Activating Windows Defender and system protection

 Activating Windows Defender and System Protection in Windows 11

Windows Defender, now known as Microsoft Defender, is an integrated security feature in Windows 11 that provides real-time protection against malware, viruses, and other threats. In addition, System Protection allows you to create restore points to help recover your system in case of issues. Here’s a detailed guide on how to activate both features.

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Activating Microsoft Defender

Step 1: Open Windows Security

1. Access the Start Menu:
• Click on the Start button (Windows logo) in the taskbar.
2. Open Windows Security:
• Type Windows Security in the search bar and select the corresponding result from the list.

Step 2: Enable Microsoft Defender

1. Navigate to Virus & Threat Protection:
• In the Windows Security window, click on Virus & threat protection on the left sidebar.
2. Check Protection Status:
• If Microsoft Defender is not already activated, you will see a notification indicating that the app is turned off.
• Click on the Manage settings link under the Virus & threat protection settings section.
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3. Turn on Real-Time Protection:
• Toggle the switch under Real-time protection to On. This activates Microsoft Defender’s real-time scanning features.

Step 3: Configure Additional Settings

1. Enable Cloud-Delivered Protection:
• While still in the Virus & threat protection settings, scroll down and ensure that Cloud-delivered protection is also turned on. This feature provides additional security by leveraging cloud intelligence.
2. Check for Updates:
• Click on the Check for updates link to ensure Microsoft Defender is up to date with the latest definitions and security features.

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Activating System Protection

System Protection allows you to create restore points that can be used to revert your system to a previous state in case of problems.

Step 1: Open System Properties

1. Access Settings:
• Right-click the Start button and select System from the context menu.
• In the System window, click on About in the left sidebar.
2. Open System Protection:
• Scroll down and click on the Advanced system settings link on the right side. This opens the System Properties window.
• Go to the System Protection tab.

Step 2: Configure System Protection

1. Select the System Drive:
• In the System Properties window, you’ll see a list of available drives. Select the system drive (usually C:).
2. Configure Protection Settings:
• Click on the Configure button.
• In the System Protection dialog, you will see two options:
• Disable system protection: This option will turn off protection for the selected drive.
• Restore system settings and previous versions of files: This option allows you to enable protection.
• Select the option to Restore system settings and previous versions of files.
3. Adjust Disk Space Usage:
• You can adjust the maximum disk space used for system protection by moving the slider. This determines how much space is allocated for restore points.
• Click OK to apply your changes.

Step 3: Create a Restore Point

1. Create a Restore Point:
• While still in the System Protection tab, click on the Create button.
• Enter a description for the restore point (e.g., "Before installing new software") and click Create again.
• A message will appear when the restore point is successfully created.

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Conclusion

Activating Microsoft Defender and System Protection in Windows 11 is essential for maintaining your system’s security and ensuring that you can recover from potential issues. By following these steps, you can enable real-time protection against threats and create restore points to safeguard your system. Regularly check for updates and create restore points, especially before making significant changes to your system, to ensure a smooth and secure experience in Windows 11.