How to check Windows Defender status via the command line?

windows windows-10 command-line security windows-defender

8,993

Use PowerShell to get the Windows Defender status information.

The command to use is Get-MpComputerStatus. It reports the status of Windows Defender services, signature versions, last update, last scan, and more.

This is the output of the command (as copied from the above link):

PS C:\> Get-MpComputerStatus
AMEngineVersion                 : 1.1.9700.0
AMProductVersion                : 4.3.9463.0
AMServiceEnabled                : True
AMServiceVersion                : 4.3.9463.0
AntispywareEnabled              : True
AntispywareSignatureAge         : 0
AntispywareSignatureLastUpdated : 7/30/2013 3:01:45 AM
AntispywareSignatureVersion     : 1.155.1107.0
AntivirusEnabled                : True
AntivirusSignatureAge           : 0
AntivirusSignatureLastUpdated   : 7/30/2013 3:01:45 AM
AntivirusSignatureVersion       : 1.155.1107.0
BehaviorMonitorEnabled          : True
ComputerID                      : A69DA5B8-06B3-4A00-B2C1-D18ED66BAD40
ComputerState                   : 0
FullScanAge                     : 4294967295
FullScanEndTime                 :
FullScanStartTime               :
IoavProtectionEnabled           : True
LastFullScanSource              : 0
LastQuickScanSource             : 2
NISEnabled                      : False
NISEngineVersion                : 2.1.9700.0
NISSignatureAge                 : 0
NISSignatureLastUpdated         : 7/30/2013 1:30:46 PM
NISSignatureVersion             : 106.0.0.0
OnAccessProtectionEnabled       : True
QuickScanAge                    : 0
QuickScanEndTime                : 7/30/2013 1:50:24 PM
QuickScanStartTime              : 7/30/2013 1:49:15 PM
RealTimeProtectionEnabled       : True
RealTimeScanDirection           : 0

For more information see Manage Windows Defender using PowerShell.

8,993

Programer Beginner

Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

Programer Beginner over 1 year
How can I check and make sure that all Windows Defender shields and protection are on/active and that everything has a green tick:

via the Windows 10's command prompt?

Edit #1:

Per @JG7's and @harrymc's answer, I tried Get-MpComputerStatus command in powershell, however I received this error output:
```
Get-MpComputerStatus : A general error occurred that is not covered by a more specific error code.
At line:1 char:1
+ Get-MpComputerStatus
+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    + CategoryInfo          : NotSpecified: (MSFT_MpComputerStatus:ROOT\Microsoft\...pComputerStatus) [Get-MpComputerSta
   tus], CimException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : HRESULT 0x800106ba,Get-MpComputerStatus
```
- JG7 about 3 years
  
  PowerShell can do this. Get-MpComputerStatus | select AntivirusEnabled This will be a nice read for you: social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/…
- Programer Beginner about 3 years
  
  @JG7 unfortunately I got an error running the command. See the full error messsage in my original post (under Edit #1)
- JG7 about 3 years
  
  Do you get the same error while running PowerShell as admin?
- Programer Beginner about 3 years
  
  @JG7 Yes, I tried to execute the command with a PowerShell as an Administrator and have same exact error message.
- JG7 about 3 years
  
  that exception code is so obscure. I did some searching on Google and this was one item that popped up. It’s not the exact case, but may set you on the right path. stackoverflow.com/questions/48960190/…
Programer Beginner about 3 years

I got a an error running the command in powershell on my machine: Get-MpComputerStatus : A general error occurred that is not covered by a more specific error code.
Programer Beginner about 3 years

Added the full error message in the original post (under Edit #1)
harrymc about 3 years

This works for me. Is Windows Defender enabled on the computer? Run the following: (Get-Service windefend).Status that should return "Running". For starting the service: Start-Service windefend. Some other anti-malware products may disable Windows Defender and prevent the service from starting.
Programer Beginner about 3 years

Running (Get-Service windefend).Status, it tells me that it is Stopped. I tried Start-Service windefend but it Failed to start service. Yet, my Windows Defender show all green ticks (as seen in the post).
harrymc about 3 years

What do you get for: Get-Command -Module Defender? You should get a list that includes Get-MpComputerStatus. Also, what is your Windows 10 version?