Quick Guide: Windows Defender and Windows Security

Ithaca College IT provides an anti-virus/anti-malware program from Microsoft for all college-owned Windows and macOS computers. For Windows, the program is called either Windows Defender or Windows Security. macOS will use Microsoft Defender. This guide describes how to scan your computer using this software to search for malicious programs.

Audience

This article is intended for all users of college-owned PCs.

Platform

Windows 10 and Windows 11, macOS

Contents

Windows 10 and Windows 11

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Start typing Windows Security. (Blue Shield icon)
  3. When Windows Security appears under Programs, click it.
  4. Click the Virus & threat protection icon, which is the leftmost option.
  5. Click Protection Updates towards the bottom of the page.
  6. Click Check for Updates.
  7. Once updates are installed, click Virus & threat protection in the top left corner of the window.
  8. Select Quick Scan to scan part of your computer now or Scan options for more scanning types.
    1. Under Scan options, you can select a full scan, custom scan, or Windows Defender Offline scan. Quick scan searches only some parts of your computer chosen by Microsoft, full scan searches every file and folder, and ­custom scan searches a folder and subfolders of your choosing. Full is generally the best choice.
  9. Wait until the scan is finished.

macOS

On the right side of the Menu bar, is a Shield Icon, which is Microsoft Defender. 

  1. Click on the Shield icon in the menu bar to get the Microsoft Defender options.
  2. Click on Open Microsoft Defender
  3. Click Check for updates towards the bottom of the window.
  4. In Virus & threat protection updates select Check for Updates, and allow time for Defender to find and install the security updates.
  5. Once updates are installed, click the back arrow at the top of the Window
  6. Select Quick scan to scan part of your computer now or Scan options for more scanning types.
    1. Under Scan options, you can select a quick scan, full scan, or custom scan. Quick scan searches only some parts of your computer chosen by Microsoft, full scan searches every file and folder, and ­custom scan searches a folder and subfolders of your choosing. Full is generally the best choice.
  7. Wait until the scan is finished.

Click on the shield icon in the menu bar to get the Windows Defender options below

  • Action recommended
    Any found infections or if Microsoft Defender requires an update will show up here. 
  • Quick Scan
    Use this to run a quick scan of your assigned IC device
  • Protection history
    Lists the scans ran on your IC device along with threats found, files scanned and quarantined threats
  • Open Microsoft Defender
    Opens Microsoft Defender to change scan options and show if there are any updates for Microsoft Defender.
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