Updated on September 22, 2022 This article explains when and how to reinstall Windows Defender through the command line or Settings app in Windows 11. How to Reinstall Windows Defender in Windows 11Windows Defender (aka, Microsoft Defender) isn't installed on your computer like a typical program, so you can't reinstall it like you can regular software. Instead, follow these directions to use a PowerShell command to get the job done. It might take anywhere from 5 seconds to a few minutes to complete. If you can open Settings normally, there's an easier method after these steps.
Another way to reset Windows Defender is through Settings. If Settings opens fine for you, you don't need to bother with a PowerShell command. Instead, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Windows Security > three dots > Advanced options > Reset. When to Reinstall Windows DefenderTechnically, you're not really reinstalling the program because Windows doesn't actually let you uninstall it. That said, you might run the above command to reset Windows Defender if it's just not working correctly. The most obvious sign you need to do this is if you see an error when you try to open it. If it's not opening as it should, and you see this message, the above command should fix it right away:
Or, maybe it does open, but some of its toggles won't turn on or off, or you can't even find a link to it on your computer. In these cases, the PowerShell command should refresh the tool back to working order. Windows Defender Might Just Be OffIt's possible that you've considered reinstalling Windows Defender because it isn't catching malware, when in reality, it's just not turned on. You might think it's been uninstalled or is broken, but really it's just disabled. This is completely possible since Windows 11 lets you turn off its built-in antivirus program if you'd rather not use it. Learn how to turn Windows Defender on and off for specific directions. FAQ
Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe How do I install Windows Defender on Windows 11?Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection. Under Virus & Threat Protection Settings, select Manage settings, then under Exclusions, select Add or remove exclusions.
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