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● TRACKER Updated 15d ago · 8 sources tracked

Windows 11 is warning people that Defender Antivirus has been turned off, but don't worry, says Microsoft

Microsoft has confirmed a defect causing Windows 10, 11, and Server devices to falsely notify users that Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned off. The warnings appear even when the security product is operational and settings show protection is enabled. Microsoft is working on a fix and has advised users to ignore these specific errors. Recent Windows 11 updates also triggered cursor glitches, though the company simultaneously released a fix for previous issues involving system crashes and gaming bugs.

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  • ✓ Microsoft confirmed a bug triggers incorrect antivirus disabled warnings across Windows 10, 11, and Server.
  • ✓ The warnings appear even when the security product remains operational and settings show protection is enabled.
  • ✓ Microsoft has asked users to ignore the antivirus turned off errors while it works on a fix.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 8 independent reporting domains (90% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

Microsoft officially confirmed the antivirus notification defect affects Windows 10, 11, and Server.

Live updates

  1. Microsoft Confirms False Defender Antivirus Warnings on Windows

    Microsoft has confirmed a defect causing Windows 10, 11, and Server devices to falsely notify users that Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned off. The warnings appear even when the security product is operational and settings show protection is enabled. Microsoft is working on a fix and has advised users to ignore these specific errors. Recent Windows 11 updates also triggered cursor glitches, though the company simultaneously released a fix for previous issues involving system crashes and gaming bugs.

    Why it matters

    False security alerts can create vulnerabilities by conditioning users to ignore legitimate cybersecurity warnings. This bug follows a period of instability for Windows 11 that included game-breaking crashes.

    What is confirmed

    • Microsoft confirmed a bug triggers incorrect antivirus disabled warnings across Windows 10, 11, and Server.
    • The warnings appear even when the security product remains operational and settings show protection is enabled.
    • Microsoft has asked users to ignore the antivirus turned off errors while it works on a fix.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Windows 11 updates triggered cursor glitches.
    • Microsoft resolved Windows 11 crashing games using a registry hack.

    What to watch next

    • Release of the official patch for the Defender notification defect
    • Confirmation of whether cursor glitches are linked to the same update cycle
    Sources used for this update (9)
    1. XDA — Windows 11 is warning people that Defender Antivirus has been turned off, but don't worry, says Microsoft
    2. BleepingComputer — Microsoft rolls out fix for Windows 11 crashes, gaming issues
    3. Technobezz — Windows 11 Update Tracker
    4. TechPowerUp — Microsoft "Resolves" Windows 11 Crashing Games with a Registry Hack
    5. BleepingComputer — Microsoft asks users to ignore 'Antivirus is turned off' errors
    6. hothardware.com — Windows 11 Updates Trigger False Antivirus Warnings & Cursor Glitches
    7. www.computerworld.com — Windows bug incorrectly tells users that Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned off
    8. www.pcworld.com — Windows 10 and 11 users are seeing a Defender warning that isn’t real
    9. cyberpress.org — Microsoft Confirms Windows Devices Showing False Defender Antivirus Turned Off Warnings
    confidence 90%
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