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Windows Defender in Windows 10 or Windows 8.1 is set to automatically download and install the definition updates using Windows Update, once a day. If for some reason, your Windows Defender will not update automatically, or if you wish to download and save the definition updates in order to maybe update Windows Defender offline, on different installations of Windows 10/8/7/Vista, then this post will be of interest to you.
We have already seen how to download Windows Update manually. Today, we will see how you can update Windows Defender manually in Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7. I will also give links for downloading updates for Microsoft Security Essentials in the post..
Update Windows Defender manually
First check whether you are using a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 10/8.1/7. Once you know the version of Windows installed on your device, download the installers from the following links:
- Download definition updates for Windows Defender in Windows 10, Windows 8.1/8: 32-bit | 64-bit | ARM.
- Download definition updates for Windows Defender in Windows 7 and Windows Vista: 32-bit | 64-bit.
- Download definition updates for Microsoft Security Essentials: 32-bit | 64-bit.
Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1. Open the Control Panel. If using Small icons view, click on the Windows Update option. If using the Category view, click on the System and Security option, then click on the Windows Update option. Windows Update will check for any available updates for your computer. Mar 29, 2019 How to Update Windows 8.1 - Checking For Updates Manually Swipe in from the right side of your screen and select 'Settings. Click on 'Change PC settings,' then select 'Update and recovery. Click on 'Check now. Click on 'Install updates' if updates are available. Review and accept the license.
Once the file has finished downloading, go to your download location and double-click the file mpam–fe.exe. Follow the prompts to install the update.
You can also update Windows Defender definitions using Windows PowerShell.
If you think some malware is preventing the installation of Windows Defender definition updates, you may want to run a scan with Microsoft Safety Scanner or for more stubborn malware, using Windows Defender Offline.
See how to update Windows 10 offline.
These links are sure to interest you too:
- Add Scan With Windows Defender To Context Menu In Windows 10/8/7.
TIP: Download this tool to quickly find & fix Windows errors automatically
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Downloading updates for Windows is a crucial step to maintaining your computer. Updates regularly contain patches for security vulnerabilities that could allow infections in your machine, bug fixes that resolve errors, and features that could make your operating system more useful. Though you should have automatic updates configured, that isn’t always the case. To keep your computer safe you’ll need to know how to manually trigger updates and change your update settings.
New and Improved PC Settings
The procedure for downloading updates in Windows 8.1 is very similar to the process in Windows 8. However, since 8.1 overhauled the PC Settings app, you’ll find the process is no longer broken between the modern app and the legacy Control Panel. Everything you need is in one place.
Open the Charms bar and click Settings to get started. Next, click Change PC Settings to launch the modern settings app. Choose Update and Recovery from the left pane of the window to get to the section you need. Click Windows Update from the left pane and you’re ready to go.
The Windows Update page gives you all the information you need to learn the state of your update settings including whether you are set up to download your updates automatically and whether or not there are updates currently ready for installation.
Manually Trigger Updates
To manually trigger an update, go ahead and click Check now. You’ll have to wait while Windows checks for any available updates. It should only take a few seconds, but that will vary based on your Internet connection speed. Once done, you’ll see a message letting you know if there are any updates available.
If there are critical updates available, you’ll be alerted. If not, you’ll see a message stating that there aren’t any updates to download but you can install other updates. Either way, click View details to see what’s available.
From this screen, you can see all of the updates that are available for your computer. You can select each update individually, or click Select all important updates to save time and install them all at once. Optional updates are also included in this view, so select any you want. Finally, click Install to finish the process.
Windows will download and install the updates you selected. Once that's done you’ll have to restart your computer to complete the configuration procedure. Click Restart nowwhen prompted or close the PC Settings app and restart when it’s convenient.
Unable To Check For Updates Windows 8.1
Change Automatic Update Settings
It's easy enough to manually trigger updates, but this method is not the best strategy for most users. The average person will simply forget to regularly check for updates, and their system will go unprotected missing out on critical security patches. To prevent this issue—and to ensure that your computer always has the latest updates installed—you should enable automatic updates.
As mentioned above, all the update functions of Windows are baked into the new and improved PC settings. There’s no need to bounce between PC settings and the Control Panel. To change how updates are installed on your computer, return to Settings > Change PC Settings > Update and Recovery > Windows Update.
The Windows Update page will show your current update settings. If you want to change them, you’ll find a link below the Check now button that says Choose how updates get installed.
Select that and then click the drop-down list to choose how Windows installs important updates. Your options are:
Check For Updates Windows Vista
- Install updates automatically.
- Download updates but let me choose whether to install them.
- Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them.
- Never check for updates.
We highly recommend that you set Windows to download and install updates automatically to provide the best protection for your computer.
Next, you can select two additional options below the drop-down list.
- Give me the recommended updates the same way I receive important updates.
- Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows.
To provide the best protection, select both. When you’ve made your choices, click Apply to finalize them. Provided you’ve selected automatic updates, you won’t have to worry about updates again. Windows will simply install them in the background and ask you to restart your computer when necessary. Though there may be times you want to hurry that process up with a manual check such as when a critical update patch is released.