4 Ways to Clear Windows Defender Protection History

Aman is a Windows specialist and loves writing about the Windows ecosystem on Guiding Tech and MakeUseOf. He has a Bachelor’s in Information Technology and is now a full-time freelance writer with expertise in Windows, iOS, and browsers.

Afam has been a content writer with Guiding Tech Media since August 2023. However, his experience in tech writing dates back to 2018, when he worked as a freelance writer for Make Tech Easier. Over the years, he has grown a reputation for publishing quality guides, reviews, tips, and explainer articles. His work is featured on top websites, including Technical Ustad, Windows Report, and Next of Windows. He has training as a Microsoft Certified Professional and has covered more Microsoft-related guides on these platforms.

Method 1: Using File Explorer

Like many applications, Windows Defender stores the Protection History log on your computer as an accessible file. The quickest and easiest way to access and delete the Protection History log on Windows 11 is by using File Explorer. Here’s how to do that:

Step 1:Press theWindows+Ekey to open File Explorer. Click theWindows OS drive, which is generallyCfor most users.

Step 2:Click theViewoption at the top > selectShowfrom the context menu > chooseHidden itemsfrom the submenu.

Step 3:Next, navigate to the following location or copy-paste it in the address bar of File Explorer:

Step 4:Click theServicefolder.

Step 5:Press theControl+Akeys to select everything > press theShift+Deletekeys to permanently remove all the history files.

If this is the first time you’ve removed Windows Defender’s Protection History from your computer, you’ll gain some storage space.

Method 2: Using the Group Policy Editor

The Group Policy Editor is a Windows utility to manage and edit important Windows policies. However, theGroup Policy Editor is unavailablein the Windows 11 Home Edition. If you’re using the edition on your computer, skip this solution.

Step 1:Press theWindows+Rkeys to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2:Typegpedit.mscin the search bar and clickOK.

Step 3:In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following location in the left sidebar:

Step 4:In the right pane, double-click on theTurn on removal of items from scan history folder.

Step 5:ChooseEnabled. Also, assign several days, after which the history gets cleared automatically. By default, it’s set to 30 days.

Step 6:ClickApply>OK.

Method 3: Using Event Viewer

Windows stores a log of messages from the system, including features like errors, warnings, information, and other messages in Event Viewer. So, another quick way to clear Windows Defender Protection History is through the Event Viewer. Here’s how:

Step 1:Press theWindowskey to open theStartMenu > typeEvent Viewerin the search bar > chooseOpenfrom the right pane.

Step 2:Click the drop-down arrow beforeApplications and Services logsin the left sidebar.

Step 3:Click the drop-down arrow next to theMicrosoftfolder in the left sidebar.

Step 4:Now, click the drop-down arrow before theWindowsfolder in the left sidebar.

Step 5:Double-click on theWindows Defenderfolder from the left sidebar.

Step 6:Right-click on theOperationallog > chooseClear logfrom the context menu.

Step 7:ChooseSave and Clearin the confirmation box.

Method 4: Using Command Line Tools

Windows PowerShellis a command-line tool to manage programs, solve system issues, and much more. You can also use it to clear the Windows Defender Protection History log on Windows 11. Here’s how:

Step 1:Open theStart Menu> typeWindows PowerShellin the search bar > chooseRun as administrator.

Step 2:Type the following command in the elevated PowerShell window and pressEnter. Ensure to replace Days in the command with the number of days after which you want the Protection History log to be cleared automatically. For example, we’ve chosen 5 days.

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Last updated on 12 August, 2024

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