Windows Defender improvements included in build 15046

Mar 1, 2017 07:14 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft shipped Windows 10 build 15046 to insiders earlier today, and some of the improvements that are included concern Windows Defender, the antivirus that’s installed by default in the operating system.

The software giant is updating Windows Defender to Windows Defender Security Center, which is more like a security hub providing access to all security features on Windows 10, including not only virus scanning tools but also parental controls and other utilities.

And in the latest Windows 10 Creators Update build, Microsoft is implementing more refinements to improve the experience with the security app, and it all starts with a new system tray icon showing the protection status of your computer.

This is a feature that is available in most third-party antivirus solutions, and seeing it offered in Windows Defender is definitely an important step ahead, mostly because Microsoft is aiming at providing users with advanced antivirus protection, similar to what third parties are offering right now.

Windows Defender now easier to launch

The same icon in the system tray allows users to launch the application, which is a behavior that perfectly makes sense, but at the same time, the notifications that the Windows Defender antivirus is showing in the Action Center are also leading to the Windows Defender Security Center when clicked.

Microsoft is betting big on making Windows Defender easier to launch, so starting with this build, users can also access the antivirus straight from the Settings app. Microsoft says the App and Browser page is now fully functional, so the application is taking shape quite nicely.

Windows Defender is evolving, there’s no doubt about that, and all users should get these improvements with the upcoming Creators Update coming in April. Microsoft is still fixing bugs and refining performance before compiling the final RTM build, which, according to sources, should be ready to ship to insiders later this month.

This new build is only available for the Fast ring for the time being, but Microsoft could ship it to the Slow ring as well depending on the feedback it receives.