Navigating Windows security, identifying your Windows Defender version. Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and if your Windows Defender isn't up to date, your system will always be at risk. But to update it, you must first check its version. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to Ninja One's IT Video Hub for more tech content like this. What is Windows Defender? Microsoft's Windows Defender is a built-in security feature in the Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems. That protects your computer by continuously scanning it for suspicious activities and files. As cyber criminals become more sophisticated, keeping your Windows defender up to date is one of the best ways to stay ahead of them. But to do this, you need to first identify your system's current Windows Defender version, how to check your Windows Defender version. Now let's walk through how to identify your Windows Defender version in three easy steps. Open the Windows Security app by searching window security in the start menu. Once you're in the app, navigate to virus and threat protection and scroll down to protection updates. Find your Windows Defender version number under security intelligence version. You can also check your Windows security version through PowerShell, Open PowerShell. Type in get dash MP computer status and hit Enter. Navigate to AM product version Troubleshooting common Windows defender issues. Let's go over some common Windows Defender issues and how to fix them quickly. If Windows Defender won't start because of a conflicting antivirus, uninstall the software on your computer and run a Windows Defender system scan. If your Windows Defender isn't updating automatically, you can manually update it by opening the Windows Security app and clicking the check for updates button in the virus and threat protection section. If your Windows Defender keeps flagging legitimate files as malicious, exclude those files from the Windows Defender scans. And there you have it. You're now ready to update your Windows Defender. For more information, check out our official blog post on Windows Security linked in the description below.