How to update Microsoft Defender Antivirus inside an install image of Windows 10
You can update Microsoft Defender inside a Windows 10 installation image, and in this guide, we’ll show you the steps to complete this task.
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Although after the installation ofWindows 10, the built-in version of Microsoft Defender Antivirus will download and apply the most recent updates automatically, the process does not happen immediately, leaving the system temporarily vulnerable to attacks during this period.
Since it could be many hours before the system receives the update,Microsoft createda tool, which allows system administrators (and technical users) to service an image to maintain an updated version of the anti-malware solution, even before deployment with a few commands reducing exposure.
The solution is available for Windows 10 Home, Pro, and Enterprise as well as for Windows Server 2019 and 2016. It includes the most recent updates (until the release of the standalone package) and a PowerShell script that automates the process to update the installation image (install.wim) or Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) files.
In this Windows 10 guide, we will walk you through the steps to update an installation image with the latest security intelligence package available since the tool’s release.
How to update Microsoft Defender on Windows 10 image
To update the Microsoft Defender Antivirus for system installation image, use the steps:
Once you complete the steps, the PowerShell script will update the Windows 10 image with the most recent platform, engine, and signature version of Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
At the time of this writing, the solution updates Microsoft Defender to version 1.1.2102.3, platform version 4.18.2011.6, engine version 1.1.17800.5, and signature version 1.331.174.0.
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How to view Microsoft Defender update details on Windows 10 image
To confirm the Microsoft Defender Antivirus update details inside the image, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the output should list the update applied to the images, including package, security, engine, and platform version.
How to remove Microsoft Defender update on Windows 10 image
To remove the recently applied antivirus update, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the script should remove the recently applied antivirus update on the Windows 10 image you specified in the command.
This process should work without issues on most devices running the most recent version of Windows 10. However, if you have problems running the commands, double-check you are typing the command correctly, and make sure you are using PowerShell version 5.1 with the “Microsoft.Powershell.Security” and DISM modules installed.
Alternatively, you can also quickly trigger the antivirus update usingPowerShell commandsandCommand Prompt commands.
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
