Eager to know about ‘windows defender antivirus’ and install it? Then take a peek at this blog.

Here at Bobcares, we have seen several such Windows related queries as part of our Server Management Services for web hosts and online service providers.

Today we’ll see how to install windows defender antivirus.

A few facts about windows defender antivirus

The Microsoft Defender is an anti-malware component that Microsoft Windows provides. It is available on Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019.

Also, it is referred to as the Endpoint Protection.

The functionality, configuration, and management are quite the same for the Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows 10 except for a few differences.

How to install Windows Defender Antivirus in Windows servers2016 and 2019

Now let’s take a look at how to install the Defender.

1. Enable the user interface on Windows Server 2016 or 2019

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is installed and functional on Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019 by default. Also, the GUI is installed by default in some of the SKUs. However, in case, if it is not installed then you can add it by using the Add Roles and Features Wizard or PowerShell.

Turn on the GUI using the Add Roles and Features Wizard

• Use the Add Roles and Features Wizard.
• When you come across the Features step of the wizard which is present under Windows Defender Features, select the GUI for Windows Defender option.

Turn on the GUI using PowerShell

Run the below PowerShell cmdlet to enable the interface.

Install-WindowsFeature -Name Windows-Defender-GUI

2. Install Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows Server 2016 or 2019

For installation, you can use either the Add Roles and Features Wizard or PowerShell to install Microsoft Defender Antivirus.

Use the Add Roles and Features Wizard

In Add Roles and Features Wizard, when you come across the Features step of the wizard, select the Microsoft Defender Antivirus option. Also, select the GUI for the Windows Defender option.

Use PowerShell

Run the below command to install Microsoft Defender Antivirus using the PowerShell.

Install-WindowsFeature -Name Windows-Defender

3. Verify Microsoft Defender Antivirus is running

Run the below PowerShell cmdlet to verify that Microsoft Defender Antivirus is running on the server

Get-Service -Name windefend

Run the below PowerShell cmdlet to verify that firewall protection is turned on or not.

Get-Service -Name mpssvc

To verify that Microsoft Defender Antivirus is running or not, you can use Command Prompt as an alternative to PowerShell. For that, run the below command from a command prompt.

sc query Windefend

4. Update antimalware Security intelligence

You must have the Windows Update service running so that you will get an updated antimalware Security intelligence. In case, if you are using update management service, like Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), make sure that updates for Microsoft Defender Antivirus Security.

By default, on Windows Server 2016 or 2019, the Windows Update doesn’t download and install updates automatically. However, you can change this configuration by using one of the following methods.

Method 1: Windows Update in Control Panel

• ‘Install updates automatically’ results in all updates being automatically installed, including Windows Defender Security intelligence updates.
• ‘Download updates but let me choose whether to install them’ will allow Windows Defender to download and install Security intelligence updates automatically. But other updates aren’t installed automatically.

Method 2: Group Policy

• You can set up and manage Windows Update by using the settings available in Group Policy, in the following path: ‘Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update\Configure Automatic Updates’

Method 3: The AUOptions registry key

•  The following two values will allow Windows Update to automatically download and install Security intelligence updates.
  – 4 Install updates automatically. This value will result in all updates being automatically installed, including Windows Defender Security intelligence updates.
  – 3 Download updates but let me choose whether to install them. This value will allow Windows Defender to download and install Security intelligence updates automatically. But other updates aren’t installed automatically.

Ensure that you enable ‘Windows Error Reporting service’ and ‘Windows Update service’ so that protection from malware is maintained.

[Need any further assistance with Windows queries? – We are here to help you.]

Conclusion

In today’s writeup, we saw how to install windows defender antivirus.