Protect my PC from viruses

This article is about ways to protect your PC from viruses that can screw up your computer, or allow criminals to steal your data, personal information, or money.

Use an antimalware app — Installing an antimalware app and keeping it up to date can help defend your PC against viruses and other malware (malicious software). Antimalware apps scan for viruses, spyware, and other malware trying to get into your email, operating system, or files. New threats can appear daily, so check the antimalware manufacturer’s website frequently for updates.

Microsoft Defender is free antimalware software included with Windows, and you can update it automatically through Windows Update. There are also 3rd party antivirus products that you can choose from.

More isn’t always better

Running multiple antimalware apps at the same time can cause your system to be slow or unstable. If you install a 3rd party antimalware app, Microsoft Defender will automatically turn itself off. If you install two 3rd party antimalware apps, however, they might both try to run at the same time.

Don’t open email messages from unfamiliar senders, or email attachments that you don’t recognize — Many viruses are attached to email messages and will spread as soon as you open the attachment. It’s best not to open any attachment unless it’s something you’re expecting. For more information see: Protect yourself from phishing.

Use a pop-up blocker with your Internet browser — Pop-up windows are small browser windows that appear on top of the website you’re viewing. Although most are created by advertisers, they can also contain malicious or unsafe code. A pop-up blocker can prevent some or all of these windows from appearing. The pop-up blocker in Microsoft Edge is turned on by default.

If you’re using Microsoft Edge, make sure SmartScreen is turned on — SmartScreen in Microsoft Edge helps protect you from phishing and malware attacks by warning you if a website or download location has been reported as unsafe. For more info, see What is SmartScreen and how can it help protect me?

Pay attention to Windows SmartScreen notifications — Be cautious about running unrecognized apps downloaded from the Internet. Unrecognized apps are more likely to be unsafe. When you download and run an app from the Internet, SmartScreen uses info about the app’s reputation to warn you if the app isn’t well-known and might be malicious.

Keep Windows updated — Periodically, Microsoft releases special security updates that can help protect your PC. These updates can help prevent viruses and other malware attacks by closing possible security holes.

You can turn on Windows Update to make sure that Windows receives these updates automatically.

Use a firewall — Windows Firewall, or any other firewall app, can help notify you about suspicious activity if a virus or worm tries to connect to your PC. It can also block viruses, worms, and attackers sending potentially harmful apps to your PC.

Use your Internet browser’s privacy settings — Some websites might try to use your personal info for targeted advertising, fraud, and identity theft.

Make sure User Account Control (UAC) is turned on — When changes are going to be made to your PC that require administrator-level permission, UAC notifies you and gives you the chance to approve the change. UAC can help keep viruses from making unwanted changes. To open UAC, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. (If you’re using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.) Enter uac in the search box, and then tap or click Change User Account Control settings.

Clear your Internet cache and your browsing history — Most browsers store info about the websites you visit and the info that you provide, like your name and address. While it can be helpful to have these details stored on your PC, there are times when you might want to delete some or all of them—for example, when you’re using a public PC and don’t want to leave personal info behind. For more info, see Delete your browsing history.

How do I uninstall antivirus or antispyware programs?

If you use more than one antivirus or antispyware program at the same time, your PC may experience decreased performance, become unstable, or restart unexpectedly.

Caution: When you remove your currently installed Internet security programs, your PC is in an unprotected state. If you haven’t installed another antimalware program make sure that Microsoft Defender Antivirus is enabled, and that Windows Firewall is turned on.

To uninstall unwanted antimalware software:

Go to Start > Settings > Apps

Find the unwanted app or apps and select it

Your machine will likely need to reboot after each app is uninstalled.

Note: Some security software may not uninstall completely. If you’re unable to fully uninstall an app, go to the publisher’s website or contact their technical support line for help.

Virus & threat protection in Windows Security

If you’re running Windows 10 in S mode, some of the features of the Windows Security interface will be a little different. Windows 10 in S mode is streamlined for tighter security, so the Virus & threat protection area has fewer options than those described here. This is because the built-in security of Windows 10 in S mode automatically prevents viruses and other threats from running on your device. Additionally, devices running Windows 10 in S mode receive security updates automatically.

In previous versions of Windows 10, Windows Security is called Windows Defender Security Center.

Virus & threat protection in Windows Security helps you scan for threats on your device. You can also run different types of scans, see the results of your previous virus and threat scans, and get the latest protection offered by Microsoft Defender Antivirus.

The Current threats area lets you:

See any threats currently on your device.

See the last time a scan was run on your device, how long it took, and how many files were scanned.

Start a new scan.

See threats that have been quarantined before they can affect you.

See anything identified as a threat that you have allowed to run on your device.

Note: If you are using third-party antivirus software, you’ll be able to use its virus and threat protection options here.

Run the scans you want

Even though Windows Security is turned on and scans your device automatically, you can perform an additional scan whenever you want.

Quick scan. Concerned that you may have done something to introduce a suspicious file or virus to your device? Select Quick scan (called Scan now in previous versions of Windows 10) to immediately check your device for any recent threats. This option is useful when you don’t want to spend the time running a full scan on all your files and folders. If Windows Security recommends that you run one of the other types of scans, you’ll be notified when the Quick scan is done.

Scan options .Select this link (called Run a new advanced scan in previous versions of Windows 10) to choose from one of the following advanced scan options:

Full scan. Scans every file or program that’s currently running on your device to make sure there’s nothing dangerous in progress.

Custom scan. Scans only files and folders that you select.

Microsoft Defender Offline scan. Uses the latest definitions to scan your device for the latest threats. Run it when you are concerned that your device has been exposed to malware or a virus, or if you want to scan your device without being connected to the Internet. This will restart your device, so be sure to save files you may have open.

Manage your Virus & threat protection settings

Use Virus & threat protection settings when you want to customize your level of protection, send sample files to Microsoft, exclude trusted files and folders from repeated scanning, or temporarily turn off your protection.

Manage your real-time protection

Want to stop running real-time protection for a short while? You can use the Real-time protection setting to turn it off temporarily; however, real-time protection will turn back on automatically after a short while to resume protecting your device. While real-time protection is off, files you open or download won’t be scanned for threats.

Note: If the device you’re using is part of an organization, your system administrator may prevent you from turning off real-time protection.

Get access to cloud-delivered protection

Provide your device with access to the latest threat definitions and threat behavior detection in the cloud. This setting allows Microsoft Defender to get constantly updated improvements from Microsoft while you’re connected to the internet. This will result in more accurately identifying, stopping, and fixing, threats.

This setting is turned on by default.

Send us files with automatic sample submission

If you’re connected to the cloud with cloud-delivered protection, you can send suspicious sample files to Microsoft to check them for potential threats. Microsoft will notify you if you need to send additional files—and alert you if a requested file contains personal information.

Tamper Protection defends your security settings

Microsoft Defender Antivirus settings can occasionally get changed by malicious, or careless, apps or processes; or sometimes by unaware people. With Tamper Protection turned on, important settings like real-time protection, can’t be easily or accidentally turned off.

This setting is turned on, by default, for consumers.

Protect files from unauthorized access

Use the Controlled folder access setting to manage which folders untrusted apps can make changes to. You can also add additional apps to the trusted list so they can make changes in those folders. This is a powerful tool to make your files safer from ransomware.

When you turn on Controlled folder access, a lot of the folders you use most often will be protected by default. This means that content in any of these folders cannot be accessed or changed by any unknown or untrusted apps. If you add additional folders, they become protected as well.

Exclude items from virus scans

There may be times when you’ll want to exclude specific files, folders, file types, or processes from being scanned, such as if these are trusted items and you are certain you don’t need to take time to scan them. In those rare instances you can add an exclusion for them.

Curate your notifications

Windows Security will send notifications about the health and safety of your device. You can turn these notifications on, or off, on the notifications page. In Virus & threat protection, under Virus & threat protection settings, select Manage settings, scroll down to Notifications and select Change notification settings.

Protect your device with the latest updates

Security intelligence (sometimes referred to as «definitions») are files that contain information about the latest threats that could infect your device. Windows Security uses security intelligence every time a scan is run.

Microsoft automatically downloads the latest intelligence to your device as part of Windows Update, but you can also manually check for it. On the Virus & threat protection page, under Virus & threat protection updates, select Check for updates to scan for the latest security intelligence.

Consumer antivirus software providers for Windows

If you’re running Windows 10, Windows 8.1, or Windows 8, you’ve already got Windows Defender built in, helping to protect you against viruses, spyware, and other malware.

Malware consists of viruses, spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Windows Defender is free and is included in Windows, always on and always working to protect your PC against malware.

Hackers and scammers sometimes use fake antimalware software to trick you into installing viruses or malware on your computer. Should you wish to explore alternatives to the already installed or available Microsoft antimalware software on your Windows PC, the reputable security companies listed below provide consumer security software that is compatible with Windows. Just click the company name to see the Windows-compatible product they offer. For business security software that is compatible with Windows, please contact your security vendor of choice.

Many companies, including those listed on this page, distribute anti malware software. You should carefully investigate the source of anti malware and other products before downloading and installing them. For more information, see Protect your PC.

Important: Windows Defender will turn off if you install another anti malware program to protect your PC. Before you install anti malware software, check to make sure you don’t already have an anti malware product on your computer. If you do, be sure to remove the product you don’t want before you install the new one. It can cause problems on your computer to have two different anti malware products installed and running at the same time.

The antivirus providers listed on this page might be unavailable for your version of Windows or in your country or region.

The most secure Windows ever

Windows 10 provides comprehensive, built-in protection—at no extra cost. 1 Learn how Windows Hello facial recognition and biometric logins, coupled with comprehensive antivirus protection, keep you more secure than ever.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Formerly known as Windows Defender, Microsoft Defender Antivirus still delivers the comprehensive, ongoing, and real-time protection you expect against software threats like viruses, malware, and spyware across email, apps, the cloud, and the web.

Always on defense—at no extra cost

No need to download—Microsoft Defender comes standard on Windows 10, protecting your data and devices in real time with a full suite of advanced security safeguards. 1

Files are secured and accessible across devices

Save your files to OneDrive to keep them protected, backed up, and accessible from all your devices, anywhere.

You manage your privacy

Set your location, camera, and data usage options in the easy-to-access account settings panel.

Help keep your family safer online

With Windows 10, schedule screen time, limit access to mature content, and restrict online purchases, including apps, games, and movies. 2

Say goodbye to passwords with Windows Hello

Windows Hello logs you in 3x faster than a password. 4 Use your camera to recognize your face or try your fingerprint reader. 3 You can always keep your PIN as a backup.

Sign in your way

Enabling Windows Hello turns on sign-in with your face or fingerprint. 3 Login faster and more securely to your laptop, tablet, device, app, or even websites; you can even make in-app purchases.

Windows Hello enabled apps

Windows Hello works with compatible apps like iHeartRadio and Dropbox, so you can bypass the password and breeze right through with facial recognition biometric security. 3

Your companion devices unlock your PC

Windows Hello lets you use your digital wristband, smart watch, phone, and other companion devices to quickly unlock your Windows 10 PC without using a password. 5

Prevent PC updates from interrupting your workflow

Windows 10 provides new features and security updates for free on an ongoing basis. Now you have the option to update when it’s convenient for you.

You’re in control with searching, streaming, and gaming

Set parameters with Ask a Parent tool 6

If your kids want more screen time or to purchase a game, app, or movie, you can require them to request your permission first.

Get things done securely and quickly on the web

Microsoft Edge and Bing feature built-in learning tools, 4K 7 streaming, and advanced cyber protections—all optimized for Windows 10.

Sync your files with OneDrive Learn how to store and access files across devices with OneDrive. Watch step by step how to set-up, sync and access files on your iOS, Andriod and Windows devices.

Share and edit files in OneDrive

Save files to OneDrive to keep them protected, backed up, and accessible from your iOS, Android, and Windows devices, virtually anywhere. 8 Even offline.

Security and privacy you can count on

Privacy starts with putting you in control. You should have the tools and information to make informed choices. You can manage your data saved to the cloud.

Find My Device

Find My Device is a feature that can help you locate your Windows 10 device if it’s lost or stolen. It works for any Windows device, such as a PC, laptop, Surface, or Surface Pen.

1 For the supported lifetime of the device. Internet access fees may apply.

2 Requires a Microsoft family account with Device health sharing permissions enabled.

3 Windows Hello requires specialized hardware including a Windows Hello capable device, fingerprint reader, illuminated IR sensor or other biometric sensors and capable devices.

4 Based on average time comparison between typing a password respectively detecting a face or fingerprint to authentication success.​

5 Available for selected companion devices and selected Windows 10 editions. Might require that PC and companion devices are joined in Azure Active Directory or Active Directory and paired via Bluetooth.

6 Requires a Microsoft family account with Device health sharing permissions enabled. Also requires Android devices with Microsoft Launcher installed and signed in with the same Microsoft account associated with their Microsoft family account. For a parent to access and view a child’s locations and app activities through the Family web page, Microsoft Launcher must be installed on each child’s device. For a parent to access and view their child’s location(s) and app activities through Microsoft Launcher, Microsoft Launcher must be installed on both the parent’s device and each child’s device. In each case, location and app usage permissions must be allowed through Microsoft Launcher on the child’s device. Activity reporting features require Android 5.0+ on each child’s device. Family settings available on Windows 10 and Xbox One devices. Some settings available on Android devices with Microsoft Launcher installed. Family settings work on the Microsoft Edge browser only.

7 4K Ultra HD exclusivity is limited to PCs running Windows 10. 4K works in both Microsoft Edge and Netflix app. Only 7th Gen Intel® Core™ processor or higher devices can decrypt PlayReady 4K DRM. Netflix Ultra HD plan required. Requires Dolby Vision-supported PlayReady content and capable hardware.

8 Internet access may be required. Fees may apply.