Windows Security, formerly known as Microsoft Defender, is the go-to app for those who want to know more about security in Windows 10 and Windows 11. This app is part of Microsoft's operating system, and this is where you can find out what your antivirus has been doing, what your firewall has to say, and whether other security features are turned on and working well. However, before you can get any information, you must know how to access Windows Security. That's why, in this article, I show you several ways to open Windows Security in Windows 10 and Windows 11:

1. Where to find Windows Security in the system tray

By default, Windows Security is started automatically by Windows, and it runs in the background, protecting your computer or device. Few people know that you can find its icon in the system tray (the bottom-right corner of the taskbar) in Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Click or tap the arrow pointing upwards to Show hidden icons, and then, in the list of icons, click or tap the blue shield. If you hover your mouse over it, it says Microsoft Defender. Don't worry, it's just another name for Windows Security.

Opening Windows Security from the system tray in Windows 11

In Windows 10, the process is identical, even though things look a little different. The main difference is that the Windows Security icon is a white shield instead of a blue one.

Opening Windows Security from the system tray in Windows 10

Keep in mind that Windows Security displays an exclamation mark alongside its icon when it finds issues that require your attention, similar to the screenshot above.

2. Open Windows Security from the command line (CMD, PowerShell, Terminal)

Some people who work with Windows Security need to find a way to open it from a command-line app like the Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Windows Terminal. Open any of these apps on your Windows computer, type this command, and press Enter:

Here’s me running it in the Windows Terminal from Windows 11:

Opening Windows Security from Windows Terminal

In the screenshot below, I've started CMD and ran the same command in Windows 10:

Opening Windows Security from CMD

TIP: If your computer is having issues loading Windows, here’s how to open Command Prompt when Windows doesn't boot.

3. How to access Windows Security from the Start Menu

A simple way of accessing Windows Security is from the Start Menu. In Windows 10, click or tap Start, scroll down through the list of apps until you find those that start with the letter W, and then choose the Windows Security shortcut.

The Windows Security shortcut in the Windows 10 Start Menu

In Windows 11, things are a bit different: click or tap Start followed by All apps. Then, in the list of apps, scroll to the bottom, find the Windows Security shortcut, and tap on it.

The Windows Security shortcut in the Windows 11 Start Menu

4. How to create a Windows Security shortcut on your desktop

After finding the Windows Security shortcut in the Start Menu (using the instructions from the previous section), you can drag and drop it to the desktop. If you execute the move correctly, a Link text and the Windows Security shortcut accompany your cursor as you move it across the desktop. Release the left mouse button (or lift your finger from the touchscreen) anywhere on the desktop, and Windows 10 creates a new shortcut right there.

Creating a Windows Security shortcut on the Windows 10 desktop

In Windows 11, it’s just as easy to create a Windows Security shortcut on the desktop using the Start Menu. Find the Windows Security shortcut in the All apps list, click or press and hold on it, and then move the mouse (or your finger) outside the Start Menu somewhere on the desktop. When you see the Link text alongside the shortcut, release the mouse or lift your finger, and the shortcut is created.

Creating a Windows Security shortcut on the Windows 11 desktop

You can also create a Windows Security shortcut using the Create Shortcut wizard. Right-click (or press and hold) on the empty space on your desktop and choose New > Shortcut. Then, copy and paste or type the following as your target location:

You can also use this target:

Click or tap Next, name the shortcut Windows Security, and press Finish.

Creating a Windows Security shortcut

Keep in mind that the first target that I provide creates a shortcut using the default Windows Security icon, while the second uses the File Explorer icon.

5. How open Windows Security with a keyboard shortcut

If you've created a Windows Security shortcut on the desktop by dragging it from the Start Menu, as shown in this guide’s fourth method, you can then edit the shortcut’s Properties in order to open this app with a keyboard shortcut. After creating the shortcut on the desktop, right-click (or press and hold) on it and choose Properties.

Accessing the Properties of the Windows Security shortcut

Next, click or tap inside the Shortcut key text box and press the shortcut key combination you want to use to open this app. For example, you could press CTRL + ALT + W, like I did in my screenshot. When you’re done setting up the shortcut key, press OK.

Setting the shortcut key for Windows Security

This method works the same in Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you need more information, read this guide: How to open any program (or app) with a keyboard shortcut in Windows.

6. How to open Windows Security with Run

An old-school way of opening apps in Windows is through the Run dialog. Press Windows + R on your keyboard, and in the Open field, type:

Don’t forget to press Enter on your keyboard or click/tap OK to execute your command and open Windows Security.

Opening Window Security from Run

7. How to find Windows Security using search

People who are wondering where to find Windows Security on their Windows computer can always use search. It's a fast and reliable way of opening apps.

If you're using Windows 10, click or tap inside the Search box on the taskbar, type the word security, and choose the Windows Security search result.

Accessing Windows Security via search in Windows 10

If you're using Windows 11, finding Windows Security works exactly the same way. However, remember that the search feature may not always display Windows Security as the first search result on the list. It may also display folders with this name or apps like those in the screenshot below.

Accessing Windows Security via search in Windows 11

8. How to start Windows Security from File Explorer

Few people know that File Explorer offers another convenient way to start Windows Security. Open File Explorer and type or copy and paste this command in its address bar:

Then, press Enter on your keyboard to execute it.🙂

Opening Windows Security from File Explorer in Windows 10

While the screenshot above is from Windows 10, the steps involved work the same in Windows 11, even though File Explorer looks different.

Opening Windows Security from File Explorer in Windows 11

9. Pin Windows Security on your taskbar or Start Menu

Locate the Windows Security shortcut in the Start Menu. As shown in method 3, in Windows 10, you can find this shortcut at the bottom of the apps list. Then, right-click or press and hold Windows Security, and a contextual menu appears. The first option in the menu is Pin to Start, which pins the Windows Security shortcut in the Start Menu. If you choose More, an extension opens, allowing you to Pin to taskbar.

Pinning Windows Security to the Start Menu or the taskbar in Windows 10

The steps are similar in Windows 11. However, you first need to click or tap Start, followed by All apps, to see the list of apps installed on your computer. Then, right-click (or press and hold) the Windows Security shortcut and pin it where you want.

Pinning Windows Security to the Start Menu or the taskbar in Windows 11

10. How to open Windows Security using Settings

If you’re already using the Settings app and need to access Windows Security, you can do that really quickly:

Open Settings and go to the Update & Security category. On the left side of the window, select Windows Security; then, on the right, click or tap Open Windows Security.

Open Windows Security from the Windows 10 Settings

If you’re using Windows 11, open the Settings app (Windows + I) and choose Privacy & security on the left. On the right side of the window, click or tap Windows Security, followed by Open Windows Security.

Open Windows Security from the Windows 11 Settings

11. Start Windows Security from Task Manager

If you're using Task Manager to view running apps and processes, and you need to bring up Windows Security, you can do that straight from this app, like this:

In Windows 10, open Task Manager (a quick way is to press the Control + Shift + Escape keys simultaneously). If you get the compact view of the Task Manager, click or tap on More details. Next, click or tap File > Run new task.

In Task Manager go to File > Run new task

In the Create new task window, type or copy and paste this command in the address bar:

Don’t forget to press Enter or click or tap OK.

Run Windows Security from Task Manager

This process no longer works in Windows 11 because the Task Manager has been completely revamped, and it no longer gives you access to the Create new task window, like it does in Windows 10.

What is your preferred way of accessing Windows Security?

This is a lengthy tutorial that aims to provide you with as complete information as possible. Most people need to know a method or two for opening Windows Security, while others may have to experiment with most of the methods I detailed and then choose the one that suits their needs. Regardless, let me know which works best for you and why. How do you access Windows Security on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer?