How To Update your Microsoft antimalware and antispyware software
Windows will automatically download and install updates for your Microsoft security software.You don't need to do anything, and you'll
receive a new update once a day if your
computer is regularly connected to the
Internet.
If automatic updates aren't working there might be an issue with your PC:
- Fix a problem with Microsoft Windows Update
- Reset Windows Update components
Some malware can turn off Microsoft Update. In this case you might need to use the Microsoft Safety Scanner or, for more stubborn malware, Windows Defender Offline.
You can also force Windows or your software to download and install the latest daily update. This is the same as when Windows automatically downloads the update, and can be useful if you aren't always connected to the Internet or haven't turned your PC on for a few days.
If you want the absolutely latest updates, you can manually download and install them.
Force a daily update
If you want Windows to update your software, go to Windows Update or:
- Open your Microsoft security software.
- Click the Update tab.
- Click the Update button.
Because these updates change once a day, the definition version might be different to what is shown on this page, even after you've clicked the Update button.
Usually, updating once a day gives you a good level of protection, and it prevents us from constantly updating your software and interfering with how you use your PC.
Sometimes you might want to update more often. This can be helpful if you have hard-to-remove malware, Windows update isn't working properly, or you aren't always connected to the Internet.
Manually download the latest updates
If you need to get the latest updates available, you can download and install them from here.
For all Microsoft security software, you will need to download the antimalware and antispyware updates.
If you have Microsoft Security Essentials, Forefront Endpoint Protection or System Center 2013 Endpoint Protection, you can also download Network Inspection System updates separately.
For all Microsoft security software, you will need to download the antimalware and antispyware updates.
If you have Microsoft Security Essentials, Forefront Endpoint Protection or System Center 2013 Endpoint Protection, you can also download Network Inspection System updates separately.
Antimalware and antispyware updates
For antimalware and antispyware, the latest definitions are 1.165.1641.0, dated Jan 11, 2014 03:53 AM UTC.
To download these updates:
- In the table below, right-click on the link that will work for your version of Windows and choose Save target as... or Save link as...
- Save the file to your Desktop.
- When the file has finished downloading, go to your Desktop and double-click the file (it will be called mpam-fe.exe or mpas-fe.exe).
- Follow the prompts to install the update.
Network Inspection System updates
You can also download Network Inspection System (NIS) updates for Microsoft Security Essentials, Forefront Endpoint Protection, and System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection.
These updates are designed to protect you from exploits and network infections, and are automatically included in other Microsoft security software.
The version of your Microsoft security software determines which type of NIS definitions you must download.
To determine your version:
These updates are designed to protect you from exploits and network infections, and are automatically included in other Microsoft security software.
The version of your Microsoft security software determines which type of NIS definitions you must download.
To determine your version:
- Open your security software by double clicking on the icon in the system tray (you may need to click the arrow to see the icon) or, in Windows 8, search for Windows Defender:
- Click the arrow next to Help and choose About:
- Your software version number is displayed at the line labelled Antimalware Client Version
For version number 4.1.522.0 and above, you must download the Network Realtime Inspection definitions:
- For 32-bit versions of Windows, download 32-bit Network Realtime Inspection definitions
- For 64-bit versions of Windows, download 64-bit Network Realtime Inspection definitions
If you have a version number lower than 4.1.522.0, you must download the Network Inspection Service definitions:
- For 32-bit versions of Windows,
- For 64-bit versions of Windows,
