PowerShell cmdlets for Windows Defender with Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 includes PowerShell cmdlets for the local Windows Defender service.  A list of cmdlets can be obtained by using the command Get-Command –Module defender.

The cmdlet Get-MpComputerStatus will display overall details of the Windows Defender service.

The Get-MpPreference will display parameters for the application.

The cmdlet Update-MpSignature will start the signature update process.

Manual scans can be executed by using the Start-MpScan cmdlet.

The Get-MPThreatDetection cmdlet should display any threats that have been found.  In this example, no detected threats were present.