Skip to main content

Windows 10 Creators Update brings a new Windows Defender Security Center

According to Microsoft, Windows 10 is the most secure Windows ever. Certainly, the company has put a massive amount of resources into improving Windows for quite some time now, with the result that although the threat of malware is greater than ever, Windows 10 is better prepared to help you deal with it.

Microsoft isn’t slowing down in its pursuit of higher security in Windows 10, with the upcoming Creators Update incorporating a number of features to make the operating system safer. A new Windows Defender Security Center is coming in the update, and Microsoft introduced it in a post on the Windows blog.

Recommended Videos

Windows Defender Security Center will bring all of the security protections provided by Windows 10 into one place. Essentially, the new app will make it easier for users to view and control how security is configured, as well as to gain a better understanding of the tools available in Windows 10 to keep user data secure.

Microsoft is breaking Windows 10’s security, health, and only safety experiences into five “pillars,” each of which will have their own section in the Windows Defender Security Center:

  • Virus and threat protection: Whether Windows Defender or a third-party antivirus utility is used, it will show up in this section. Windows Defender’s scan results and threat history will be listed here, or clicking a link to a different antivirus app will launch it from this section.
  • Device performance and health: Information on Windows update status, driver levels, battery life, and storage capacity will be listed in this section. The Refresh Windows option will also be available here for keeping personal files and some Windows settings but otherwise starting fresh with a new Windows 10 install to alleviate performance and stability issues.
  • Firewall and network protection: This section will provide information on how the Windows Firewall is configured, with links to network troubleshooting information.
  • App and browser control: Users will be able to adjust SmartScreen settings for apps and browsers, to help them be more informative and safe with warnings regarding potentially malicious sites and downloaded apps and files.
  • Family options: Windows 10 has a fairly robust set of parental control tools and settings, and information on them will be included in this section. Options such as setting time limits and controlling app and game purchases will be available, along with reports on device health and safety.

Clearly, Microsoft wants to make it easier for users to access and control Windows 10 security. This follows changes to privacy settings and options that were recently turned on and that will also be coming in Creators Update, making Windows 10 an even more safe and secure OS.

Mark Coppock
Mark Coppock is a Freelance Writer at Digital Trends covering primarily laptop and other computing technologies. He has…
Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: Is it finally time to update?
Microsoft Surface Laptop 2 sitting on a table.

Windows 11 is the newest version of Windows, and it's one of the best Windows versions ever released. It draws on its predecessors, like Windows 10, but today it's very much its own operating system, with a unique look, advanced features, and the most secure and stable platform for modern Windows application.

If you've been holding out on upgrading, or aren't running the latest version, we have everything you need to know about the most recent version of Windows 11.
Windows 11 2024 update (24H2)
The latest version of Windows 11, is the 2024 update known as 24H2. It initially rolled out to Windows Insiders in February 2024, but has since been released to the wider Windows user base starting October 1. It introduced a number of new and enhanced features to Windows, improving its fundamentals, as well as adding new capabilities, especially those running it on Copilot+ PCs and laptops.

Read more
You have one year to safely use Windows 10 before you’ll need to pay
Windows 11 logo on a laptop.

Microsoft will be allowing consumers to join its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for the first time next year, and it announced the program pricing today in a blog post. The official end-of-service date for Windows 10 is October 14, 2025, but by paying $30 to join the ESU program, you can receive an extra year of security updates. This will allow you to continue safely using Windows 10 until around October 2026, a full two years from now.

By the time support for Windows 10 ends, it will be almost exactly four years since Windows 11 launched and a decade since Windows 10 launched. It takes a lot of work to keep an operating system secure and running smoothly, which is why a company like Microsoft can't just endlessly support every version of Windows it's ever shipped. It would end up costing a lot more money than it made -- and that's not how businesses function.

Read more
Microsoft is forced to halt the Windows 11 24H2 update on some PCs
The Surface Pro 11 on a white table in front of a window.

Microsoft’s recent Windows 11 24H2 update is off to a bumpy start. According to a report by Bleeping Computer, users are facing compatibility issues across various hardware and software configurations, prompting the company to temporarily block the update for some devices.

The affected systems include specific Asus laptop models and configurations involving software like Voicemeeter, Safe Exam Browser, and older versions of Easy Anti-Cheat, commonly used in gaming.

Read more