SOLVED: How to Make Windows Defender to Update Automatically
There are two ways to set Windows Defender (Security Essentials) to automatically update and the first is to set WINDOWS UPDATE to automatically install all updates. The other way is to create a new SCHEDULED TASK:
Click START and type TASK and then click on TASK SCHEDULER
Right click on TASK SCHEDULER LIBRARY and select CREATE NEW BASIC TASK
Type a name like UPDATE DEFENDER, and click the NEXT button
Leave the TRIGGER setting to DAILY, and click the NEXT button
Leave the DAILY setting to RECUR EVERY 1 DAYS, and click the NEXT button
Leave the ACTION on START A PROGRAM, and click the NEXT button
In the PROGRAM/SCRIPT field enter: “C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MpCmdRun.exe” (the quotes ARE required)
In the ADD ARGUMENTS enter -SignatureUpdate (no quotes), and click the NEXT button
Click the FINISH button to complete the task
Double click on the task and select from the GENERAL TAB, select RUN WHETHER USER IS LOGGED IN OR NOT, click OK and enter the password for your account.
Note that you can change the schedule of this task to more than once a day (or less I suppose) by double clicking on it and selecting the TRIGGERS tab.
So many software installation automatically add a task scheduler entry for their various call-home acts and to update them.
Could you or someone post a script that would just directly add such a task scheduler entry 1. to update windows defender virus definitions, to quick scan the pc - both weekly and automatically?
Thanks.
Thank you it worked for me!
Hi Ian! how do we know that it works?
Hi Seth;
In the WINDOWS SECURITY CENTER, click VIRUS & TREAT PROTECTION, then scroll to VIRUS & TREAT PROTECTION UPDATES and check the LAST UPDATE date/time. :)
Hello what account do you use to launch the task?
Hi Roy;
An admin account. We usually use a domain administrator account but you could use a local admin account.
what should i do if the RUN WHETHER USER IS LOGGED IN OR NOT function is disabled
Hi Suneetha; Two thing come to mind. 1: When you launch TASK SCHEDULER make sure you right click on it and select RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR 2: Go back into the task AFTER it is created and see if you can change the LOGGED IN OR NOT option is now available.
View Comments
So many software installation automatically add a task scheduler entry for their various call-home acts and to update them.
Could you or someone post a script that would just directly add such a task scheduler entry 1. to update windows defender virus definitions, to quick scan the pc - both weekly and automatically?
Thanks.
Thank you it worked for me!
Hi Ian! how do we know that it works?
Hi Seth;
In the WINDOWS SECURITY CENTER, click VIRUS & TREAT PROTECTION, then scroll to VIRUS & TREAT PROTECTION UPDATES and check the LAST UPDATE date/time. :)
Hello what account do you use to launch the task?
Hi Roy;
An admin account. We usually use a domain administrator account but you could use a local admin account.
what should i do if the RUN WHETHER USER IS LOGGED IN OR NOT function is disabled
Hi Suneetha; Two thing come to mind. 1: When you launch TASK SCHEDULER make sure you right click on it and select RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR 2: Go back into the task AFTER it is created and see if you can change the LOGGED IN OR NOT option is now available.