How to Update Security Intelligence Definition Version for Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows 10


Microsoft Defender Antivirus is a built-in antimalware solution that provides next generation protection for desktops, portable computers, and servers.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus uses security intelligence to detect threats. Windows 10 will try to automatically download the most recent intelligence via Windows Update to protect your device against the newest threats.

You can also manually check for updates. A manually triggered update immediately downloads and applies the latest security intelligence. This process might also address problems with automatic updates. Microsoft Defender Antivirus and other Microsoft antimalware solutions provide a way to manually trigger an update.

See also:

• Security intelligence updates for Microsoft Defender Antivirus and other Microsoft antimalware | Microsoft Security Intelligence
• Change logs for security intelligence update versions | Microsoft Security Intelligence

This tutorial will show you different ways to check for and install the latest Microsoft Defender Antivirus antimalware platform and Microsoft security intelligence definition updates for Windows Microsoft Antivirus in Windows 10.

Contents

• Option One: Update Security Intelligence Definition version for Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows Update
• Option Two: Update Security Intelligence Definition version for Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows Security
• Option Three: Update Security Intelligence Definition version for Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Command Prompt
• Option Four: Update Security Intelligence Definition version for Microsoft Defender Antivirus by Manual Download

OPTION ONE

Update Security Intelligence Definition version for Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows Update

1 Open Settings, and click/tap on the Update & Security icon.

2 Click/tap on the Check for updates button on the right side. (see screenshot below)

3 If a new Definition update for Microsoft Defender Antivirus is available, it will automatically download and install along with any other available updates. (see screenshots below)

4 When finished, you can close the Windows Update settings page if you like.

OPTION TWO

Update Security Intelligence Definition version for Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows Security

1 Open Windows Security, and click/tap on the Virus & threat protection icon. (see screenshot below)

2 Click/tap on the Check for updates link under Virus & threat protection updates. (see screenshot below)

3 Click/tap on the Check for updates button. (see screenshot below)

4 If a new security intelligence definition update is available, it will automatically download and install. (see screenshot below)

5 When finished, you can close Windows Security if you like.

OPTION THREE

Update Security Intelligence Definition version for Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Command Prompt

1 Open an elevated command prompt.

2 Copy and paste the command below into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe" -removedefinitions -dynamicsignatures

This command will clear the current cache.

3 Copy and paste the command below into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe" -SignatureUpdate

This command will trigger to check for an update and install if a new version is available.

4 When finished, you can close the elevated command prompt if you like.

OPTION FOUR

Update Security Intelligence Definition version for Microsoft Defender Antivirus by Manual Download

1 Go to the Security intelligence updates for Windows Defender Antivirus and other Microsoft antimalware (click on link) Microsoft website.

2 Scroll down to the Manually download the update section. Click/tap on the 32-bit, 64-bit, or ARM Microsoft Defender Antivirus for Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 download link for your system type. (see screenshot below)

You will see the latest security intelligence definition version and its release date.

3 Save the mpam-fe.exe file to your desktop.

4 Run the mpam-fe.exe file.

That's it,
Shawn Brink

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