Updating your Microsoft antimalware and antispyware software

This page explains how updates work and where to get them.

If you don't already have Microsoft security software, or you want to reinstall it, see our software download page.

If you're using Windows XP, see our Windows XP end of support page.

For a list of the latest updates see the change log.


Windows will automatically download and install updates once a day for you.

If automatic updates aren't working there might be an issue with your PC:

You can also force a download of 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 a more recent update (usually uploaded to this page within the last three hours), you can manually download and install it.


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.
Screenshot of the Update tab on Microsoft security software

 

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.

Antimalware and antispyware updates

For antimalware and antispyware, the latest definitions are 1.243.475.0, dated May 15, 2017 10:30 PM UTC.

To download these updates:

  • Check whether your version of Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit.
  • 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, mpas-fe.exe, or mpam-feX64.exe).
  • Follow the prompts to install the update.

You can find out more about our products on the Microsoft security software page.

Antivirus and antispyware definitions (choose either 32-bit or 64-bit depending on your computer)
Microsoft Security Essentials32-bit | 64-bit
Windows Defender in Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 32-bit | 64-bit | ARM
Windows Defender in Windows 7 and Windows Vista 32-bit | 64-bit
Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (DaRT) 32-bit | 64-bit
Forefront Client SecurityMore information
Forefront Server Security32-bit | 64-bit
Forefront Endpoint Protection32-bit | 64-bit
System Center 2012 Configuration Manager32-bit | 64-bit
System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection32-bit | 64-bit
Windows Intune32-bit | 64-bit

End of life for Microsoft Forefront Client Security was on July 14th 2015. Customers are encouraged to migrate to System Center Endpoint Protection.

For more information see the Forefront Client Security entry at the Microsoft Support Lifecycle site.

You can download the last available definition package, dated July 14th, 2015 for 32-bit or 64-bit. Note that this package will not include any newer updates made after July 14th, 2015, and may leave your PC unprotected.


Network Inspection System updates


You can also download Network Inspection System (NIS) updates for:

  • Microsoft Security Essentials
  • Forefront Endpoint Protection
  • 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:

  • 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 10 and Windows 8.1, search for Windows Defender:

    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 10 and Windows 8.1, search for Windows Defender

  • Click the arrow next to Help and choose About:

    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:

If you have a version number lower than 4.1.522.0, you must download the Network Inspection Service definitions: