Update now available for Windows 10, Windows Server

Oct 3, 2020 19:17 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has released new Microsoft Defender updates for Windows installation images in order to keep clients protected from the very beginning.

The new update, which can be used for installation images of Microsoft’s latest operating systems, are specifically aimed at Windows 10 Home, Pro, and Enterprise, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019.

“Initial hours of newly installed Windows OS deployments can suffer with Microsoft Defender protection gap, as the installation OS images may contain outdated Anti-Malware Software binaries. These devices will remain under protected until the first Anti-Malware software update finishes. Regular servicing of OS installation images to update Microsoft Defender binaries minimizes this protection gap in new deployments,” Microsoft explains.

Once this update is deployed, the anti-malware client, the engine, and the signature versions are updated automatically.

“This package includes monthly updates and fixes to the Microsoft Defender AntiMalware platform and engine that's used by Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows 10. This package also includes the latest security intelligence update that is available up to the date of release,” Microsoft says.

Don’t use the update for live images

On the other hand, the software giant recommends against using the update for live images, as the company claims that the operating system running in the virtual machine can eventually be damaged.

The package update tool can run on Windows 10 64-bit with PowerShell 5.1. After downloading the update from thee links (32-bit and 64-bit), you can deploy them for a Windows system image using the following command:

PS C:\> DefenderUpdateWinImage.ps1 - WorkingDirectory<path> -Action AddUpdate - ImagePath <path_to_Os_Image> -Package <path_to_package>

Once installed, the following versions should be running on your Windows installation image (needless to say, these will update when Microsoft publishes new packages for its customers):  

  • Platform version: 4.18.2008.9
  • Engine version: 1.1.17400.5
  • Signature version: : 1.323.2216.0