How to ensure your Windows antivirus is running and up-to-date

As part of continuing to provide information to help you take steps to protect your PC, we’d like to cover how to ensure your antivirus software is running and up-to-date on Windows, namely Windows 10.

Let’s dive in…

Windows now comes with antivirus and protection software. Microsoft cannot have a reputation for having an insecure operating system, so they have a vested interest in keeping you secure.

Where you use the built-in antivirus or a 3rd-party solution, you just must be sure it’s running and up-to-date.

For the purpose of this tutorial, we’ll look at Windows Defender Security Center. It’s included with Windows (free) and easy to configure.

Check your update status

Here are the steps to take:

1. Click Start
2. Settings
3. Update & Security
4.  Windows Defender (on the left)
5. Open Windows Defender Security Center

You should then be presented with a screen with green icons and a message that you are being protected.

Here’s a screenshot of Windows 10 confirming it is protected:

If you are not being protected

Windows 10 is very good about letting you know where gaps are in your security. If you are missing the healthy green checks, you will instead see scary red marks. Clicking on these will guide you through remediation.

This might mean you need to update your virus protection, turn it on, or enable your firewall. Windows will guide you through all of these scenarios.

If you use a third-party antivirus software, you may have some different steps, but the fundamental pieces remain the same: ensure it is running and ensure it is up-to-date.