How Do I Install The Windows Security App In Windows 11?

Windows 11 ships with a built-in security solution called Windows Security to protect your data from viruses and malware. The Windows Security packs in Microsoft Defender Antivirus (previously known as Windows Antivirus), Smart App Control, and Windows Firewall.

Since the Windows Security app is installed by default and is part of the operating system, it cannot be uninstalled. So, chances of Windows Security going missing are very slim. That said, if the Windows Security app is missing, there is an easy way to get it back.

Can we install the Windows Security app from the Microsoft Store?

Because the Windows Security app is part of the Windows 11 operating system, it’s not offered in the Microsoft Store. In fact, there is no option to download the Windows Security app.

How do I install the Windows Security app if it’s missing from Windows 11 installation?

As said before, Windows Security is part of the operating system. So, you cannot install or uninstall it. That said, if it’s not showing up in search or you are unable to access it, you can get it back by running a simple command in PowerShell. Here is how.

Step 1: Launch Windows PowerShell as an administrator. To do so, type PowerShell in the Start menu or taskbar search, right-click the PowerShell entry in the search result, and then click the Run as administrator option.

Click the Yes button when you get the User Account Control prompt. Please note that if you have signed in to a non-admin account, you need to type the administrator account password to proceed.

Step 2: At the PowerShell window, copy and paste the following command and then hit the Enter key.

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

Step 3: Once the command is executed successfully, you may close the PowerShell window.

Step 4: Search for Windows Security. The Windows Security app should now appear in search results.

If this does not work or if Windows Security is not working as expected, you can consider repairing or resetting it. Refer to our guide on how to reset or repair the Windows Security app in Windows 11 for step-by-step directions.