Windows computers come with an integrated tool to safeguard against viruses and malware. It’s known as Microsoft Defender, or Windows Security that provides an integrated experience for managing security, firewall and antivirus features. It also lets you monitor the health of your device and secure data using hardware encryption and password management. Installing third-party antivirus software can disable the Microsoft Defender Antivirus engine, however it won’t impact the functionality of Windows Security itself.

One of the most significant features of Windows Security is Microsoft Defender’s real-time security. This feature scans the entire system, identifying and blocking malicious software in real-time as it is running, and also quarantine and restore suspicious applications that it’s incorrectly blocked. It’s important to keep in mind that the Microsoft Defender scanner relies on online and cloud-based malware definitions, which can cause it to be slower than paid competitors in virus and malware detection rates in a few cases.

Other settings accessible through Windows Security include User Account Control that warns you whenever someone or something attempts to change system-level settings, locking the screen until an administrator can confirm the change. You can http://compsmagy.net/what-to-do-if-opera-vpn-not-working also decide how often Windows Security Center will perform a background check and scan for updates.

You can also make backups of important files in the Microsoft OneDrive folder using Windows Security and also use it to safely erase your hard drive and start fresh. It’s a handy method of keeping your computer’s operating system and your personal data secure and is a great option for people who don’t have the money for an additional security program.