Yes, Windows Defender runs in the background.
The Windows Defender service automatically activates when your PC starts up, making sure that you always have full protection from malware and other security threats. It also runs silently in the background so you don’t even know it’s there – until it finds an issue.
Windows Defender monitors all areas of your computer including incoming and outgoing emails as well as everything you download from the internet. It looks out for any suspicious activity or programs that could be potentially damaging to your system and blocks them. If it detects a problem, it will alert you with a notification. Defender will then work to get rid of the threat so you can continue working without any worries.
In addition to this, Windows Defender uses cloud-based protection to detect threats quickly and stay up to date on the latest virus definitions. This ensures that your device is protected from the most recent, as well as the more sophisticated, malicious programs.
In order to make sure that Windows Defender is running in the background and your computer has the most current versions of the malware definitions, you’ll need to ensure that your computer is connected to the internet. This may mean turning off certain settings such as metered connections if you’re using mobile data instead of WiFi.
Windows Defender can also be manually updated. This can be done either through the Windows Update tab or manually by downloading the latest definitions and installing them on your computer.
Finally, you can use the Windows Defender Security Center to manage your antivirus and firewall settings, as well as check the status of your protection. This is a great way to make sure the Windows Defender service is running in the background and active at all times.
When enabled and monitored properly, Windows Defender can provide your device with powerful, real-time protection from all sorts of malicious threats, without needing extra input from you. With its silent, seamless protection, you can rest assured that your PC is always protected.