
Use PowerShell to install Microsoft Defender Antivirus Also select the GUI for Windows Defender option. When you get to the Features step of the wizard, select the Microsoft Defender Antivirus option. Refer to this article, and use the Add Roles and Features Wizard. Use the Add Roles and Features Wizard to install Microsoft Defender Antivirus If you need to install or reinstall Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows Server, you can do that using either the Add Roles and Features Wizard or PowerShell. Install Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows Server The following PowerShell cmdlet will enable the interface: Install-WindowsFeature -Name Windows-Defender-GUI In Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022, the Add Roles and Feature Wizard is similar. In Windows Server 2016, the Add Roles and Features Wizard looks like this: When you get to the Features step of the wizard, under Windows Defender Features, select the GUI for Windows Defender option. See Install roles, role services, and features by using the add Roles and Features Wizard, and use the Add Roles and Features Wizard. Turn on the GUI using the Add Roles and Features Wizard For more information, see Options to install Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. This option is not available for Windows Server 2012 R2. If the GUI is not installed on your server, and you want to install it, either the Add Roles and Features wizard or PowerShell cmdlets. You can use PowerShell, Group Policy, or other methods to manage Microsoft Defender Antivirus. Sometimes, the user interface (GUI) is installed by default, but the GUI is not required.

Setting up Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows Server However, you can set Microsoft Defender Antivirus to passive or disabled mode manually.

On Windows Server, if you are running a non-Microsoft antivirus/antimalware solution, Microsoft Defender Antivirus does not go into either passive mode or disabled mode automatically. On Windows Server, automatic exclusions are applied based on your defined Server Role. Although the functionality, configuration, and management are largely the same for Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows 10 and Windows 11, there are a few key differences on Windows Server: In some instances, Microsoft Defender Antivirus is referred to as Endpoint Protection however, the protection engine is the same.
