Windows computers come with a built-in program to guard against viruses and malware. Microsoft Defender or Windows Security is a security software that offers an unified interface for managing the firewall, antivirus, and performance features. It also allows you to assess the condition of your device and protect your data by using encryption on the hardware and password management. Third-party antivirus software disables the Microsoft Defender Antivirus Engine, however, it does not impact Windows Security.
Microsoft Defender’s real-time protection is one of the most important features of Windows Security. This feature scans the entire system, blocking and identifying malware in real-time as it runs, and can identify and restore malicious programs that it’s mistakenly blocked. Microsoft Defender relies on cloud-based and online malware definitions. This can make it slower than other paid competitors in terms of virus and malware detection.
Other settings accessible from Windows Security include User Account Control which will alert you when someone or something attempts to alter the settings of the system or settings, and locks the screen until an administrator can confirm the change. It also allows you to determine how often the center will run a background scan as well as look for updates.
You can also make backups of important files from the Microsoft OneDrive folder using Windows Security, and you can use it to safely erase your hard drive and start with a new one. It’s an easy way to protect your computer’s operating system and personal information.