It is frustrating when your computer is sure to contain a trojan but you need to know where it is. Windows Security may prevent damage done by viruses but not being able to see the history of Security Protection is another cause of irritation. Now you are wondering where all the threat history has gone and why it is empty.
It is crucial to keep an eye on Protection History to determine what to do to keep your system healthy. This guide shows how you can access protection history and see the list of reports as Windows intended.
Contents
- What is Windows Security Protection History?
- Reasons Why Windows Security Protection History Is Empty
- How To Show Missing Reports on Windows Security Protection History?
- Method 1: Look At The Windows Updates
- Method 2: Clear Detection History
- Method 3: Reinstall Windows Defender
- Method 4: Run DISM and SFC Scannow
- Method 5: Uninstall Apps
- Conclusion
What is Windows Security Protection History?
The built-in antivirus program on Windows PCs has a feature called Windows Security Protection History that offers a thorough record of recent security incidents. It keeps track of the steps Microsoft Defender Antivirus takes to safeguard your system, like deleting potentially unwanted apps (PUAs), thwarting malware, or stopping vital services. Users can examine and control security events in this log to gain a better understanding of the security of their system.
Windows Security keeps its protection history for 30 days by default. While preserving system speed, this time frame guarantees users can access current security activities. Users can, however, manually delete the protection history earlier if necessary, which can increase system speed and free up storage.
Reasons Why Windows Security Protection History Is Empty
There are a few typical causes for why your Windows 10 or 11 protection history is empty. It can be easier to diagnose and solve the issue if you are aware of these factors.
- Settings for Protection History
Settings in Windows Security, formerly known as Windows Defender, control whether protection history is kept. Windows won’t save security event logs if these settings are turned off. To resolve this, make sure the “Protection History” function is turned on in Windows Security settings.
- Antivirus software from third parties
Using third-party security or antivirus software may cause issues with Windows Security. Numerous third-party applications take control of security management, making it impossible for Windows Security to preserve its history of protection. Change the third-party software settings or think about making Windows Security your main antivirus program to fix this.
- Security Database for Windows Corruption
An empty protection history is one of the problems that might result from corruption in the Windows Security database. Using PowerShell instructions to restore Windows Security to its original configuration or other repair techniques like DISM and SFC checks can frequently fix this issue.
- Inadequate Disk Space
The system drive needs storage space to protect history logs. Windows may cease recording protection history events if your system drive is getting low on space. To guarantee correct logging, increase disk space or remove superfluous files to free up storage.
- Bugs or Security Issues with Windows
Sometimes, Windows Security may not be able to record protection history due to bugs or other problems. These issues can frequently be fixed by keeping your Windows operating system and security applications updated with the most recent patches.
You may restore and preserve a working protection history in Windows Security by taking care of these possible causes.
How To Show Missing Reports on Windows Security Protection History?
The methods are shown as you go down with practical steps you must follow.
Method 1: Look At The Windows Updates
Checking for Windows updates is the first step in resolving the issue of missing Windows Security protection history. Updating your machine is recommended to preserve security features.
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update in Windows 11 and choose Check for updates to accomplish this.
- Get the updates and install it if it is available for your Windows.
Updating can remedy problems like missing protection history and guarantee that your system has the newest features and bug fixes. Restarting your computer after an update will implement the changes. After restarting, see if you can now see the Windows Defender protection history.
Method 2: Clear Detection History
Clearing detection history files might fix the problem if your Windows Security protection history is missing.
- Open the CMD as the owner: In the search bar, type “cmd.”
- Right-click on the prompt to see more options.
- Among the new extras options, choose “Run as Admin”.
- A pop-up regarding the user account will flash, just click “Yes”.
- Then, execute the subsequent commands:
Press Enter after typing del “C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scans\mpcache*” /s > NUL 2>&1.
Press Enter after typing del “C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Scans\mpenginedb.db“.
Cache and engine database files that can be the source of the problem are removed by these commands. Restart your PC after that. By doing this, Windows Defender will be refreshed, enabling you to check whether the protection history is now available.
Method 3: Reinstall Windows Defender
It’s not like reinstalling normal software when it comes to Windows Defender (Microsoft Defender) on Windows 11. Alternatively, you can use PowerShell to reset it. To return Windows Defender to its initial configuration, take the following actions:
- Start by going to the “Start” with the right-click (Select Terminal (Admin)). This will launch PowerShell as the rightful author.
- In the event that this option is not available, look for PowerShell using the taskbar’s search box, then right-click on it and choose Run as administrator.
- The command below should be copied and pasted into the PowerShell window: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.SecHealthUI -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage. Use the PowerShell window’s right-click menu or “Ctrl” + “V” to paste it, then hit Enter.
- The procedure starts right away and could take a while depending on your PC. A “Deployment operation progress” notification may appear. When the blinking cursor appears on a new line, the process is finished.
- Make sure you’ve launched PowerShell with administrator rights and try the procedures again if you see a red text message or an “Access is denied” issue.
By doing this, Windows Defender is reset to its original configuration and functions as if it had just been installed.
Method 4: Run DISM and SFC Scannow
Corrupted system files that could lead to problems like missing Windows Security protection history can be fixed by running DISM and SFC scans. To carry out these scans, follow these steps:
- Launch the Command Prompt (admin): Enter cmd into the search bar and choose “Run as admin” from the extra options.
- Execute the DISM command: After copying and pasting the command, hit Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth. This procedure, which could take a few minutes, fixes the Windows image.
- Execute the SFC command: Once the DISM command is finished, enter: sfc /scannow
- Hit Enter: Any corrupted system files will be spotted by the system and completely fixed.
- Restart and Verify: Once the scans are complete, turn off your computer and run it back again after a few seconds.
These scans guarantee the integrity of your system files without compromising your personal information.
Method 5: Uninstall Apps
Other security programs that are installed on your computer may be the cause of the “protection history not showing” problem if it continues. To fix this, check and uninstall them using these steps:
- Open Control Panel: Type “Win” + “R” and then type Control and press Enter.
- Access Security and Maintenance: From the list of options, choose the option that gets you to the Security section. After that, head towards Security and Maintenance.
- Expand Security Section: To see the security programs that are now running, click the drop-down arrow next to Security.
- Uninstall Additional Security Software: Use Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program to remove any additional security software that may be listed.
- Restart your computer: Check to see if the Windows Security protection history is now available after restarting your computer.
- Eliminating incompatible applications guarantees Windows Defender operates without hiccups.
Conclusion
Backing up your files and data in a safer device can save you a lot of stress in times of lost data. It is not guaranteed that empty Protection History won’t happen again in the future. With these methods, your future Windows Protection History will show up properly. Unfortunately, you have to say goodbye to old history that was completely missing. If you really need the old data in Protection History, then you can use third-party recovery software.
