Privacy and Security Reset Windows Security app in Windows 11


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Windows_Security_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to reset the Windows Security app for your account or all users in Windows 11.

Windows Security is built-in to Windows 11 and includes an antivirus program called Microsoft Defender Antivirus. Your device will be actively protected from the moment you start Windows 11. Windows Security continually scans for malware (malicious software), viruses, and security threats. In addition to this real-time protection, updates are downloaded automatically to help keep your device safe and protect it from threats.

Windows Security is your home to view and manage the security and health of your device.

If Windows Security is crashing or not opening, you can reset the Windows Security app to hopefully fix it.


Contents

  • Option One: Reset Windows Security app for Current User in Settings
  • Option Two: Reset Windows Security app for Current User in PowerShell
  • Option Three: Reset Windows Security app for All Users in PowerShell


EXAMPLE: Windows Security

Windows_Security.png





Option One

Reset Windows Security app for Current User in Settings


1 Open Settings (Win+I). (see screenshot below)

2 Click/tap on Apps on the left side, and click/tap on Apps & features or Installed apps on the right side. (see screenshot below)


Reset_Windows_Security_in_Settings-1.png

3 Click/tap on the 3 dots button for the Windows Security app, and click/tap on Advanced options. (see screenshot below)

Reset_Windows_Security_in_Settings-2.png

4 Click/tap on Reset. (see screenshot below)

Reset_Windows_Security_in_Settings-3.png

5 Click/tap on Reset to confirm. (see screenshot below)

Reset_Windows_Security_in_Settings-4.png

6 You will now see a checkmark to the right of the Reset button indicating the Windows Security app has been successfully reset to default. (see screenshot below)

Reset_Windows_Security_in_Settings-5.png

7 You can now close Settings if you like.




Option Two

Reset Windows Security app for Current User in PowerShell


1 Open Windows Terminal, and select Windows PowerShell.

2 Copy and paste the command below into PowerShell, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.SecHealthUI* | Reset-AppxPackage

3 You can now close Windows Terminal if you like.

Reset_Windows_Security_in_PowerShell.png





Option Three

Reset Windows Security app for All Users in PowerShell


You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.


1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select Windows PowerShell.

2 Copy and paste the command below into PowerShell, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *Microsoft.SecHealthUI* | Reset-AppxPackage

3 You can now close Windows Terminal (Admin) if you like.

Reset_Windows_Security_all_users_in_PowerShell.png



That's it,
Shawn Brink


 

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Last edited:
Just tried the powershell command for option 3 with Dev version and it does not work.

It worked for option 2.

1658649459730.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro + others in VHDs
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook 14
    CPU
    I7
    Motherboard
    Yep, Laptop has one.
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel Iris XE
    Sound Card
    Realtek built in
    Monitor(s) Displays
    N/A
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Optane NVME SSD, 1 TB NVME SSD
    PSU
    Yep, got one
    Case
    Yep, got one
    Cooling
    Stella Artois
    Keyboard
    Built in
    Mouse
    Bluetooth , wired
    Internet Speed
    72 Mb/s :-(
    Browser
    Edge mostly
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    TPM 2.0
Just tried the powershell command for option 3 with Dev version and it does not work.

It worked for option 2.

Hello mate, :-)

It looks like you may have double clicked the code line from option 2 to copy it instead of a single click or manually highlight the code.

Double clicking to highlight the line like that usually causes an error like this for commands.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1
    CPU
    i7-1065G7 3.9 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR4-3200
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Plus
    Sound Card
    Intel SST
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" 4K UWVA AMOLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
When is it required to use * within the command?

Can this be used too?
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.SecHealthUI -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4800MQ CPU @ 2.70GHz
    Motherboard
    Product : 190A Version : KBC Version 94.56
    Memory
    16 GB Total: Manufacturer : Samsung MemoryType : DDR3 FormFactor : SODIMM Capacity : 8GB Speed : 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Quadro K3100M; Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition Audio CODEC; PNP Device ID HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_76E0
    Hard Drives
    Model Hitachi HTS727575A9E364
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
    Other Info
    Mobile Workstation
The * wildcard is used because the installed version of Defender has both a long hash string, and a build number. Wildcards make it easier than listing the exact name. Since the default Windows apps almost always start with Microsoft, you can reference:

Microsoft.SecHealthUI*
*SecHealthUI*
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7

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