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Turn on Microsoft Defender Antivirus to access company resources

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To ensure your device is secure while accessing work resources, your organization may require you to use Microsoft Defender Antivirus and other Windows Security features. Microsoft Defender Antivirus is an antivirus software that's included in Windows and can help protect your device from viruses, malware, and other threats.

This article describes how to update your device settings to meet your organization's antivirus requirements and resolve access problems on your enrolled device.

Turn on Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Complete the following steps to turn on Microsoft Defender Antivirus on your device.

  1. Select the Start menu.
  2. In the search bar, type group policy. Then select Edit group policy from the listed results. The Local Group Policy Editor opens.
  3. Select Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
  4. Scroll to the bottom of the list and select Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
  5. Select Disabled or Not configured. It might feel counter-intuitive to select these options because the names suggest that you're turning off Microsoft Defender Antivirus. Don't worry, these options actually ensure that it's turned on.
  6. Select Apply > OK.

Turn on real-time and cloud-delivered protection

Complete the following steps to turn on real-time and cloud-delivered protection. Together, these antivirus features protect you against spyware and can deliver fixes for malware issues via the cloud.

  1. Open the Windows Security app.
  2. Select Virus & threat protection.
  3. Under Virus & threat protection settings, select Manage settings.
  4. Flip each switch under Real-time protection and Cloud-delivered protection to turn them on.

If you don't see these options on your screen, they may be hidden. Complete the following steps to make them visible.

  1. Select the Start menu.
  2. In the search bar, type group policy. Then select Edit group policy from the listed results. The Local Group Policy Editor opens.
  3. Select Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Security > Virus and threat protection.
  4. Select Hide the Virus and threat protection area.
  5. Select Disabled > Apply > OK.

Update your antivirus definitions

Complete the following steps to update your antivirus definitions.

  1. Open the Windows Security app.
  2. Select Virus & threat protection.
  3. Under Virus & threat protection updates, select Protection updates.
  4. Select Check for updates. If you don't see this option on your screen, complete the first set of steps under Turn on real-time and cloud-delivered protection. Then try checking for updates again.

Next steps

Still need help? Contact your support person. To find your organization's contact information, sign in to the Company Portal website.