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Enable Windows Defender Windows Server 2012 r2

Question

Thursday, May 8, 2014 6:15 PM

In Server Core, Windows Defender is enabled by default on Windows Server 2012 r2, without a GUI. If the instalation has a GUI and Desktop Experience enabled, is there is way to enable Windows Defender?

All replies (14)

Thursday, May 8, 2014 7:22 PM

Windows Defender is not in any 2012 product not sure how you are seeing that especially on Core. But this article explains it a bit. Windows defender is a consumer product and 2012 is not.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/clientsecurity/archive/2012/11/05/more-information-on-microsoft-antimalware-protection-on-windows-8-and-windows-server-2012.aspx


Thursday, May 8, 2014 9:06 PM

That article refers to Windows Server 2012, not to Windows Server 2012 r2. I knew about WS 2012, I need to know about WS 2012 r2. I know for sure that Windows Defender exists and it is enabled by default on Windows Server Core, even if the WD does not a have a GUI.


Tuesday, May 13, 2014 7:48 AM

Hi,

Thanks for your posting.

As Globalrmunyan mentioned, Windows Defender is not supported in Windows server 2012 or r2.

Please refer to the following article:

Secure Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012

http://technet.microsoft.com/library/hh831360

Regards.

Vivian Wang


Thursday, August 14, 2014 7:08 AM | 2 votes

Vivian, that is really not true.

See http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/library/hh831778 "What changed in Windows Server 2012 R2" -> "Windows Defender" on the bottom and you will see:

"Available and enabled by default on Server Core installation options and Core System Server (without the user interface).

For more information, see Windows Defender."

So on Core installation, it really IS present.

Jaroslav Sabacky


Thursday, September 18, 2014 6:49 AM

I knew it was present on Server Core, this is why I wished to know if there is any way to enable it on Server with a GUI as well.


Tuesday, October 28, 2014 2:51 PM

Did you get any answer on this?

All my findings are the same so far, that it is enabled and install as default on 2012 R2Core, but no information regarding Full GUI.

And that it was not supported on 2012.


Saturday, April 18, 2015 8:20 PM

Hi,

Thanks for your posting.

As Globalrmunyan mentioned, Windows Defender is not supported in Windows server 2012 or r2.

Please refer to the following article:

Secure Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2012

http://technet.microsoft.com/library/hh831360

Regards.

Vivian Wang

Not exactly true.  Defender IS INCLUDED in 2012 R2 under the Desktop Experience.  However, it isn't included there in the Foundation edition.

Capt. Dinosaur


Sunday, April 19, 2015 6:27 PM | 2 votes

Vivian, that is really not true.

See http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/library/hh831778 "What changed in Windows Server 2012 R2" -> "Windows Defender" on the bottom and you will see:

"Available and enabled by default on Server Core installation options and Core System Server (without the user interface).

For more information, see Windows Defender."

So on Core installation, it really IS present.

Jaroslav Sabacky

Hi Jaroslay,

I understand what you're saying, however I did find a slightly different story.  I followed a link in another thread which took me to a page called, "Greg Olsen - Yellow Duck Guy-", who says that Defender is included in the Desktop Experience feature.  Here's the link:

https://yellowduckguy.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/windows-server-2012-how-to-add-desktop-experience-feature/

He provides step-by-step instructions to install that feature.  I followed his instructions and installed the feature, but in Foundation edition Defender is not included.  I've just installed a Evaluation Copy of Standard, and am installing the Desktop Experience there to see if it truly does include Defender.

Back from the test and GLUBB!!! I guess you're correct, because in spite of what the Yellow Duck Guy says, Defender is not in the Desktop Experience of Standard either.

Capt. Dinosaur


Thursday, March 24, 2016 7:33 PM

It bites. Microsoft seems to have left a hole for small installations.

System Center 2012 Endpoint Protection is recommended for Windows Server 2012 R2 but it is too complicated and expensive. We just have a few servers on Amazon Web Service, what is a good solution for endpoint protection?


Monday, July 9, 2018 5:04 PM | 7 votes

1. Download Windows Security Essentials for Windows 7

2. Right click on mseinstall.exe and select Properties

3. Click the Compatibility tab

4. Check the Run this program in compatibility mode for: box

5. Select Windows 7 from the pull down menu

6. Click OK

7. Open a Command Prompt as Administrator

8. Navigate to the directory with mseinstall.exe

9. At the command prompt type "mseinstall.exe /disableoslimit" without quotes

10. Press enter and install normally


Wednesday, March 20, 2019 7:01 PM

This is basically SCEP for the public.


Friday, October 25, 2019 8:25 AM

Well Done. Thanks.


Friday, February 21, 2020 6:19 AM

thank you. working on MS Server 2012r2


Tuesday, July 28, 2020 2:20 PM

As of the EOL of Windows 7, the download for MSE is no longer available.