Microsoft Defender is a cross-platform anti-virus and security protection suite for Microsoft 365 subscribers. However, it is not natively available on Windows 11, which means M365 customers must install it. Reports suggest Microsoft is now ready to bring the Defender app to Windows by default.
This doesn't mean all Windows 11 users will be able to access the app. You will still need a Microsoft 365 account. Also, Windows Security – itself a branch of Microsoft Defender – will continue to serve as the native anti-virus tool.
Even so, Microsoft now wants to automatically install Microsoft Defender onto all PCs. I guess this will come with prompts to buy Microsoft 365 to access the complete security suite.
The company sent an email to Microsoft 365 subscribers (via Neowin) with the title “Keep your identity safer online”. The company highlights the benefits that Defender brings, adding:
“The Defender app will soon be automatically added to your Windows 10 or Windows 11 device during a routine update of your Microsoft 365 apps. Look for it in the Start Menu and make sure to sign in to activate your protection.
Just launch it from the Start menu and sign in with the personal Microsoft account you use for Microsoft 365.”
Happening Already
This switch is already underway, with users saying they are already seeing the Defender app. This week, the app will become a part of the Microsoft 365 installer, so anyone installing Microsoft 365 will now get Defender automatically. Active M365 subscribers will find Defender on their machines through an automatic update.
Windows Defender became Microsoft Defender with the launch of Windows 10 20H1. Microsoft originally made the name change when Defender first became available on Apple's Mac.
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