Protecting a family's laptops and phones and want one place to see whether they're all safe? The Microsoft Defender app, included with Microsoft 365 Personal and Family, shows the security status of your Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone devices together. It does not replace Windows Security, the antivirus already built into Windows.
Device and account monitoring
The main screen displays the status of the Windows computer and other devices added to the account. In the US, identity theft and credit monitoring watches for your personal details in data breaches. The built-in VPN (Privacy Protection) was discontinued on February 28, 2025. This gives households with multiple devices one place to check those protection details.
Microsoft Defender covers devices running Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS. The app is part of Microsoft 365 protection management, so using it requires a Microsoft 365 subscription.
What happens when Defender finds a threat?
On Windows it reports what the built-in antivirus finds in downloads, USB drives and running programs, and lets you remove a flagged file or allow it if you trust it. A record of protection events remains available in the app, making it possible to see which items were handled.
Using the dashboard
Start from the main screen to review the status of the current computer and any other devices added to Defender. Account monitoring is another part of the dashboard: email addresses and card numbers can be watched for breach alerts. Each detection stays in the protection history with the action taken.
- Check device status across supported platforms.
- Review breach alerts for monitored account details.
- Look through recorded detections and the action taken.
Pros
- Shows security status for Windows and other added devices
- Identity theft and credit monitoring (US only)
- Keeps a history of detected threats and their handling
Cons
- Identity theft monitoring only in the US
- VPN feature was removed in 2025
- Adds little on a single Windows PC beyond Windows Security
System requirements: Windows 10, Windows 11 · ARM64 and x64
Is Microsoft Defender the same as Windows Security?
No. The Microsoft Defender app manages Microsoft 365 protection, while Windows Security is the Windows antivirus interface.
Can Microsoft Defender monitor more than one device?
Yes. Its dashboard can show the Windows computer and other devices added to the account, including devices on Android, iOS, and macOS.
What can I do with a detected file?
Remove it, or allow it if you are sure it is safe; the event is kept in the history.