What is Windows Defender?
{{Infobox Windows component | name = Windows Defender | logo = Windows Defender logo.svg | screenshot = | caption = | other_names = Windows Defender Antivirus | type = [[Antivirus software]] on [[Windows 8]] and later (formerly [[spyware removal software]] in [[Windows XP]], [[Windows Vista]], and [[Windows 7]]) | included_with = [[Windows Vista]] and later<br>[[Windows Server 2008]] and later | also_available_for = [[Windows XP]] and [[Windows Server 2003]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Windows Defender|url=http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17|website=Download Center|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429013550/http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=17|archive-date=29 April 2012|date=23 May 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> | replaces = [[Microsoft Security Essentials]] | replaced_by = | support_status = Same as the integrated version with Windows | related_components = [[Windows Defender Security Center]]}} '''Windows Defender''' (which used to be called '''Microsoft AntiSpyware'''), is an application made by [[Microsoft]]. It was released on October 24, 2006. Windows Defender prevents, quarantines, and removes [[spyware]]s in [[Windows Vista]] and [[Windows 7]]. It also prevents [[computer virus]]es in [[Windows 8]] and above.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Microsoft security and your business: Microsoft Defender|url=https://www.essentialtech.com.au/blog/microsoft-security-and-your-business-microsoft-defender|access-date=2022-07-24|website=www.essentialtech.com.au|language=en}}</ref> It can also be downloaded for free for [[Windows XP]] and [[Windows Server 2003]]. ==Related pages== *[[Microsoft Security Essentials]] ==References== {{reflist}} == Other websites == *{{Official website|https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/safety/pc-security/windows-defender.aspx}} {{Tech-stub}} [[Category:Antivirus software]] [[Category:Microsoft software]]