Microsoft Defender update triggers false security alerts on Windows

A recent update to Microsoft Defender is causing false security alerts for Windows users, incorrectly claiming that antivirus protection has been disabled. These intrusive notifications appear during system startup and at random intervals during operation.

Notably, the alerts bypass standard Windows notification settings, including ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode. Microsoft has confirmed the issue and advised users that the antivirus remains fully functional with all modules active. While a fix is expected in a future update, no specific release date has been provided.

The bug affects all currently supported versions of Windows, including Windows Server. Users concerned about their security status are encouraged to manually verify their protection settings via the Windows Security app under ‘Virus & threat protection’ to ensure real-time protection is active.