Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Not to be confused with Windows Defender Security Center or Microsoft Anti-Virus.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus
Other namesWindows Defender
Original author(s)Microsoft
Developer(s)Microsoft
Stable release(s) [±]
PlatformAugust 2024 Update (4.18.24080.9) / 17 September 2024; 27 days ago (2024-09-17)[1]
Windows app102.2409.21001.0 / 25 September 2024; 19 days ago (2024-09-25)[2]
Operating system
PlatformWindows
PredecessorMicrosoft Security Essentials
TypeAntivirus software, personal firewall, parental control, intrusion prevention, email filtering and anti-phishing
LicenseProprietary

Microsoft Defender Antivirus (formerly Windows Defender) is an antivirus software component of Microsoft Windows. It was first released as a downloadable free anti-spyware program for Windows XP and was shipped with Windows Vista and Windows 7. It has evolved into a full antivirus program, replacing Microsoft Security Essentials in Windows 8 or later versions.[4]

In March 2019, Microsoft announced Microsoft Defender ATP for Mac for business customers to protect their Mac[5] devices from attacks on a corporate network, and a year later, to expand protection for mobile devices, it announced Microsoft Defender ATP for Android[6] and iOS[7] devices, which incorporates Microsoft SmartScreen, a firewall, and malware scanning. The mobile version of Microsoft Defender also includes a feature to block access to corporate data if it detects a malicious app is installed.

  1. ^ "Microsoft Defender Antivirus security intelligence and product updates". Microsoft Learn. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  2. ^ "Microsoft Defender". Microsoft Apps. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  3. ^ a b "Minimum requirements for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint". Microsoft Learn. Microsoft. 23 December 2022.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference digitalcit was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Announcing Microsoft Defender ATP for Mac". TECHCOMMUNITY.MICROSOFT.COM. 2019-03-21. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  6. ^ "Announcing Microsoft Defender ATP for Android". TECHCOMMUNITY.MICROSOFT.COM. 2020-06-23. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  7. ^ "Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on iOS is generally available". TECHCOMMUNITY.MICROSOFT.COM. 2020-12-07. Retrieved 2021-03-07.