check if Windows Defender is running, you can do the following:
1. In the Task Manager:
Open the Task Manager by using the Task Manager shortcut keys (Ctrl + Shift + Esc). Look for “MsMpEng.exe” in the list of running processes. If you see it, that means that Windows Defender is running.
2. In Control Panel:
Open the Control Panel and go to the Programs & Features section. Search for Windows Defender and check the program’s status. If it’s enabled, then Windows Defender is up and running.
3. In the Action Center:
Go to the Action Center by typing “action” in the Start menu search box. Click on “Security” and there should be an option to check if Windows Defender is on or off.
4. In the System Tray:
Look in the system tray (bottom-right corner of the taskbar). If you see the Windows Defender icon (a white shield with green checkmark), that means Windows Defender is running.
These are the four different ways to check if Windows Defender is running on your computer. If you have any other questions about Windows Defender, feel free to ask us in the comments below.