How to Reset Windows Security App in Windows 11

Richard

July 19, 2021

This post instructs how to reset and repair the Windows Security apps in Windows 11. The Windows Security app, an information center rather than an antivirus, reports device health and threat info if Microsoft Defender is installed. Users may resolve common issues by resetting the app via the settings, or, if not visible, through PowerShell…

This post shows students and new users how to reset their Windows Security apps when using Windows 11 to repair or resolve common issues.

Windows Security app is a desktop client interface app that comes with a Windows system that gives the user a security glance of what’s happening with the security and health of the user’s computer and helps them take action when necessary.

Windows Security app is not an antivirus or antimalware app but an information center. If Microsoft Defender is installed and enabled, the Windows Security app gathers and reports device health and threat information.

Users can then take actions, including enabling additional security features and running security scans via Microsoft Defender.

To resetting Windows Security apps in Windows 11, follow the steps below.

How to repair Windows Security apps in Windows 11

Windows Security app allows you to monitor and view the health of their systems. These are some of the things you can do with Windows Security apps: You can not uninstall the Windows Security app, but you can do one of the following:

Disable the interface on Windows 11.
Hide all of the sections on client computers
Disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus, if needed.

If the Windows Security app isn’t functioning properly, reset it using the steps below:

Click on Windows Start on the taskbar, then search for ‘Windows Security in the search box. Then, right-click on the Windows Security app from the relevant result and click on Apps settings.

When the app’s settings open, scroll down and click on Reset.

When prompted with a warning that resetting will permanently delete the app’s data and preferences, click the Reset button again.

This will reset and repair the app’s settings and documents. Doing this may resolve some issues when the apps won’t open and suddenly close after opening.

Windows Security Apps dashboard that shows the computer’s health and what’s going on with the machine.

One commenter below mentioned that if users do not see the Windows Security app, they should run the commands below from PowerShell as administrator.

Click the Start menu, then search for and select the PowerShell app from the relevant results. Then right-click and click “Run as administrator.”

When the PowerShell console opens, run the commands below.

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

That should do it!

Conclusion:

Resetting the Windows Security app in Windows 11 can help resolve various issues related to its functionality. Here are the key takeaways:

The Windows Security app is essential for monitoring the health and security of your system.
Resetting the app clears its data and preferences, potentially fixing errors and malfunctions.
Users can easily reset the app through the settings menu.
If the app is not visible, utilizing PowerShell commands provides an alternative way to restore it.
Regular maintenance of the Windows Security app ensures your system remains protected and functional.

Richard

Richard, the owner and lead writer at Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast passionate about simplifying complex IT topics. His years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations have honed his ability to provide practical insights and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He’s deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions. He enjoys watching football, cheering for the Minnesota Vikings, and spending time with his family when he’s not writing or managing Geek Rewind.