How to Reset Windows Security App in Windows 11

Method 1Reset Windows Security Using the Settings App

Reset the app directly through the Settings ⚙️ menu without needing any commands.

Step 1Open the Settings App

Open Settings ⚙️ by pressing the Win and the I key together. Alternatively, click the Start button ⊞, then click the gear icon that looks like a Settings cog.

Step 2Go to System Components

In the Settings ⚙️ window, click on System in the left sidebar. On the right side, scroll down and click on System components.

Step 3Find Windows Security’s Advanced Options

Locate Windows Security in the list of installed system components. To the right of Windows Security, click the icon with three dots. A small menu will appear, and you will choose Advanced options from this menu.

Step 4Start the Reset

On the Advanced options screen for Windows Security, scroll down until you see a button that says Reset. Click this button. A message will pop up asking if you're sure. Click Reset again in this message.

Step 5Confirm the Reset

After clicking the final Reset button, you should see a small checkmark appear next to the Reset button. This means the Windows Security app has been reset. You can now close the Settings window.

Method 2Reset Windows Security for Your Account Using Windows Terminal

If the Settings app didn't solve the issue, or if you prefer using commands, Windows Terminal offers another way. This method also resets the app for your current account.

Step 1Open Windows Terminal

Click the Start button, then type 'Windows Terminal' and select the app when it appears. It typically opens to PowerShell. If you see other options, make sure Windows PowerShell is selected at the top.

Step 2Paste and Run the Reset Command

In the PowerShell window, type or paste the following command precisely: Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.SecHealthUI* | Reset-AppxPackage. Then, press the Enter key on your keyboard. PowerShell will execute the command.

Step 3Wait for the Command to Finish

Knowing when to reset Windows Security app processes finish in Windows Terminal depends on watching the text cursor. When the command finishes running, the cursor drops to a new line to show the reset is complete, letting you safely close the window.

A single wrong character can cause errors. Always check that you copied the command perfectly.

Method 3Reset Windows Security for All Users (Requires Administrator)

Run an administrator command to reset Windows Security for every user profile on your PC at once. This requires administrator privileges.

Performing this action requires administrator privileges.

Step 1Open Windows Terminal as an Administrator

Click the Start button and type 'Windows Terminal'. When it appears, right-click the result and select Run as administrator. If a User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears asking for permission, click 'Yes'.

Step 2Choose Windows PowerShell

With Windows Terminal open as an administrator, make sure you are in the Windows PowerShell tab. The title bar might say 'Administrator: Windows Terminal'. If not, click the small arrow next to the plus sign (+) and select Windows PowerShell.

Step 3Enter the 'All Users' Reset Command

This command is similar to the last one but affects all users. Copy and paste the following command into the administrator PowerShell window: Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers *Microsoft.SecHealthUI* | Reset-AppxPackage. Press the Enter key after pasting.

Step 4Let the Command Finish

PowerShell will execute the command. You'll know it's finished when a new command line appears. This means Windows Security has been reset for all users on your computer. You can then close the Windows Terminal window.

Summary

Feature updates or a subsequent system repair may reset app configurations back to defaults. If persistent issues remain, test the protection features by running a manual scan from the restored interface.