Malicious Software Protection

Malicious software (malware) protection can help protect your computer against viruses, spyware, and other security threats. Security Center checks if your computer is using up-to-date antispyware and antivirus software. If your antivirus or antispyware software is turned off or out of date, Security Center will display a notification and put a Security Center icon Security Center icon in the notification area.

To install or update your anti-malware software:

  1. Open Security Center.

  2. Click Malware protection, click the button under Virus protection or Spyware and other malware protection, and then choose the option that you want.

Note: Windows does not detect all antivirus and antispyware software. If you are sure that you have anti-malware software installed, it is turned on, and it is up to date, you can click I have an antivirus program that I'll monitor myself or I have an antispyware program that I'll monitor myself to stop receiving notifications from Security Center about your anti-malware software. If you do this, Windows will not monitor your anti-malware software status or alert you if it is off.

Note: This information provided by Microsoft.