Helps protect users from malware and other potentially unwanted software.
This service also exists in Windows 10, 7, 8 and Vista.
Windows 11 version | Home | Pro | Education | Enterprise |
---|---|---|---|---|
21H2 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
22H2 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
23H2 | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
24H2 | 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 11 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 11 edition and release, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreMicrosoftDefenderAntivirusServiceWindows11.bat file to any folder on a local drive such as SSD or a hard disk.
3. Right-click the downloaded batch file and select Properties.
4. Check the Unblock checkbox and click OK.
5. Right-click the batch file again and select Run as administrator.
6. 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 11 installation media.