Microsoft Defender could be installed in your Windows PC automatically soon

Kevin Okemwa

turn off microsoft defender

If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, Microsoft Defender might be automatically installed on your Windows device automatically as part of the package. As you might already be aware, Windows device ship with an in-built antivirus, Windows Security.

Microsoft is reportedly sending out emails to Microsoft 365 Personal and Microsoft 365 Family users with the subject line “Keep your identity safer online” indicating that Microsoft Defender will soon be installed on Windows 11 and Windows 10 devices automatically via a routine Microsoft 365 apps update.

The email doesn’t detail the exact date it is expected to take place, only that it will start in February. However, some users have already indicated that the software has already been installed on their devices automatically.

The company further disclosed in a support document that:

Starting in late February of 2023, the Microsoft Defender app will be included in the Microsoft 365 installer. That means that when you install the Microsoft 365 apps on your Windows device, the Microsoft Defender app will automatically be installed for you along with the other apps.

If you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription and have already installed the Microsoft 365 apps, then the Microsoft Defender app will be automatically installed for you with the next update.

Just launch it from the Start menu and sign in with the personal Microsoft account you use for Microsoft 365.

Recently, Microsoft also discovered a new issue where some users running on Windows 10 and Windows 11, version 22H2 were getting full notification prompts asking them to upgrade to Windows 11 on their unsupported devices. However, the company has since fixed the issue.

Have you received the email highlighting the change or has the software been installed on your device? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

via: Neowin