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Windows Central
Is Microsoft Defender crashing on your PC? A bad update is breaking scans
Microsoft Defender is currently encountering issues that lead to crashes during scans on Windows machines, attributed to a problematic update. Users are reporting degraded performance and concerns regarding their security due to the inability to run scans effectively. This incident highlights the risks associated with software updates that can disrupt critical security functionalities.
MonitorConfidence: MediumImmediate horizonCybersecurity risk: High
Published 19 Aug 2026, 16:10 UTC1 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Microsoft Defender crashes during scans on affected PCs
- The crashes are linked to a recent update
- Users are expressing concerns over security vulnerabilities
- Microsoft has yet to issue a comprehensive fix
- The incident underscores the importance of reliable software updates
Interesting facts
- This issue may impact a significant number of Windows users
- The reliability of security updates is crucial for user trust
What changed
A recent update has introduced bugs that cause Microsoft Defender to crash during scanning operations.