Antivirus software is a crucial tool that protects your computer from malware and other harmful software. With Windows 11 being the latest operating system from Microsoft, many users are wondering where they can find the built-in antivirus software. In this article, we will go over where to find the antivirus in Windows 11 and how to use it.

What is Windows Defender?

Before we dive into where the antivirus is in Windows 11, we need to first understand what it is. Windows Defender is the built-in antivirus software that comes with Windows 11. It provides real-time protection against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

Windows Defender has been around since Windows Vista, and it has come a long way since then. With each new version of Windows, Microsoft has made improvements to the antivirus software, making it more effective at detecting and removing malware.

Where to Find Windows Defender in Windows 11

In Windows 11, you can find Windows Defender in the Settings app. To access Settings, click on the Start menu and then click on the gear icon. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings.

Once you are in Settings, click on the "Privacy & security" option in the left-hand menu. From there, you will see the "Windows Security" option. Click on that to open Windows Defender.

How to Use Windows Defender

Now that you know where to find Windows Defender in Windows 11, let's go over how to use it. The main screen of Windows Defender will show you your protection status, which should say "Your device is being protected by Windows Defender Antivirus."

If you want to perform a quick scan of your system, click on the "Quick scan" button. This will scan the most common areas where malware likes to hide, such as your startup programs and system files.

If you want to perform a full scan of your system, click on the "Scan options" link and then select "Full scan." This will scan your entire system, including all files and folders.

You can also customize your scan settings by clicking on the "Scan options" link and then selecting "Custom scan." Here, you can choose which areas of your system to scan and what actions to take when malware is detected.

Conclusion

Windows Defender is a powerful antivirus software that provides real-time protection against malware. In Windows 11, you can find Windows Defender in the Settings app, under the "Privacy & security" option. From there, you can perform quick, full, or custom scans of your system to keep it protected.

As always, it is important to keep your antivirus software up-to-date to ensure that it can detect the latest threats. With Windows Defender built into Windows 11, you can rest assured that you have a reliable and effective antivirus solution.

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