Old Windows Defender on my Laptop


  1. Posts : 194
    Windows 10
       #1

    Old Windows Defender on my Laptop


    I noticed by random, that I am still stuck on version 4.12.16299.15 of Antimalware-Clientversion of Windows Defender on my Laptop. My tablets and Desktop all are on 4.12.17007.17123. How does this come? Triggering a Windows Update doesnt find any updates, nor does a C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe -SignatureUpdate. Is this normal?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,895
    Win10 Version 22H2 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home
       #2

    I have the same 'engine' on my fully-up-to-date ASUS Notebook with OS Version 1709 Build 16299.192. The engine is the program but it needs to be kept up-to-date with the definitions which may happen more often than getting build updates, especially if the computer is left on. Apparently the engine itself hasn't yet needed to be updated or replaced. The next Version release may or may not have such a change.
    Windows Key + R, type winver.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 194
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    winver shows all the same on all devices, 1709 (build 16299.192)

    https://i.imgur.com/GaKRkAx.png (all other)
    https://i.imgur.com/AybKDtd.png (laptop)
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 31,459
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #4

    gorgor said:
    I noticed by random, that I am still stuck on version 4.12.16299.15 of Antimalware-Clientversion of Windows Defender on my Laptop. My tablets and Desktop all are on 4.12.17007.17123. How does this come? Triggering a Windows Update doesnt find any updates, nor does a C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe -SignatureUpdate. Is this normal?

    There are two parts to Defender, the visible bit is the 'Windows Defender Security Centre' and that is the part called the 'antimalware client'. The critical bit is the part you don't see - the scan engine. This is the 'Engine version' (your 'moduleversion'). Both were updated early in December, but it appears that the antimalware client update was withdrawn some weeks later (apparently a path change cause some users problems). This is not a critical security risk, it's just the visible interface to control Defender's settings.

    The critical security patch was in the scan engine, and all your PCs are up to date and show the same Engine Version: 1.1.14405.2 so you have nothing to worry about.
    Microsoft has just released an emergency security patch
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 194
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    What does that mean? That all my PCs but my laptop are at risk because I have a broken version on them? Why werent they patched back?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 31,459
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #6

    gorgor said:
    What does that mean? That all my PCs but my laptop are at risk because I have a broken version on them?
    No, it means that all your PCs are fully protected by the latest version of the scan engine, version 1.1.14405.2

    The client is just the interface that you use to control it, there is no security risk in having a slightly older antimalware client.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 194
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    that still doesnt answer my question. why do they differ.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,481
    Windows 10 Pro 64bit 20H2 19042.844
       #8

    is your tablet and Desktop on Windows Insider Preview? as that engine/client is upgrade higher than the Retail Client, but you should still be protected perfectly fine.. I could be wrong on that theory just started using Windows Defender again today
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 194
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    no theyre not.
      My Computer


 

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