

It was first released as a downloadable free anti-spyware program for Windows XP and was shipped with Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus (formerly Windows Defender) is an antivirus software component of Microsoft Windows. Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 or later Īntivirus software, personal firewall, parental control, intrusion prevention, email filtering and anti-phishing.Could someone confirm this for us? Share your advice and experiences in the discussion below. Apparently, Windows 7 and 8 can now run Windows Defender Offline the same way we do in Windows 10. In the past, for versions of Windows prior to Windows 10, you would have to create a bootable USB flash drive, CD-ROM, or DVD to run Windows Defender Offline, but the Microsoft support website doesn’t include the download for that application anymore. If any malware is found, you will be asked if you want to remove it, which you probably should. The scan will likely take anywhere from just a few minutes to somewhere around 15 minutes–it just depends on your system. Instead Windows Defender will scan your system for malware. Windows 10 will indeed restart, but not straight into the operating system. Your PC will automatically restart, so save all your work and close any other open applications. Be forewarned: There is no Are You Sure? dialog after you click that button. Figure BĬlick or tap the Scan Offline button to start the process. Scroll down the page until you reach the Windows Defender Offline section, shown in Figure B. Figure AĬlick the Update & Security app and then click the Windows Defender item in the navigation window. You should be looking at the screen shown in Figure A.

Type settings in the Cortana search box or say “settings” if she is listening and click the Settings app, which should be the first search result. Here’s how to turn on Windows Defender Offline and have it scan your PC outside the Windows 10 operating system. It is fairly easy to do, but not many people know it is an option because it is buried deep in the settings. To remove the more clever and devious malware, like rootkits, out in the wild you may have to run Windows Defender in offline mode. It is called Windows Defender.īut sometimes, malware can outsmart Windows Defender by hiding within Windows while the operating system is running. Fortunately, every PC running Windows 10 has at least one application trying to protect it from the pain and suffering of a malware infection. When it comes to your personal computer, few things are more insidious than malware. You can thwart those malicious plans by running Windows Defender in offline mode. Some malware is really good at hiding itself. How to remove pesky malware from your PC with Windows Defender Offline
