How to turn Windows defender on in Windows 10?

Turning On Windows Defender in Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Windows Defender is a built-in security software that comes pre-installed with Windows 10. It provides real-time protection against malware, viruses, and other online threats. However, sometimes you might need to enable Windows Defender to work properly. In this article, we will guide you through the process of turning on Windows Defender in Windows 10.

Enabling Windows Defender

To enable Windows Defender, you can follow these steps:

• Method 1: Enabling Windows Defender through the Settings App

  1. Click on the Start button and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings window, click on Update & Security.
  3. Click on Windows Security.
  4. Click on Virus & threat protection.
  5. Click on Windows Defender.
  6. Click on Turn on Windows Defender.
  7. Select On to enable Windows Defender.

• Method 2: Enabling Windows Defender through the Control Panel

  1. Click on the Start button and select Control Panel.
  2. In the Control Panel window, click on System and Security.
  3. Click on Windows Defender.
  4. Click on Turn on Windows Defender.
  5. Select On to enable Windows Defender.

Enabling Windows Defender for Specific Programs

If you want to enable Windows Defender for specific programs, you can follow these steps:

• Method 1: Enabling Windows Defender for a Specific Program

  1. Click on the Start button and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings window, click on Update & Security.
  3. Click on Windows Security.
  4. Click on Virus & threat protection.
  5. Click on Windows Defender.
  6. Click on Turn on Windows Defender.
  7. Select On to enable Windows Defender for the specific program.

• Method 2: Enabling Windows Defender for a Specific Program through the Control Panel

  1. Click on the Start button and select Control Panel.
  2. In the Control Panel window, click on System and Security.
  3. Click on Windows Defender.
  4. Click on Turn on Windows Defender.
  5. Select On to enable Windows Defender for the specific program.

Disabling Windows Defender

To disable Windows Defender, you can follow these steps:

• Method 1: Disabling Windows Defender through the Settings App

  1. Click on the Start button and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings window, click on Update & Security.
  3. Click on Windows Security.
  4. Click on Virus & threat protection.
  5. Click on Windows Defender.
  6. Click on Turn on Windows Defender.
  7. Select Off to disable Windows Defender.

• Method 2: Disabling Windows Defender through the Control Panel

  1. Click on the Start button and select Control Panel.
  2. In the Control Panel window, click on System and Security.
  3. Click on Windows Defender.
  4. Click on Turn on Windows Defender.
  5. Select Off to disable Windows Defender.

Enabling Windows Defender for Specific Users

If you want to enable Windows Defender for specific users, you can follow these steps:

• Method 1: Enabling Windows Defender for a Specific User

  1. Click on the Start button and select Settings.
  2. In the Settings window, click on Update & Security.
  3. Click on Windows Security.
  4. Click on Virus & threat protection.
  5. Click on Windows Defender.
  6. Click on Turn on Windows Defender.
  7. Select On to enable Windows Defender for the specific user.

• Method 2: Enabling Windows Defender for a Specific User through the Control Panel

  1. Click on the Start button and select Control Panel.
  2. In the Control Panel window, click on System and Security.
  3. Click on Windows Defender.
  4. Click on Turn on Windows Defender.
  5. Select On to enable Windows Defender for the specific user.

Troubleshooting Windows Defender

If you encounter any issues while trying to enable or disable Windows Defender, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

• Check the Windows Defender settings: Make sure that Windows Defender is enabled and configured correctly.
• Check for updates: Ensure that Windows Defender is up to date, as updates may resolve any issues.
• Check for malware: Run a full scan with Windows Defender to detect and remove any malware.
• Check for conflicts with other software: If you have other software installed that may be interfering with Windows Defender, try disabling it temporarily.

By following these steps, you should be able to turn on Windows Defender in Windows 10 and ensure that your computer is protected from online threats.