Microsoft Defender Antivirus security intelligence and product updates

Article
03/15/2023
10 minutes to read

Applies to:

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plans 1 and 2
Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Platforms

Windows

Keeping Microsoft Defender Antivirus up to date is critical to assure your devices have the latest technology and features needed to protect against new malware and attack techniques. Make sure to update your antivirus protection, even if Microsoft Defender Antivirus is running in passive mode. There are two types of updates related to keeping Microsoft Defender Antivirus up to date:

Security intelligence updates
Product updates

Tip

To see the most current engine, platform, and signature date, visit the Security intelligence updates for Microsoft Defender Antivirus and other Microsoft antimalware

Security intelligence updates

Microsoft Defender Antivirus uses cloud-delivered protection (also called the Microsoft Advanced Protection Service, or MAPS) and periodically downloads dynamic security intelligence updates to provide more protection. These dynamic updates don't take the place of regular security intelligence updates via security intelligence update KB2267602.

Note

Updates are released under the following KBs:

Microsoft Defender Antivirus: KB2267602
System Center Endpoint Protection: KB2461484

Cloud-delivered protection is always on and requires an active connection to the Internet to function. Security intelligence updates occur on a scheduled cadence (configurable via policy). For more information, see Use Microsoft cloud-provided protection in Microsoft Defender Antivirus.

For a list of recent security intelligence updates, see Security intelligence updates for Microsoft Defender Antivirus and other Microsoft antimalware.

Engine updates are included with security intelligence updates and are released on a monthly cadence.

Product updates

Microsoft Defender Antivirus requires monthly updates (KB4052623) known as platform updates.

You can manage the distribution of updates through one of the following methods:

Windows Server Update Service (WSUS)
Microsoft Configuration Manager
The usual methods you use to deploy Microsoft and Windows updates to endpoints in your network.

For more information, see Manage the sources for Microsoft Defender Antivirus protection updates.

Note

Monthly updates are released in phases, resulting in multiple packages visible in your Window Server Update Services.
This article lists changes that are included in the broad release channel. See the latest broad channel release here.
To learn more about the gradual rollout process, and to see more information about the next release, see Manage the gradual rollout process for Microsoft Defender updates.
To learn more about security intelligence updates, see Security intelligence updates for Microsoft Defender Antivirus and other Microsoft antimalware.
If you're looking for a list of Microsoft Defender processes, download the mde-urls workbook, and then select the Microsoft Defender Processes worksheet. The mde-urls workbook also lists the services and their associated URLs that your network must be able to connect to, as described in Enable access to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint service URLs in the proxy server.
Platform updates can be temporarily postponed if other protection features (such as Endpoint DLP or Device Control) are actively monitoring running processes. Platform updates will be retried after a reboot or when all monitored services are stopped.

Monthly platform and engine versions

All our updates contain

Performance improvements
Serviceability improvements
Integration improvements (Cloud, Microsoft 365 Defender)

February-2023 (Platform: 4.18.2302.7 | Engine: 1.1.20100.6)

Security intelligence update version: 1.385.68.0
Release date: March 27, 2023
Platform: 4.18.2302.7
Engine: 1.1.20100.6
Support phase: Security and Critical Updates

What's new

Fixed attack surface reduction (ASR) rule output with Get-MpPreference
Fixed threat DefaultAction outputs in Get-MpPreference
Improved Defender performance during file copy operations for .NET applications
Fixed Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management app block warn feature
Added opt-in feature to allow users seeing exclusions
Fixed ASR warn policy
Increased maximum size for quarantine archive file to 4 GB
Improvements to threat remediation logic
Improved tamper protection hardening for temporary exclusions
Fixed time zone calculation in Defender PowerShell module
Fixed merging logic for exclusions in Defender PowerShell module
Improvements in the contextual exclusions syntax
Improved scheduled scan robustness
Improved serviceability for internal database files
Enhanced certificate indicators determination logic
Enhanced memory usage

Known Issues

None

January-2023 (Platform: 4.18.2301.6 | Engine: 1.1.20000.2)

Security intelligence update version: 1.383.26.0
Release date: February 14, 2023
Platform: 4.18.2301.6
Engine: 1.1.20000.2
Support phase: Security and Critical Updates

What's new

Improved ASR rule processing logic
Updated Sense token hardening
Improved Defender CSP module update channel logic

Known Issues

None

November-2022 (Platform: 4.18.2211.5 | Engine: 1.1.19900.2)

Security intelligence update version: 1.381.144.0
Release date: December 8, 2022
Platform: 4.18.2211.5
Engine: 1.1.19900.2

What's new

Enhanced threat protection capabilities
Improved tamper protection capabilities
Enhanced enabling of tamper protection for newly onboarded devices
Improved reporting for cloud protection
Improved controlled folder access notifications
Improved scanning of network shares
Enhanced processing of host files containing a wild card
Improved performance for scan events

Known Issues

None

Previous version updates: Technical upgrade support only

After a new package version is released, support for the previous two versions is reduced to technical support only. For more information about previous versions, see Microsoft Defender Antivirus updates: Previous versions for technical upgrade support.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus platform support

Platform and engine updates are provided on a monthly cadence. To be fully supported, keep current with the latest platform updates. Our support structure is dynamic, evolving into two phases depending on the availability of the latest platform version:

Security and Critical Updates servicing phase - When running the latest platform version, you're eligible to receive both Security and Critical updates to the anti-malware platform.
Technical Support (Only) phase - After a new platform version is released, support for older versions (N-2) will reduce to technical support only. Platform versions older than N-2 are no longer supported.*

* Technical support continues to be provided for upgrades from the Windows 10 release version (see Platform version included with Windows 10 releases) to the latest platform version.

During the technical support (only) phase, commercially reasonable support incidents are provided through Microsoft Customer Service & Support and Microsoft's managed support offerings (such as Premier Support). If a support incident requires escalation to development for further guidance, requires a nonsecurity update, or requires a security update, customers are asked to upgrade to the latest platform version or an intermediate update (*).

Note

If you are manually deploying Microsoft Defender Antivirus Platform Update, or if you are using a script or a non-Microsoft management product to deploy Microsoft Defender Antivirus Platform Update, make sure that version 4.18.2001.10 is installed from the Microsoft Update Catalog before the latest version of Platform Update (N-2) is installed.

How to roll back an update

In the unfortunate event that you encounter issues after a platform update, you can roll back to the previous or the inbox version of the Microsoft Defender platform.

To roll back to the previous version, run the following command:

"%programdata%\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\<version>\MpCmdRun.exe" -RevertPlatform
To roll back this update to the version shipped with the Operating System ("%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender")

"%programdata%\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\<version>\MpCmdRun.exe" -ResetPlatform

Platform version included with Windows 10 releases

The below table provides the Microsoft Defender Antivirus platform and engine versions that are shipped with the latest Windows 10 releases:

Windows 10 release	Platform version	Engine version	Support phase
2004 (20H1/20H2)	`4.18.1909.6`	`1.1.17000.2`	Technical upgrade support (only)
1909 (19H2)	`4.18.1902.5`	`1.1.16700.3`	Technical upgrade support (only)
1903 (19H1)	`4.18.1902.5`	`1.1.15600.4`	Technical upgrade support (only)
1809 (RS5)	`4.18.1807.5`	`1.1.15000.2`	Technical upgrade support (only)
1803 (RS4)	`4.13.17134.1`	`1.1.14600.4`	Technical upgrade support (only)
1709 (RS3)	`4.12.16299.15`	`1.1.14104.0`	Technical upgrade support (only)
1703 (RS2)	`4.11.15603.2`	`1.1.13504.0`	Technical upgrade support (only)
1607 (RS1)	`4.10.14393.3683`	`1.1.12805.0`	Technical upgrade support (only)

For Windows 10 release information, see the Windows lifecycle fact sheet.

Updates for Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)

We recommend updating your Windows 10 (Enterprise, Pro, and Home editions), Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2012 R2 OS installation images with the latest antivirus and antimalware updates. Keeping your OS installation images up to date helps avoid a gap in protection.

For more information, see Microsoft Defender update for Windows operating system installation images.

20230308.1

Defender package version: 20230308.1
Security intelligence version: 1.383.1321.0
Engine version: 1.1.20000.2
Platform version: 4.18.2301.6

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

20230215.1

Defender package version: 20230215.1
Security intelligence version: 1.383.51.0
Engine version: 1.1.20000.2
Platform version: 4.18.2301.6

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

20230118.1

Defender package version: 20230118.1
Security intelligence version: 1.381.2404.0
Engine version: 1.1.19900.2
Platform version: 4.18.2211.5

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

20221209.1

Defender package version: 20221209.1
Security intelligence version: 1.381.144.0
Engine version: 1.1.19900.2
Platform version: 4.18.2211.5

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

20221102.3

Defender package version: 20221102.3
Security intelligence version: 1.377.1180.0
Engine version: 1.1.19700.3
Platform version: 4.18.2210.4

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

20221014.1

Package version: 20221014.1
Platform version: 4.18.2209.7
Engine version: 1.1.19700.3
Signature version: 1.373.208.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

20220929.1

Package version: 20220929.1
Platform version: 4.18.2207.7
Engine version: 1.1.19600.3
Signature version: 1.373.1243.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

20220925.2

Package version: 20220925.2
Platform version: 4.18.2207.7
Engine version: 1.1.19600.3
Signature version: 1.373.1371.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

20220901.4

Package version: 20220901.4
Platform version: 4.18.2205.7
Engine version: 1.1.19500.2
Signature version: 1.373.1371.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

20220802.1

Package version: 20220802.1
Platform version: 4.18.2205.7
Engine version: 1.1.19400.3
Signature version: 1.371.1205.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

20220629.5

Package version: 20220629.5
Platform version: 4.18.2205.7
Engine version: 1.1.19300.2
Signature version: 1.369.220.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

20220603.3

Package version: 20220603.3
Platform version: 4.18.2203.5
Engine version: 1.1.19200.6
Signature version: 1.367.1009.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

20220506.6

Package version: 20220506.6
Platform version: 4.18.2203.5
Engine version: 1.1.19200.5
Signature version: 1.363.1436.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

20220321.1

Package version: 20220321.1
Platform version: 4.18.2202.4
Engine version: 1.1.19000.8
Signature version: 1.351.337.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

20220305.1

Package version: 20220305.1
Platform version: 4.18.2201.10
Engine version: 1.1.18900.3
Signature version: 1.359.1405.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

20220203.1

Package version: 20220203.1
Platform version: 4.18.2111.5
Engine version: 1.1.18900.2
Signature version: 1.357.32.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

20220105.1

Package version: 20220105.1
Platform version: 4.18.2111.5
Engine version: 1.1.18800.4
Signature version: 1.355.1482.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

1.1.2112.01

Package version: 1.1.2112.01
Platform version: 4.18.2110.6
Engine version: 1.1.18700.4
Signature version: 1.353.2283.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

1.1.2111.02

Package version: 1.1.2111.02
Platform version: 4.18.2110.6
Engine version: 1.1.18700.4
Signature version: 1.353.613.0

Fixes

Fixed an issue pertaining to localization files

Additional information

None

1.1.2110.01

Package version: 1.1.2110.01
Platform version: 4.18.2109.6
Engine version: 1.1.18500.10
Signature version: 1.349.2103.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

1.1.2109.01

Package version: 1.1.2109.01
Platform version: 4.18.2107.4
Engine version: 1.1.18400.5
Signature version: 1.347.891.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

1.1.2108.01

Package version: 1.1.2108.01
Platform version: 4.18.2107.4
Engine version: 1.1.18300.4
Signature version: 1.343.2244.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

1.1.2107.02

Package version: 1.1.2107.02
Platform version: 4.18.2105.5
Engine version: 1.1.18300.4
Signature version: 1.343.658.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

1.1.2106.01

Package version: 1.1.2106.01
Platform version: 4.18.2104.14
Engine version: 1.1.18100.6
Signature version: 1.339.1923.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

1.1.2105.01

Package version: 1.1.2105.01
Platform version: 4.18.2103.7
Engine version: 1.1.18100.6
Signature version: 1.339.42.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

1.1.2104.01

Package version: 1.1.2104.01
Platform version: 4.18.2102.4
Engine version: 1.1.18000.5
Signature version: 1.335.232.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

1.1.2103.01

Package version: 1.1.2103.01
Platform version: 4.18.2101.9
Engine version: 1.1.17800.5
Signature version: 1.331.2302.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

1.1.2102.03

Package version: 1.1.2102.03
Platform version: 4.18.2011.6
Engine version: 1.1.17800.5
Signature version: 1.331.174.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

1.1.2101.02

Package version: 1.1.2101.02
Platform version: 4.18.2011.6
Engine version: 1.1.17700.4
Signature version: 1.329.1796.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

1.1.2012.01

Package version: 1.1.2012.01
Platform version: 4.18.2010.7
Engine version: 1.1.17600.5
Signature version: 1.327.1991.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

1.1.2011.02

Package version: 1.1.2011.02
Platform version: 4.18.2010.7
Engine version: 1.1.17600.5
Signature version: 1.327.658.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

Refreshed Microsoft Defender Antivirus signatures

1.1.2011.01

Package version: 1.1.2011.01
Platform version: 4.18.2009.7
Engine version: 1.1.17600.5
Signature version: 1.327.344.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

None

1.1.2009.10

Package version: 1.1.2011.01
Platform version: 4.18.2008.9
Engine version: 1.1.17400.5
Signature version: 1.327.2216.0

Fixes

None

Additional information

Added support for Windows 10 RS1 or later OS install images.

More resources

Article	Description
Microsoft Defender update for Windows operating system installation images	Review antimalware update packages for your OS installation images (WIM and VHD files). Get Microsoft Defender Antivirus updates for Windows 10 (Enterprise, Pro, and Home editions), Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2022, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2012 R2 installation images.
Manage how protection updates are downloaded and applied	Protection updates can be delivered through many sources.
Manage when protection updates should be downloaded and applied	You can schedule when protection updates should be downloaded.
Manage updates for endpoints that are out of date	If an endpoint misses an update or scheduled scan, you can force an update or scan the next time a user signs in.
Manage event-based forced updates	You can set protection updates to be downloaded at startup or after certain cloud-delivered protection events.
Manage updates for mobile devices and virtual machines (VMs)	You can specify settings, such as whether updates should occur on battery power that 's especially useful for mobile devices and virtual machines.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint update for EDR Sensor	You can update the EDR sensor (MsSense.exe) that's included in the new Microsoft Defender for Endpoint unified solution package released in 2021.

Tip

If you're looking for Antivirus related information for other platforms, see: