Antivirus Update Check - Microsoft Security Center

The Microsoft Security Center Antivirus Update Check is supported for Windows workstations only because Windows servers do not include the Microsoft Security Center.

Microsoft Security Center is a built-in tool for Windows desktop operating systems that automatically detects installed anti-virus products and provides their status.

You can add an N-sight RMM Antivirus Update Check to query Microsoft Security Center to check for installed third-party antivirus product details on Windows workstations. The product details display in the More Information dialog that is available from the South-pane Checks tab.

We only query the Microsoft Security Center for product details to display in N-sight RMM and to determine check pass or fail. Since Microsoft Security Center may recognize some security products as antivirus products, such as SentinelOne EDR or MalwareBytes, those products display in the check's More Information dialog.

To add the Microsoft Security Center Antivirus Update check, select the Microsoft Security Center option when you add an Antivirus Update Check. For instructions to add a check, see Add Check configuration.

Check pass / fail criteria

If Microsoft Security Center detects Windows Defender as the only installed antivirus solution on the device:

  • Pass Criteria
    • Windows Defender is reported as active/enabled and up to date
  • Fail Criteria
    • Windows Defender is reported as disabled (no antivirus installed on device)
    • Windows Defender is reported as active/enabled but is out of date

If Microsoft Security Center detects one or more antivirus solutions:

  • Pass Criteria
    • At least one antivirus solution is reported as active/enabled and up to date
  • Fail Criteria
    • All antivirus solutions are reported as disabled
    • All antivirus solutions are reported as out of date

Example pass results

The Antivirus Update Check - Microsoft Security Center will eventually replace the Windows Defender option and be the default Antivirus Update Check for Windows workstations.