Here is a breakdown: Windows Security is a front-end app that comes with Windows. This app reports the status of: Microsoft Defender Antivirus (MSDA) Your certified third-party antivirus Windows Firewall Your certified third-party firewall OneDrive Microsoft Account Windows Hello Dynamic Lock Application Guard CFG DEP ASLR SEHOP Core Isolation Parental Controls It can also run and change the settings of all of those, except OneDrive, third-party AVs, and third-party firewalls. But being a front-end app, it is useless on its own. Microsoft employees often confuse it with MSDA. Microsoft Defender Antivirus (MSDA) is the antivirus that comes with Windows, and is the best antivirus in the world right now. It no longer has a UI. To manage it, you must use Windows Security, PowerShell, or Windows Admin Center. MSDA once had a dedicated UI similar to Microsoft Security Essentials . You can still find it in Windows 8 and early versions of Windows 10. Even its executable file is still there. But running that executable file only runs Windows Security. Microsoft Defender is the brand name of many commercial security offerings by Microsoft . They are software plus service offerings that covers Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android device, as well as security areas like identity theft, XDR, SIEM, and vulnerability management. As with most Microsoft products and services, Microsoft Defender is intended for corps and governments, even though there is a " Microsoft Defender for Individuals " in the wild. This umbrella brand name was originally called "Windows Defender." Microsoft renamed it to "Microsoft Defender" to signal that it isn't Windows-specific. Microsoft even tried to rename "Windows Firewall" to "Windows Defender Firewall" (you can still see that name inside Windows Security). Microsoft enjoys confusing brand naming. For example: .NET Framework, .NET Core, .NET Standard, and .NET – originally, Microsoft intended to call many other things .NET . Windows PowerShell, PowerShell Core, and PowerShell Outlook Express, Outlook, Outlook, and Outlook – not to mention Outlook.com, Outlook Web Access, and Outlook on the web (an on-premises app ) Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code .NET Native, .NET AOT, and .NET Native AOT (none of which are AOT or native; .NET is all the way managed code) Answer from CodenameFlux on reddit.com
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Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › stay-protected-with-the-windows-security-app-2ae0363d-0ada-c064-8b56-6a39afb6a963
Stay Protected With the Windows Security App - Microsoft Support
Device security · Device Performance and Health · Family options · Protection History · Settings · Applies To · Windows 11 Windows 10 · The Windows Security app is a comprehensive security solution integrated into Windows, designed to protect your device and data from various threats.
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Microsoft
microsoft.com › en-us › windows › comprehensive-security
Windows Security: Defender Antivirus, SmartScreen, and More | Microsoft Windows
With the power of AI, Smart App Control can help predict which apps are safe to run on Windows 11.1 · Harder to hack and easier to update, PCs with Microsoft Pluton have the ultimate security processor built right in.10
Discussions

What’s the Difference Between Windows Defender, Windows Security?
Here is a breakdown: Windows Security is a front-end app that comes with Windows. This app reports the status of: Microsoft Defender Antivirus (MSDA) Your certified third-party antivirus Windows Firewall Your certified third-party firewall OneDrive Microsoft Account Windows Hello Dynamic Lock Application Guard CFG DEP ASLR SEHOP Core Isolation Parental Controls It can also run and change the settings of all of those, except OneDrive, third-party AVs, and third-party firewalls. But being a front-end app, it is useless on its own. Microsoft employees often confuse it with MSDA. Microsoft Defender Antivirus (MSDA) is the antivirus that comes with Windows, and is the best antivirus in the world right now. It no longer has a UI. To manage it, you must use Windows Security, PowerShell, or Windows Admin Center. MSDA once had a dedicated UI similar to Microsoft Security Essentials . You can still find it in Windows 8 and early versions of Windows 10. Even its executable file is still there. But running that executable file only runs Windows Security. Microsoft Defender is the brand name of many commercial security offerings by Microsoft . They are software plus service offerings that covers Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android device, as well as security areas like identity theft, XDR, SIEM, and vulnerability management. As with most Microsoft products and services, Microsoft Defender is intended for corps and governments, even though there is a " Microsoft Defender for Individuals " in the wild. This umbrella brand name was originally called "Windows Defender." Microsoft renamed it to "Microsoft Defender" to signal that it isn't Windows-specific. Microsoft even tried to rename "Windows Firewall" to "Windows Defender Firewall" (you can still see that name inside Windows Security). Microsoft enjoys confusing brand naming. For example: .NET Framework, .NET Core, .NET Standard, and .NET – originally, Microsoft intended to call many other things .NET . Windows PowerShell, PowerShell Core, and PowerShell Outlook Express, Outlook, Outlook, and Outlook – not to mention Outlook.com, Outlook Web Access, and Outlook on the web (an on-premises app 😂) Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code .NET Native, .NET AOT, and .NET Native AOT (none of which are AOT or native; .NET is all the way managed code) More on reddit.com
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January 19, 2025
How do I remove a Windows 10 security update that I can't uninstall in the updates history? : techsupport
🌐 r/techsupport
How to get Windows 10 extended security updates : msp
🌐 r/msp
How big is the security risk of using Windows 10 past the EOL date in 2025? : windows
🌐 r/windows
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Institute for Advanced Study
ias.edu › security › getting-started-with-windows-security-windows-defender
Getting Started with Windows Security and Windows Defender | Security | Institute for Advanced Study
December 13, 2022 - Introduction to Windows Security and Windows Defender Included with the default installaton of Windows 10 is Windows Security, which includes a robust and efficient antivirus protection system called Microsoft Defender.
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Windows Central
windowscentral.com › microsoft › windows help
Beginner's guide to Windows Security on Windows 11 and 10 | Windows Central
August 27, 2024 - On Windows 11 (and 10), you can use these steps to understand and manage the security features available through the Windows Security app to protect your computer and data against viruses, other kinds of malware, and hackers.
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Google
edu.gcfglobal.org › en › windows10 › security-and-maintenance › 1
Windows 10: Security and Maintenance
In addition to scanning your computer for potentially harmful applications, Windows Security provides real-time protection, double-checking each file or application you open without slowing down your computer.
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Security.org
security.org › home › complete guide to antivirus protection › antivirus software how-to guides › does windows 10 come with antivirus?
Does Windows 10 Need or Come With Antivirus in 2025? | Security.org
September 30, 2025 - We’ve thrown a lot of information your way, but the bottom line is that, although Windows 10 is effective in terms of performance, it lacks some key features, like endpoint protection and remediation. In digital security, redundancy is key, so we recommend installing third-party antivirus software.
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PCWorld
pcworld.com › home › reviews › security reviews
Windows Security review: Basic but effective protection built into Windows | PCWorld
Windows Security review: Basic but effective protection built into Windows
But over the years, Microsoft has beefed up the security features that come with Windows. Beyond just basic antivirus protection, Windows 10 and 11 both include a healthy lineup of other tools designed to protect your PC, your files, and your online activity from malicious threats. The common perception is that paid security products from third parties must be more effective than any security built into an operating system like Windows. That may have been true in the past. But over the years, Microsoft has beefed up the security features that come with Windows. Beyond just basic antivirus prot
Rating: 4 ​
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/windows › what’s the difference between windows defender, windows security?
r/windows on Reddit: What’s the Difference Between Windows Defender, Windows Security?
January 19, 2025 -

I read that as of late last month, Microsoft 365 Personal includes Microsoft Defender and that it's a separate app. However, Windows comes with Windows Security which used to be called Defender years ago. What is the difference between Microsoft Defender and Windows Security?

Top answer
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Here is a breakdown: Windows Security is a front-end app that comes with Windows. This app reports the status of: Microsoft Defender Antivirus (MSDA) Your certified third-party antivirus Windows Firewall Your certified third-party firewall OneDrive Microsoft Account Windows Hello Dynamic Lock Application Guard CFG DEP ASLR SEHOP Core Isolation Parental Controls It can also run and change the settings of all of those, except OneDrive, third-party AVs, and third-party firewalls. But being a front-end app, it is useless on its own. Microsoft employees often confuse it with MSDA. Microsoft Defender Antivirus (MSDA) is the antivirus that comes with Windows, and is the best antivirus in the world right now. It no longer has a UI. To manage it, you must use Windows Security, PowerShell, or Windows Admin Center. MSDA once had a dedicated UI similar to Microsoft Security Essentials . You can still find it in Windows 8 and early versions of Windows 10. Even its executable file is still there. But running that executable file only runs Windows Security. Microsoft Defender is the brand name of many commercial security offerings by Microsoft . They are software plus service offerings that covers Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android device, as well as security areas like identity theft, XDR, SIEM, and vulnerability management. As with most Microsoft products and services, Microsoft Defender is intended for corps and governments, even though there is a " Microsoft Defender for Individuals " in the wild. This umbrella brand name was originally called "Windows Defender." Microsoft renamed it to "Microsoft Defender" to signal that it isn't Windows-specific. Microsoft even tried to rename "Windows Firewall" to "Windows Defender Firewall" (you can still see that name inside Windows Security). Microsoft enjoys confusing brand naming. For example: .NET Framework, .NET Core, .NET Standard, and .NET – originally, Microsoft intended to call many other things .NET . Windows PowerShell, PowerShell Core, and PowerShell Outlook Express, Outlook, Outlook, and Outlook – not to mention Outlook.com, Outlook Web Access, and Outlook on the web (an on-premises app 😂) Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code .NET Native, .NET AOT, and .NET Native AOT (none of which are AOT or native; .NET is all the way managed code)
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LOL. At Microsoft they like ridiculous naming conventions. Careful or they will rename it Microsoft Defender 365 Copilot.
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Forbes
forbes.com › forbes homepage › innovation › cybersecurity
Bad News For Microsoft Windows 10 Users — Another Security Update Fail
November 16, 2025 - It hasn’t been the best few days for users of the Windows 10 operating system, what with the newly-reported emergence of an old bot attack threat, and Patch Tuesday confirmation of a Windows kernel zero-day vulnerability that requires all Windows 10, 11 and Server users to update as soon as possible. Now, you might not think that’s too problematic, despite Windows 10 now being out of support, thanks to the availability of Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates programme.
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Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › virus-and-threat-protection-in-the-windows-security-app-1362f4cd-d71a-b52a-0b66-c2820032b65e
Virus and Threat Protection in the Windows Security App - Microsoft Support
Virus & threat protection updates: ... to configure OneDrive to help you recover from a ransomware attack · In the Windows Security app on your PC,​​​​​​​ select Virus & threat protection, or use the following shortcut:...
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CSO Online
csoonline.com › home › security › endpoint protection › windows security
Microsoft fixes Windows 10 update flaw | CSO Online
November 18, 2025 - However, on Monday (Nov. 17) Microsoft said the issue has been fixed by the update KB5072653: Extended Security Updates (ESU) Licensing Preparation Package for Windows 10.
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The Register
theregister.com › 2025 › 11 › 18 › windows_10_esu_patch
Microsoft issues patch after Windows 10 ESU rollout stumbles • The Register
November 18, 2025 - The patch was released in KB5072653, which Microsoft has referred to as the "Extended Security Updates (ESU) Licensing Preparation Package for Windows 10."
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ZDNET
zdnet.com › home › tech › services & software › operating systems › windows
You can still get free Windows 10 security patches
November 24, 2025 - This month's Windows updates will be delivered automatically on Patch Tuesday, November 11. Unless you have a PC running Windows 10, that is. Support for that operating system has officially ended, and any PC running Windows 10 with its default settings will no longer receive those critical monthly security updates from the Windows Update servers.
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Lifehacker
lifehacker.com › home › tech › software
Microsoft Just Broke (and Fixed) Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 | Lifehacker
November 12, 2025 - Windows 10 is no longer officially ... it. It's not as confusing as it sounds: As of Oct. 14, Microsoft has stopped issuing security updates for Windows 10 users by default....
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Windows 10 Forums
tenforums.com › tutorials › 74296-how-open-windows-security-windows-10-a.html
How to Open Windows Security in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Help Forums
January 7, 2017 - Windows Security has seven areas that protect your device and let you specify how you want your device protected: Virus & threat protection - Monitor threats to your device, run scans, and get updates to help detect the latest threats.
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SoftwareKeep
softwarekeep.com › blogs › news › set-up-security-in-windows-10
How to Set up Windows security in Windows 10 | SoftwareKeep
October 15, 2024 - Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security and then Virus & threat protection > Manage settings. (In early versions of Windows 10, select Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection settings.)
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Lenovo
lenovo.com › home
Windows Defender: How Does Windows Defender Work? Do I Need To Install It? | Lenovo US
No, you don't need to install Windows defender separately. It comes pre-installed with Windows 10 and is automatically enabled by default. However, if you're using an older version of Windows, you might need to download and install Microsoft security essentials, which is the predecessor of ...
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Carleton University
carleton.ca › home › how to enable microsoft defender
How to enable Microsoft Defender On Windows 10 or 11
May 8, 2023 - Microsoft Defender is a component of Windows 10 and 11 that provides comprehensive, built-in and ongoing security protections.
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Forbes
forbes.com › forbes homepage › innovation › cybersecurity
Microsoft Confirms Free Windows 10 Security Updates — How To Get Them
November 3, 2025 - Updated November 3 with further confirmation of the many real-world dangers of living with an unsupported operating system, as Microsoft offers Windows 10 users a year of free security updates if they act quickly.
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Ithaca College
help.ithaca.edu › TDClient › 34 › Portal › KB › ArticleDet
Quick Guide: Windows Defender and Windows Security
For Windows, the program is called either Windows Defender or Windows Security. macOS will use Microsoft Defender. This guide describes how to scan your computer using this software to search for malicious programs.