Did Microsoft Defender appear on your computer? It’s not a coincidence, and it’s not even about the built-in antivirus you’ll find in every regular Windows installation. Last summer we saw the program itself, which is called Microsoft Defender and is a paid antivirus add-on for those who pay for Microsoft 365.
Microsoft did not explain why the products have the same name. We just know that the company likes to confuse people with the same or very similar named products that have different properties. Today’s Windows generally hide the name of the integrated antivirus, so the situation may not be so dramatic.
However, questions arise because the new Defender appears on computers by itself. In recent days, it has broken out for me personally both on a desktop with Windows 10 and on a laptop with Windows 11. As noticed on NeowinuMicrosoft provides an explanation on the support websitealthough he is silent on his many blogs.
Microsoft Defender is installed on Windows computers with a Microsoft 365 subscription
At the end of February, the new Defender it becomes part of the Microsoft 365 installation program. Therefore, the named application is also installed with the update of the office suite. It will show you summary information about the security of your computer, but also of connected devices, including those in your family. This also includes mobile phones. There is also a web interface at mydefender.microsoft.com.
If you don’t care about Defender, uninstall it, it won’t affect the integrated antivirus. We don’t know if it will be reinstalled with the next Office update, but we’ll find out soon.
Resources: Microsoft Support via Neowin
