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.

Stay protected with Windows Security

Windows 10 includes Windows Security, which provides the latest antivirus protection. Your device will be actively protected from the moment you start Windows 10. Windows Security continually scans for malware (malicious software), viruses, and security threats. In addition to this real-time protection, updates are downloaded automatically to help keep your device safe and protect it from threats.

Windows 10 in S mode

Some features will be a little different if you’re running Windows 10 in S mode. Because this mode is streamlined for tighter security, the Virus & threat protection area has fewer options. But don’t worry—the built-in security of this mode automatically prevents viruses and other threats from running on your device, and you’ll receive security updates automatically. For more info, see Windows 10 in S mode FAQ.

Important security info

Windows Security is built-in to Windows 10 and includes an antirvirus program called Microsoft Defender Antivirus. (In previous versions of Windows 10, Windows Security is called Windows Defender Security Center).

If you have another antivirus app installed and turned on, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will turn off automatically. If you uninstall the other app, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will turn back on automatically.

If you’re having problems receiving Windows Security updates, see Fix Windows Update errors and the Windows Update FAQ.

For info on how to uninstall an app, see Repair or remove an app in Windows 10.

To change your user account to an admin account, see Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10.

Understand and customize Windows Security features

Windows Security is your home to manage the tools that protect your device and your data:

Virus & threat protection. Monitor threats to your device, run scans, and get updates to help detect the latest threats. (Some of these options are unavailable if you’re running Windows 10 in S mode.)

Account protection. Access sign-in options and account settings, including Windows Hello and dynamic lock.

Firewall & network protection. Manage firewall settings and monitor what’s happening with your networks and internet connections.

App & browser control. Update settings for Microsoft Defender SmartScreen to help protect your device against potentially dangerous apps, files, sites, and downloads. You’ll have exploit protection and you can customize protection settings for your devices.

Device security. Review built-in security options to help protect your device from attacks by malicious software.

Device performance & health. View status info about your device’s performance health, and keep your device clean and up to date with the latest version of Windows 10.

Family options. Keep track of your kids’ online activity and the devices in your household.

You can customize how your device is protected with these Windows Security features. To access them, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security . Then select the feature you want to explore.
Open Windows Security settings

Status icons indicate your level of safety:

Green means your device is sufficiently protected and there aren’t any recommended actions.

Yellow means there is a safety recommendation for you.

Red is a warning that something needs your immediate attention.

Run a malware scan manually

When you’re concerned about risks to a specific file or folder, you can right-click the file or folder in File Explorer, then select Scan with Microsoft Defender.

If you suspect there’s malware or a virus on your device, you should immediately run a quick scan. This is much faster than running a full scan on all your files and folders.

Run a quick scan in Windows Security

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then Virus & threat protection.
Open Windows Security settings

Under Current threats, select Quick scan (or in previous versions of Windows 10, under Threat history, select Scan now).

If the scan doesn’t find any issues, but you’re still concerned, you may want to check your device more thoroughly.

Run an advanced scan in Windows Security

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then Virus & threat protection.

Under Current threats, select Scan options (or in previous versions of Windows 10, under Threat history, select Run a new advanced scan).

Select one of the scan options:

Full scan (check files and programs currently running on your device)

Custom scan (scan specific files or folders)

Microsoft Defender Offline scan (run this scan if your device has been, or could potentially be, infected by a virus or malware). Learn more about Microsoft Defender Offline

Select Scan now.

Note: Because of streamlined security, this process isn’t available if you’re running Windows 10 in S mode.

Schedule your own scan

Even though Windows Security is regularly scanning your device to keep it safe, you can also set when and how often the scans occur.

Schedule a scan

Select the Start button, type schedule tasks in the Search box, and in the list of results, select Task Scheduler.

In the left pane, select the arrow (>) next to Task Scheduler Library to expand it, do the same with Microsoft > Windows, and then scroll down and select the Windows Defender folder.

In the top-center pane, select Windows Defender Scheduled Scan. (Point to the choices to see the full names.)

In the Actions pane on the right, scroll down and then select Properties.

In the window that opens, select the Triggers tab, and then select New.

Set your preferred time and frequency, and then select OK.

Review the schedule and select OK.

Note: Because of streamlined security, this process isn’t available if you’re running Windows 10 in S mode.

Turn Microsoft Defender Antivirus real-time protection on or off

Sometimes you may need to briefly stop running real-time protection. While real-time protection is off, files you open or download won’t be scanned for threats. However, real-time protection will soon turn on automatically again to protect your device.

Turn real-time protection off temporarily

Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then Virus & threat protection > Manage settings. (In previous versions of Windows 10, select Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection settings.)
Open Windows Security settings

Switch the Real-time protection setting to Off and choose Yes to verify.

Note: Because of streamlined security, this process isn’t available if you’re running Windows 10 in S mode.