Windows computers have a built-in tool to safeguard against viruses and malware. Microsoft Defender or Windows Security is a software that offers a unified interface for managing security, firewall, and antivirus performance features. It also helps you keep track of the device’s health, and secures data with encryption of passwords and hardware. Installing third-party antivirus programs will disable the Microsoft Defender Antivirus engine, however, it won’t affect the functionality of Windows Security itself.
One of the most significant features of Windows Security is Microsoft Defender’s real-time security. This feature is a comprehensive scan of the system, identifying and blocking malware in real-time as it runs, and can identify and restore malicious programs that it’s mistakenly blocked. Microsoft Defender relies on cloud-based and online malware definitions. This can cause it to be slower than other paid competitors when it comes to virus and malware detection.
Other settings that you can access from Windows Security include User Account Control that warns you whenever someone or something attempts to alter the settings of the system, locking the screen until an administrator can confirm the change. You can also choose the frequency at which Windows Security will perform a background check and scan for updates.
You can also create backups of important data from the Microsoft OneDrive folder using Windows Security and also use it to safely erase your hard drive and start with a new one. It’s a simple method to protect your computer’s operating systems and personal information.