How to Manually Clear Protection History in Windows 10 Security Center

Exploring the Capabilities of Windows Defender Security Center

We all want to keep our Windows devices safe from cyber threats. Luckily, Windows comes with a robust built-in security tool called Windows Defender Security Center. This application allows us to monitor and control various security features to protect our system. In this post, we’ll take an in-depth look at Windows Defender Security Center and how to use it effectively.

Overview of Key Features

Windows Defender Security Center gives us a centralized interface to view and manage core security components:

• Windows Defender Antivirus – Scan for malware and remove detected threats
• Firewall & Network Protection – Monitor network activity and block dangerous connections
• App & Browser Control – Manage permissions for apps and extensions
• Device Security – Check security settings and identify weaknesses
• Family Options – Set controls and limits for children’s accounts
• Device Performance & Health – Optimize system resources and fix issues

With everything in one place, we can configure settings based on our priorities and needs. The intuitive design makes it easy for users of all levels.

How long does Windows 10 defender scan log last?

Generally, Windows Defender is programmed to automatically clear the scan log after a certain amount of time. It’s usually set to remove items from the folder in 30 days, but you can choose a different value. You can also do it manually. Here’s how to delete Windows 10 Defender history from your local drive:

How do I remove a folder service from Windows Defender?

Delete folder Service C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scans\History\ Service . After deleting the folder Service, off and turn on (OFF>ON) Real-Time protection and Cloud protection. Was this reply helpful?

Monitoring Protection History

A key feature of Windows Defender Security Center is the ability to view protection history. This log provides valuable insights into:

• Threats caught by antivirus scans
• Suspicious files quarantined or removed
• Network intrusions blocked by firewall
• Apps denied permission to access sensitive data

Checking protection history helps us audit Windows Defender’s activities. It also motivates us to keep security up-to-date knowing past vulnerabilities.

However, some users may wish to clear their protection history manually for privacy or performance reasons. Let’s look at the steps to do this.

Clearing Protection History Manually

Here is how to manually purge Windows Defender’s protection history in Windows 10:

1. Open File Explorer and enter the following path in the address bar:

   C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scans\History

2. Right-click on the Service folder and select Delete.

3. Go to Windows Security and click Virus & Threat Protection > Protection History.

4. Click Clear All Events to erase the full history.

   How to clear Windows Defender logs?

   Double-click on Windows Defender. Then right-click on Operational and select Open to view all the past logs. Now you can right-click on Operational in the left pane and choose Clear Log. Or click on Clear Log on the right pane under Actions. Select Clear to clear the protection history.

   What’s new in Windows 10 protection history?

   Starting with Windows 10 build 18035, the Protection history experience in Windows Security has been completely revamped. The new Protection History experience still shows you detections by Windows Defender Antivirus, but it’s now updated to also give more detailed and easier to understand information about threats and available actions.

   Alternatively, click Save and Clear to first save logs as a CSV file.

This will completely wipe the protection history and free up disk space used by old logs.

Automating Protection History Clearing

For those wanting to automate protection history clearing, Windows PowerShell offers a handy solution.

Follow these steps to automatically purge logs older than a set number of days:

1. Search for Windows PowerShell and right-click to Run as Administrator.

2. In the PowerShell window, enter this command:

   Set-MpPreference -RemoveHistoryOlderThanDays 30

3. Press Enter to run the command.

This will configure Windows Defender to automatically delete history older than 30 days. Customize the number to your preferred retention period.

Scheduling automatic clearing is great for maintaining privacy and system performance. Be sure to first backup logs if you ever need to review details of past security events.

Achieving Balance between Security and Privacy

Protection history provides invaluable forensic data to identify problems or threats that have impacted our system. However, some may desire more control over how long this potentially sensitive information is stored locally.

What is the default time to clear windows security protection history?

Change Time to Clear Windows Security Protection History The default time to clear Windows Security Protection History is 15 days. This means that the protection history of Windows Security will be cleared automatically after 15 days. You can view this default time on your computer by running a command in an elevated Windows PowerShell.

How do I delete a protection history event?

Protection history events that require action will not get cleared until you take action for them. 1 Open File Explorer (Win+E). 3 Right click on the Service folder, and click/tap on Delete. 4 Close File Explorer. 5 Restart the computer to fully apply. The Service folder will automatically get recreated, but will be empty with no history.

What is the protection history page in Windows Security?

The Protection History page in the Windows Security app is where you can go to view recommendations and actions that Microsoft Defender Antivirus has taken on your behalf, Potentially Unwanted Apps that have been removed, or key services (ex: SmartScreen) that are turned off.

By mastering manual and automated cleaning techniques, we can strike the right balance for our needs. Take time to consider the trade-offs between security, privacy and system health. Enable history retention policies that align with your priorities.

Continuously Evolving Security

As cyber dangers grow, we need powerful built-in protections like Windows Defender Security Center. Make sure to keep Windows updated and run periodic scans. Monitor protection history to audit system activities and vulnerabilities.

Hopefully this guide has shown you how to harness Windows Defender to its full potential. But security requires constant vigilance. Revisit settings regularly and research emerging threats. With the right tools and knowledge, we can all contribute to making cyberspace a little bit safer.

References

1. https://www.makeuseof.com/windows-microsoft-defender-clear-history/
2. https://www.thewindowsclub.com/clear-windows-defender-protection-history

How do I clear Windows Defender protection history?

1, C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scans\History\Service and deleted everything in that (everything in the service folder) 2. Clear the Microsoft Defender Protection History Using the Event Viewer. (Setting to to clear logs from scan to a day) 3.

How to view protection history of Windows Defender in Windows 10?

To View Protection History of Windows Defender in Windows 10, do the following. Open Windows Security. Click on the Virus & threat protection icon. Click on the link View History under Current Threats . Use the Filters button to apply any available filter to your protection history. You are done.

How to check windows 11 protection history?

It protects your PC in real-time from all kinds of suspicious activities and you can check the protection history in your Microsoft Defender Antivirus on your Windows 11 PC. The Windows Security app keeps running in the background and notifies you of any security breaches, and displays all the reports in the protection history section.

How does Windows Defender remove items from a scan log?

Specifies the number of days for which items are stored in the scan log folder. After this time, Windows Defender deletes the items. If you specify a null value, Windows Defender will not remove items. If you do not specify a value, Windows Defender will remove items from the default scan log folder, that is, 30 days.