Defender: Update deletes shortcuts in start menu & taskbar

An update for Microsoft Defender ensures that some shortcuts in the start menu and in the taskbar of Windows 10 and 11 are no longer displayed correctly. The Redmond company has since investigated the bug and withdrawn the erroneous rule.

Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems are affected by the error. Some users have noticed in the last few days that program icons have disappeared from the desktop, taskbar and start menu. born city According to Microsoft, an ASR (Attack Surface Reduction) rule in Defender is responsible for the problems. The corresponding rule is called “Block Win32 API calls from Office macro” and was delivered with the signature update 1.381.2140.

In addition to the no longer available shortcuts, the option to start Office programs and the Edge browser should be missing after installing the update. The error may also be related to the removed shortcuts.

To stop further spread, Microsoft has withdrawn the rule. If the signature update has already been installed, it can take a few hours before the affected ASR rule is removed from the computer again.

Users have to create new shortcuts

It is currently not possible to restore the links automatically. Affected administrators can loud desk modder open the command prompt, navigate to the path “C:\Program Files\Windows Defender” and run the command “MpCmdRun.exe -RemoveDefinitions”. The shortcuts can then be reattached. The apps must be manually selected and added to the start menu or taskbar.

See also:

Security, Security, Malware, Antivirus, Cybersecurity, Anti-Virus, Windows Defender, anti-malware, Defender, Antivirus Software, Microsoft Defender, Anti-Virus Software, Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection, Windows Antivirus, Windows Defender Security Center, Windows Shield