The Windows Security user interface has various options. Each of these pages can be opened directly using URL shortcuts, similar to the shell: commands we used to open special folders directly.
Here’s the list of WindowsDefender:// URL protocol commands to open individual Windows Security settings pages directly via the Run dialog. You can also create desktop shortcuts for the same.
| URL Protocol | Launches: |
| windowsdefender:// | Windows Security dashboard |
| windowsdefender://account/ | Account Protection |
| windowsdefender://accountprotection/ | Account Protection |
| windowsdefender://allowappthroughfolder/ | Allow an app through Controlled Folder Access |
| windowsdefender://appbrowser/ | App & browser control |
| windowsdefender://appguardsettings/ | Application Guard settings |
| windowsdefender://coreisolation/ | Core Isolation |
| windowsdefender://coreisolationreboot/ | *Reboots Windows immediately without warning* |
| windowsdefender://customscan | Scan Options |
| windowsdefender://dataencryption/ | Device security *Windows 11 only. |
| windowsdefender://devicesecurity/ | Device security |
| windowsdefender://enableandupdate/ | Enable Real-time protection and Update the definitions |
| windowsdefender://enablertp/ | Enable Real-time protection |
| windowsdefender://exclusions/ | Exclusions – Add or remove items to scan exclusions |
| windowsdefender://exploitprotection/ | Exploit protection |
| windowsdefender://family/ | Family options |
| windowsdefender://freshstart/ | Fresh start. *Since Windows 10 v2004, Fresh start has been moved to Reset this PC. |
| windowsdefender://fullhistory/ | Protection History |
| windowsdefender://fullscan/ | Start a Full scan (Scan Options) |
| windowsdefender://hardware/ | Device security |
| windowsdefender://history | Protection History |
| windowsdefender://network/ | Firewall & network protection |
| windowsdefender://perfhealth/ | Device performance & health |
| windowsdefender://protectedfolders/ | Protected folders (Controlled Folder Access) |
| windowsdefender://providers/ | Security providers |
| windowsdefender://quarantinehistory/ | Protection history, filtered by quarantined items. |
| windowsdefender://quickscan/ | Start a quick scan (Scan Options) |
| windowsdefender://ransomwareprotection/ | Ransomware protection |
| windowsdefender://reboot/ | *Reboots Windows without warning* |
| windowsdefender://samples | Virus & threat protection dashboard |
| windowsdefender://securityprocessor/ | Security processor details (TPM) |
| windowsdefender://securityprocessortroubleshooting/ | Security processor troubleshooting (TPM) |
| windowsdefender://settings/ | Windows Security Notification settings |
| windowsdefender://smartapp/ | Smart App Control. *Windows 11 only. |
| windowsdefender://smartscreenpua/ | Reputation-based protection |
| windowsdefender://threat/ | Virus & threat protection dashboard |
| windowsdefender://threatsettings/ | Virus & threat protection settings |
| windowsdefender://update/ | Update the definitions immediately (Protection updates) |
| windowsdefender://updateandquickscan/ | Update the definitions immediately and run a quick scan. (Ref: command-line equivalent) |
| windowsdefender://wdoscan/ | Start Windows Defender Offline Scan. (Reference) |
Note that none of the above protocol commands will work if the Security Center (SecHealthUI) app package is missing or the service hasn’t been started. In that case, you’ll see the error: You’ll Need a New App to Open This Windows Defender Link
The above protocol commands have been last tested in Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 22H2.
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