Windows Defender Mini-Filter Driver - Windows 8 Service
Windows Defender On-Access Malware Protection Mini-Filter Driver.
This service also exists in Windows 10 and 11.
Startup Type
| Windows 8 edition | Windows 8 | Windows 8.1 | Windows 8.1 Update 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | Boot | Boot | Boot |
| Pro | Boot | Boot | Boot |
| Enterprise | Boot | Boot | Boot |
Default Properties
| Display name: | Windows Defender Mini-Filter Driver |
| Service name: | WdFilter |
| Type: | filesys |
| Path: | %WinDir%\system32\drivers\WdFilter.sys |
| Error control: | normal |
| Group: | FSFilter Anti-Virus |
Default Behavior
The Windows Defender Mini-Filter Driver service is a file system driver. If Windows Defender Mini-Filter Driver fails to start, the error is logged. Windows 8 startup proceeds, but a message box is displayed informing you that the WdFilter service has failed to start.
Dependencies
Windows Defender Mini-Filter Driver won't start, if the FltMgr service is stopped or disabled.
Restore Default Startup Type of Windows Defender Mini-Filter Driver
Automated Restore
1. Select your Windows 8 release and edition, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreWindowsDefenderMiniFilterDriverWindows8.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.
Note. Make sure that the WdFilter.sys file exists in the %WinDir%\system32\drivers folder. If this file is missing you can try to restore it from your Windows 8 installation media.