Windows Defender is a built-in antivirus software that comes pre-installed with Windows 11. It is designed to protect your computer from various threats, including malware, viruses, and spyware.
However, in some cases, users may find that Windows Defender is missing on their Windows 11 computer, leaving them vulnerable to potential security risks.
If you are facing this issue, don’t worry; you can use several expert solutions to fix the problem. This article will discuss some of the most effective ways to troubleshoot and resolve the Windows Defender missing on Windows 11.
Why is my Windows Defender missing?
Here is a list of possible reasons why your Windows Defender is missing.
- Third-party antivirus software: Multiple antivirus programs running simultaneously can cause conflicts and performance issues.
- Disabled by Group Policy: If the Group Policy settings on your computer have disabled Windows Defender, it may be missing from your system.
- Malware infection: If your computer is infected with malware, it may have disabled Windows Defender to avoid detection and removal.
- Corrupted files or settings: Sometimes, Windows Defender files or settings can become corrupted or damaged, causing the program to stop working or go missing from your system.
- Upgraded from an older version of Windows: If you upgraded your computer from an older version of Windows, a different antivirus program might have replaced Windows Defender.
How do I fix Windows Defender missing in Windows 11?
1. Update Windows
- Press the Windows key and choose the Settings app.
- Select Windows Update on the left side of your screen and choose Check for updates on the right.
- If there are any updates available, download and install them.
2. Use PowerShell to install Windows Defender
- In your taskbar, right-click on the start icon and choose the Windows Terminal (Admin) option.
- Select the Yes button to allow Windows Terminal make changes to your PC.
- Input the following command into the Terminal and hit Enter after each command.
Set-ExecutionPolicy UnrestrictedGet-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
- The above command will help reinstall all default Windows apps, including Windows defender.
3. Repair and reinstall Windows Defender
- Hold Windows + S to open the Search menu, input terminal in the search bar, right-click on Terminal and choose Run as administrator.
- Select Yes in the User Account Control menu.
- Input the following command and hit Enter.
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.SecHealthUI-AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage
4. Use system restore
- Press Windows + R to open the Run command, type rstrui.exe in the text menu, and click OK.
- In the System Restore window, select the Choose a different restore point option and click Next.
- Select a restore point from the list of options available and click Next.
- Confirm the restore details, and select Finish to activate the restore process.
5. Download and run the Microsoft safety scanner
- Get the Microsoft safety scanner from the official Microsoft support website and complete the installation following the on-screen instructions.
- Once the installation process is complete, you will get three scanning options, Quick scan, Full scan, and Customized scan.
- Based on your chosen scanning option, the process will take some minutes to complete.
6. Restart the security center service
- Hold Windows + R simultaneously to open the Run dialogue box, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
- In the Services menu, locate Security Center, right-click, and choose Restart.
- Once the Security Center has restarted, verify if the problem has been fixed.
7. Reset Windows Defender
- Press the Windows key and choose the Settings app.
- Click the Apps option on the left side of your screen and select Default apps on the right.
- Scroll down and select the Reset button before the Reset all default apps option.
Following the solutions listed in this article, you can restore Windows Defender to your Windows 11 computer and ensure your system is protected from potential security threats.
Remember that these solutions are not listed in any particular order, so try different solutions until you find the one that works for you.
