How to Restore Windows Defender

This wikiHow will teach you how to restore Windows Defender to default settings in Windows 10 using Windows Security settings or Control Panel.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
Using Windows Security

  1. Image titled Restore Windows Defender Step 1
    1
    Open Windows Security. Press Win + I (that's an uppercase i) to open Settings, then click Update & Security > Windows Security > Open Windows Security.
  2. Image titled Restore Windows Defender Step 2
    2
    Click Firewall & network protection. It's in the tile with the signal icon.
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  3. Image titled Restore Windows Defender Step 3
    3
    Click Restore firewalls to default. This will restore any changes you've made to the default settings for Windows Defender.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
Using Control Panel

  1. Image titled Restore Windows Defender Step 4
    1
    Open Control Panel. You can search for this by pressing the Windows key then typing "Control Panel" and then clicking the app result.
  2. Image titled Restore Windows Defender Step 5
    2
    Click Windows Defender Firewall. It's next to an icon of a brick wall in front of a globe.
  3. Image titled Restore Windows Defender Step 6
    3
    Click Restore Defaults. You'll need to click Restore defaults again when prompted, then click Yes to confirm. Once you have done that, your default settings will be restored to your Windows Defender settings.[1]
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.majorgeeks.com/content/page/how_to_restore_or_reset_default_windows_defender_firewall_settings.html

About This Article

Darlene Antonelli, MA
Written by:
Darlene Antonelli, MA
Tech Specialist
This article was written by Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities. This article has been viewed 2,741 times.
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Co-authors: 5
Updated: March 20, 2021
Views: 2,741
Categories: Windows 10
Article SummaryX

1. Open Windows Security.
2. Click Firewall & network protection.
3. Click Restore firewalls to default.

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