Microsoft sometimes also uses the name Windows Defender Security Center to refer to the online portal for the commercial product Windows Defender ATP, which is described below. Windows Defender Antivirus as well as Windows Defender Security Center are free components built into the modern Windows operating system. Starting with Windows 10 version 1703 and Windows Server 2016, the OS also includes an app called Windows Defender Security Center, which allows end-users to review the status of built-in and (beginning with Windows 10 version 1709) compatible third-party security aspects of the system. In addition, Microsoft uses the name Microsoft Antimalware for Azure to refer to the anti-malware agent on the virtual machines that run on the Azure Cloud platform this technology’s capabilities are consistent with those of Windows Defender Antivirus. Windows Defender AV is also available as part of Windows Server 2016 and later, where it’s sometimes called Endpoint Protection. Starting with Windows 10, Microsoft enhanced the anti-malware component built into the OS and named it Windows Defender Antivirus (Windows Defender AV). In earlier versions of the OS, Microsoft used the name Microsoft Security Essentials. The standalone name Windows Defender refers to malware protection built into Windows 8.

Windows Defender AV and Windows Defender ATP If you notice any errors or omissions, I’d love to hear about them via Twitter or our contact form. Note that I’ve assembled these details after carefully examining and interpreting Microsoft’s public documentation.

If you’re impatient, scroll down to the end to see the table that summarizes all the names and capabilities. What benefits do they offer? Which ones are included in the base operating system? What are their dependencies?īelow is my attempt at untangling the “Windows Defender” naming mess. In discussions with Minerva Labs customers and partners I’ve witnessed frequent confusion regarding the role that these technologies can play in an enterprise security architecture. Microsoft includes “Windows Defender” in names of several security capabilities that the company provides.

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