Windows Defender getting overhauled in Creators Update

Jan 24, 2017 06:13 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has already shipped a modern version of Windows Defender to users participating in the Windows Insider program, and now the company is announcing that the antivirus is becoming the Windows Defender Security Center to serve as the central hub of everything security.

Just like we’ve already seen in the existing builds of Windows 10, the new Windows Defender app, which will soon be called Windows Defender Security Center, will integrate more than just basic malware scanning capabilities.

The application will indeed boast virus and threat protection, but at the same time, it will also offer tools for checking and improving device performance and health. Windows Defender will thus be able to view if any Windows updates are available, check for new drivers, see the current status of the battery, and get a glimpse into storage statistics.

More features for Windows Defender

Additionally, users will also be provided with firewall and network protection tools, app and browser controls, and family options to give parents an easy way to manage the time their children spend on the computer.

“Our goal with the new Windows Defender Security Center is to help you become more informed and make safety simple. It is equally important to us that you are protected by default and continuously protected - never giving the bad guys an opportunity to harm you,” Microsoft explains.

Windows Defender will also get along very well with other antivirus solutions in Windows 10, and the Security Center will allow you to launch the third-party security product straight from its main screen, should you want to perform a quick scan.

Additionally, Windows Defender Security Center will automatically kick in when the license of your third-party antivirus expires, so the computer remains protected all the time.

The Windows 10 Creators Update will go live in April, so the new Windows 10 Security Center will become available to all users on Windows in just a few months. In the meantime, insiders can already get a glimpse into this new feature by installing the latest build released as part of the Fast ring.