Microsoft 365 subscribers will soon see Windows Defender as a new application on their Windows PC, whether they request it or not.

Nowadays, Windows 10 and Windows 11 come with an application called Windows Security by default. This antivirus solution does an excellent job, but with Microsoft Defender, the manufacturer has a solution that scores highly in the biannual AV-TEST antivirus round.

Although you can download Defender from the Microsoft Store, the tech giant wants to make the software available to as many users as possible. Because of this, Neowin will soon install the software by default for all Microsoft 365 subscribers.

Microsoft announces that it will start with the cover at the end of February. Anyone who performs a new installation will automatically receive Defender without a choice. Already have a computer with an active Microsoft 365 account? Then you can soon automatically welcome Microsoft Defender as a new application via an Office update round.

In order to be able to use the application, you must first log in with your Microsoft 365 credentials. By the way, you don’t have to. The default Windows security solution usually works fine. Microsoft Defender, on the other hand, is useful in situations where you have it installed on multiple devices. You will then see a handy dashboard with all your devices.