To avoid cumbersome update processes for users, Microsoft restores Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating system installation media from time to time, more specifically Windows 11 22H2 and Windows 10 22H2. The most recent images, which were released in mid-May, included that month’s Patch Tuesday.

After the May update, the Redmond giant updated the Microsoft Defender package on the Windows 11 Windows Imaging Format (WIM) installation media and virtual hard disk (VHD) through a feature that can be used from Windows 11, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016 and Wnidows 10 in Enterprise, Pro and Home editions.

The reason for updating Microsoft Defender is of course security, especially since the installation media, if not up-to-date, contains an older version of the anti-malware, which may contain software binaries and definitions that are out of date. day, leading to potential security holes that can be exploited by malicious actors. Another thing to keep in mind is that the latest Defender updates also include performance-level fixes.

The company explains that the new version of the Microsoft Defender package includes Updates and fixes for the engine and platform used by Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows 11plus the latest security intelligence updates.

Diving into more specifics, Microsoft Defender package version 20230604.1 updates the antimalware client, antimalware engine, signature versions to the following versions: platform to version 4.18.23050.3, engine from version to 1.1.23050.3, and security intelligence to version 1.391.476.0. Approximate packet sizes are as follows depending on the architecture: 74 MB for ARM64, 126 MB for x86 32-bit, and 129 MB for x86 64-bit.

The Microsoft Defender package itself can be updated using the patch tool DefenderUpdateWinImage.ps1 and meeting the following requirements: modules using Windows 10 or later along with PowerShell 5.1 or later Microsoft.Powershell.Security and DISM must be installed and PowerShell must be run with administrator privileges.

Microsoft explains that devices that use Windows’ built-in antivirus or other security solutions can benefit from the Defender update. All the details were published in a support article on the company’s website.