Windows Defender (Beta 2) Guide

Windows Defender Installation

Installing Windows Defender is a quick and easy process. After ensuring that your system meets minimum system requirements, follow the installation instructions below.

Top of page

System Requirements

To install Windows Defender, your system must meet the minimum requirements listed below.

Top of page

Installing Windows Defender

After ensuring that minimum system requirements are met, you are ready to install the application.

To install Windows Defender:

1. Download Windows Defender from https://www.microsoft.com/windowsdefender.
2. In the Download dialog box, click Run or double-click the WindowsDefender.msi file to start the install process.
3. Read the Install Wizard Welcome screen, and then click Next.
4. Read the licensing agreement and either:
   1. Choose to accept the terms of the agreement to continue installing, and then click Next.
   2. Do not choose to accept the terms of the agreement, and then click Cancel.
5. Configure Defender’s defenses by selecting either:
   1. Use recommended settings, and then click Next.
   2. Install definition updates only, and then click Next.
   3. Ask me later, and then click Next.
6. Choose the setup type by selecting either:
   1. Complete, and then click Next.
   2. Custom, and then click Next. Selecting custom allows you to choose the features that you want to install as well as where you install the application. Microsoft recommends using the default installation folder, but if you want to change it, click Change and follow the instructions. When satisfied with the custom settings, click Next to continue.
7. You are now ready to install Windows Defender. Click Install to begin.
8. A final installation wizard screen will announce when the installation is complete. The Check for updated definitions and run a quick scan now check box is selected by default to run a scan when exiting the Installation wizard. Click Finish to exit the Installation wizard.

Top of page

Opening the Windows Defender Interface

The Installation wizard installs Windows Defender as a Windows service. As a service, Windows Defender protects you from the moment you start your computer, even when not logged on. In addition, it protects all users, including users that are not administrators. The service runs silently in the background to provide you with real-time protection even when the user interface is closed. To control the service and change the general settings, you must open the user interface.

To open Windows Defender:

• Click the Start button, and then point to All Programs. Click Windows Defender.

Top of page

Configuring Windows Defender

Windows Defender will install preconfigured with the most typical user settings for simplification. Advanced users can modify these default settings at any time in the General Settings. The General Settings include:

• Automatic scanning
• Default actions
• Real-time protection options
• Advanced options
• Administrator options

To modify Windows Defender configuration options:

1. Click the Tools button, and then click General Settings.
2. Select your desired settings, and then click Save.

Top of page

The Home page is the first screen that appears when Windows Defender starts. It provides access to the most commonly used features and displays critical summary information as seen in Figure 5 below.

Figure 5 – Windows Defender Home Page

Windows Defender Feature Access

On the upper left side of the screen, there is a toolbar that provides access to Windows Defender functionality. The toolbar has a forward arrow, a back arrow, and five buttons that enable navigation through the various features. The buttons provide access to the most important functionality, including:

• Home. The Home button returns you to the Home page.
• Scan. The Scan button performs a quick scan. By clicking the Scan arrow, you have the option of starting a quick scan, full scan, or a custom scan.
• History. The History button provides access to the History page. The History page also provides access to the Quarantined Items and Allowed Items pages.
• Tools. The Tools button provides access to the Tools page. The Tools page also provides access to the General Settings, Quarantined items, Allowed Items, Microsoft SpyNet, and Software Explorer screens, as well as the Windows Defender Web site.
• Help. The Help button launches Windows Defender help. By clicking the Help arrow, you can view help contents, help search, Windows Defender privacy statement, about Windows Defender, or exit the application.

Message Center

The message center located in the middle of the screen displays Windows Defender status messages. If Windows Defender requires your attention, a warning appears for each item that needs your attention. When Windows Defender discovers spyware, a warning appears listing all items that require an action. The warning allows you to remove all, or look at each threat independently.

The Status Area

The Status area occupies the bottom of the screen and provides a quick view of your computer’s spyware status. The list of status items in the status area includes:

• Last Scan. This item shows the last time Windows Defender ran a spyware scan and the type of scan. In order to minimize spyware intrusion, manually run a spyware scan weekly or use the automatic scanning option.
• Scan Schedule. This item shows the automatic scanning configuration from your general settings. The default configuration is to scan daily at 2:00 A.M.
• Real-time Protection. This item shows the real-time protection status. This provides continuous spyware protection by guarding against spyware that attempts to install on your computer.
• Spyware Signatures. This item provides the current spyware definitions’ version, creation date and time.