Defender Update improves protection right after Windows installation

Microsoft has released a new Defender Anti-Malware update package for Windows OS installation images. In addition to improved security, the update should also lead to improved performance in some cases.

That reports that Online magazine Neowin. The new update package has therefore become necessary because a Windows installation image can contain old, outdated anti-malware definitions and software binaries. This new version or update is specially designed for Windows Imaging Format (WIM) and VHD (Virtual Hard Disk) format.

Windows 11, all editions of Windows 10, Windows Server 2016 and 2019 are supported. Microsoft provides the latest security definitions for Windows images via Security Intelligence Update Version 1.385.1537.0. The version of the Defender package is 20230330.2. In the support document describing the new update, Microsoft writes:

Outdated anti-malware binaries

“During the first hours of a freshly installed Windows installation, the system can be vulnerable due to a Microsoft Defender vulnerability. This is because the operating system installation images may contain outdated anti-malware software binaries.”

Devices using either Windows’ built-in antivirus or some other security solution may benefit from these updates.

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