How to Enable Windows Defender

Windows Defender is a software program which is built into Windows Vista. It is meant to assist with blocking, scanning for and removing adware, spyware and other possible threats to a computer. If Windows Defender becomes disabled for some reason, it can be enabled easily through the Windows Control Panel.

Instructions

1. Click "Start." Then click "Control Panel."

2. Double click on "Windows Defender." The icon for defender looks like a gray brick castle wall.

3. Click on the "Tools," menu. Then under a heading called "Settings," click "Options."

4. Scroll down the options menu until you see a heading called "Administrator Options."

5. Check the box called, "Use Windows Defender." Then click the "Save," button to save the changes. You may also wish to check other boxes in the options menu to activate other features, such as automatic malware scanning.

Tips & Warnings

• If you run your own antivirus and anti spyware/adware programs, you can probably run Windows safely without using Windows Defender. Windows Defender can potentially slow down system performance, which prompts some users to disable it.

References

• Microsoft support on Windows Defender