Every Windows computer comes with Windows Defender as its anti-malware tool by default. It is like the first line of defense in your Windows PC against malware/viruses. Although it has been found in many cases that the Windows defender is not showing up or Windows defender is missing on Windows 11/10 PCs.
One of the many issues users encounter while using Microsoft’s built-in antivirus on their system is that they can’t find Windows defender on their PC/laptops. Users have previously expressed dissatisfaction with Windows 11 Defender being disabled. However, several users were unable to locate the software at all on their PC.
Why Is There No Windows Defender On My Windows 11 PC
If you are wondering why don’t you have Windows defender on your Windows 11 PC?
- This could be due to many reasons including malware invasion and service issues.
- Additionally, modifications to the registry that disable Windows Defender could be the root of the problem.
With all said, now let us see the possible fixes for the issue.
Read Also: Is Windows Defender Good Enough For PC Protection
How to Fix Windows Defender Missing on Windows 11/10 PC
This article describes how to install Windows Defender on Windows 11/10 PC/laptops using the Settings app or PowerShell. So without further ado, Let’s get started.
Method 1: Install Windows Defender via PowerShell
You cannot install Windows Defender like you can other programs since it is not installed on your PC in the same way as other programs. Instead, utilize a PowerShell code to complete the task by following these instructions. It can take five seconds to several minutes to finish.
- Press the Windows key with the key X to open the WinX
- Now from the list, choose Windows terminal (Admin).
- Then paste these exact commands and press the Enter key after each command:
Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage-DisableDevelopmentMode – Register “$($_.InstallLocation) \AppXManifest.xml”}.
All default Windows applications can be reinstalled with the command above. This is extremely helpful if a file error during an update prevented Windows Defender from being installed on Windows 11.
Read Also: What To Do If Windows Defender Keeps Saying Threats Found
Method 2: Repair and install Windows Defender
Windows Defender can occasionally be installed improperly or incompletely. In Windows 11, the command listed below will disassemble every component of the computer and reinstall it from the scratch.
- Press the Windows key with the key X to open the WinX
- Now from the list, choose Windows terminal (Admin).
- Then paste this exact command and press the Enter key:
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.SecHealthUI-AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage
Read Also: How To Enable Ransomware Protection In Windows Defender?
Method 3: Reset Windows Defender
- Press the Windows key with the key I to open Settings and click on
- Now click on Default Apps.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Reset in front of Reset all default apps.
Read Also: How To Clear The Windows Defender Protection History On a PC
To Wrap This Up
So, in this way you can fix this Windows Defender missing on Windows 11/10 PCs. Contrary to several other problems, this one is simple to resolve, as was just explained above. We sincerely hope that this useful advice will help you reactivate Windows Defender to safeguard your computer.
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Next Read: 5 Solutions to Fix the “Windows Defender Failed to Initialize” Issue