Windows Defender Updates: How to download & Install using PowerShell, manually, and automatically?

how to update Microsoft Windows Defender

Windows Defender updates (or Microsoft Defender updates) are the regular updates released by Microsoft to keep the software up to date with the latest features and to keep bugs at bay. These updates are crucial in keeping your endpoints protected and improving the functionalities and user experience.

Owing to the exponential increase in vulnerabilities and ransomware attacks, data security in today's world is a must. 2023 witnessed a massive rise in the number of vulnerabilities - over 29,000. This alarming spike in vulnerabilities and malware resonates with the glaring need to be on top of your system's security. The prerequisites to fortify the network against such attacks are to update Windows Defender and to timely patch the vulnerabilities.

Importance of Windows Defender update

Microsoft Defender (formerly Windows Defender) is an anti-malware tool by Microsoft that protects your endpoints from data theft, viruses, malware, and so on. Furthermore, it serves to protect your systems by scanning for spyware, and unauthorized software and removing them from the systems. Initially, Windows Defender was launched with the Windows Vista installation pack but is now available as a free download with Microsoft Security Essentials.

That being said, it is imperative to update Windows Defender regularly to ensure that the systems have the latest security updates and features to fend off malware, spyware, and other software that can pose a security risk.

How to download Windows Defender updates?

If you're a Microsoft 365 Family or Personal user, the good news is that Microsoft Defender (formerly Windows Defender) is already available as a part of it, without any extra subscription fee. To download the Windows Defender updates, you can follow any of the methods below:

Windows Defender update (Manual Installation)

You can install Windows Defender update manually in two ways:

How to manually update Windows Defender definition updates using the Standard method?

    • You can manually update Windows Defender by downloading the latest security intelligence update for Microsoft Defender from the official vendor site.
    • To update Windows Defender manually, you'll have to first find out whether you're using a 32-bit or a 64-bit version of Windows 7/8.1/10.
    • The next step is to download the installer files of the Windows version that you're using. You can download them here:
    • Scroll down to the Manually download the update section and click on the downloadable EXE to install Windows Defender definitions (refer to the screenshot below).
    • Download the latest security intelligence update for Microsoft Defender
    • Follow the prompts given by the installation wizard to update the Windows Defender.
    • This is how you can manually install Windows Defender.

    How to update Windows Defender definition updates using Windows PowerShell?

    • To install Windows Defender manually using Windows PowerShell, press 'Win Key + Q' and type 'Windows PowerShell'. Right-click on it and choose 'Run as administrator'.
    • Enter the credentials, once prompted.
    • First, type 'cd..' and press the 'Enter' key. Then type 'cd..' again and press the 'Enter' key.
    • Type PS C:\> Update-MpSignature and press the 'Enter' key to update definitions.
    • If you wish to update the source of the definition, replace the command mentioned above with PS C:\> Update-MpSignature -UpdateSource MicrosoftUpdateServer

    Note: The update sources that can be used are InternalDefinitionUpdateServer and Microsoft Malware Protection Center (MMPC).

    Automatic installation of Windows Defender updates

    It is undoubtedly tedious to update Windows Defender and other antiviruses frequently from the vendor site. Moreover, frequent manual downloads consume quite a lot of internet bandwidth.

    With a patch management tool like Patch Manager Plus you can easily automate the Windows Defender update across your systems and keep track of the latest security intelligence update that is being released now and then. By leveraging the Automate Patch Deployment (APD) functionality in Patch Manager Plus, you devise and schedule policies and windows for the Windows Defender update download automatically.

    To configure the Windows Defender definition updates automatically, follow the steps given below:

    • On the Patch Manager Plus console, navigate to Admin -> Deployment Settings -> Automate Patch Deployment
    • Click on Automate Task and choose the platform as Windows
    • Enter a suitable name for the APD task that you're creating using the edit option.
    • The first step of creating this task is to Select Applications. Under Anti-virus Updates select the Definition Update checkbox. On selecting this box, you'll be provided with the latest Windows Defender definition updates and the latest security intelligence update.

    • Note: Patch Manager Plus supports the following Definition Updates - Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Defender x64, McAfee Endpoint Security, Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 Server Management, Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 Server Management x64, Microsoft Forefront Client Security, Microsoft Forefront Client Security x64, Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft Security Essentials x64.

    • The second step of this APD task is to choose the deployment policy wherein you can select the existing deployment policy or create a new one. So here you can configure the frequency and the preferred day for deployment to happen.
    • The third step is where you can specify the target computers on which you want the deployment to happen.
    • The final step is configuring notifications so that you'll be notified about the APD task. After providing your e-mail address and selecting the required options, click on Save.

    So this is how you can automatically update Windows Defender definitions. To know about how to create an Automate Patch Deployment task in detail to install Windows Defender automatically, refer to this help page

    .

    Install Windows Defender update using the Control Panel

    Another way of installing Windows Defender Definitions is through the Control Panel. The steps to be followed are given below:

    • Press the Win key + R -> Type Control Panel -> Click on OK.
    • Once the Control Panel is opened, click on System and Security -> Administrative Tools -> Task Scheduler
    • In the Task Scheduler, towards the right under Actions click on Create Basic Task
    • This will open the Create Basic Task Wizard. Enter a suitable name and description and click on Next
    • Choose how often you want this task to run from the options listed there and click on Next
    • You can set the Start and End time of this task and then click on Next
    • Choose the option Start a program.
      Type C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe in the Program box. This executable file helps in performing tasks like scanning and updating the Windows Defender definitions.
    • Once you've entered the details and chosen all the required options, click on Finish

    Hence, the scheduled task will happen on the specified days and times that you've set. So this is how you can install the updates of Windows Defender definitions through the Control Panel.

    Windows Defender End-of-life

    Microsoft Defender (formerly Windows Defender) is set to reach its end-of-life for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. This is in line with the end of support for the latest Windows 10 version (22H2), which is also scheduled to retire on October 14, 2025.

    FAQs

    1) Can I download Windows Defender for free?

    Microsoft Defender (formerly Windows Defender) is already available as a part of Microsoft 365 Family and Personal subscription, free of cost, without any extra subscription fee.

    2) How to download Windows Defender?

    If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, Windows Defender will automatically be installed in the system, along with other apps. On the other hand, if you are using other versions of Office, you can navigate to the Microsoft store and download Windows Defender.

    3) How to perform Microsoft Windows Defender update download for Windows 11?

    Microsoft Defender (Windows Defender) comes pre-installed in Windows 11. If you want to download the latest Microsoft Defender update, you can refer to this link.