Helps protect users from malware and other potentially unwanted software.
This service also exists in Windows 7, 8 and Vista.
Windows 10 version | Home | Pro | Education | Enterprise |
---|---|---|---|---|
1507 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
1511 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
1607 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
1703 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
1709 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
1803 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
1809 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
1903 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
1909 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
2004 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
20H2 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
21H1 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
21H2 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
22H2 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
Display name: | Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service |
Service name: | WinDefend |
Type: | own |
Path: | %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe |
Error control: | normal |
Object: | LocalSystem |
Privileges: |
|
The Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service is running as LocalSystem in its own process of MsMpEng.exe. It doesn't share its process with other services. If Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service fails to start, the error is logged. Windows 10 startup proceeds, but a message box is displayed informing you that the WinDefend service has failed to start.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service is unable to start, if the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service is stopped or disabled.
1. Select your Windows 10 edition and release, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreMicrosoftDefenderAntivirusServiceWindows10.bat file to any folder on your hard drive.
3. Right-click the downloaded batch file and select Run as administrator.
4. Restart the computer to save changes.
Note. Make sure that the MsMpEng.exe
file exists in the %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender
folder. If this file is missing you can try to restore it from your Windows 10 installation media.