Join the Microsoft SpyNet community

Windows Defender detects known spyware and other potentially unwanted software. This includes software that has not yet been analyzed for risks and any changes made to your computer by that software. By joining the online Microsoft SpyNet community, you can see how other people have responded to alerts about software that has not yet been analyzed. Seeing how other people have responded can help you decide what to do. If you choose to participate, the actions that you take for these alerts are added to the community ratings to help other people.

Spyware is continually developed, so SpyNet ratings also help Microsoft determine which software to investigate. For example, if many people deny changes by software that has not yet been classified, Microsoft will analyze the software, determine if it is spyware, and if needed, update the Windows Defender definitions. Up-to-date definitions help Windows Defender detect the latest spyware threats and keep them from infecting your computer. Even if software is not spyware, Windows Defender alerts you if it detects that software is operating in a way that might be malicious or unwanted.

If you join Microsoft SpyNet, Windows Defender automatically sends information to Microsoft about spyware, potentially unwanted software, and software or changes by software that has not yet been analyzed for risks. The actions that are applied to the software are also reported to Microsoft. For more information about reports, read the Windows Defender privacy statement on the Microsoft Security at Home website by going to http://www.microsoft.com and searching for 'Windows Defender privacy statement'.

To join the Microsoft SpyNet community

To complete these steps, you must be logged on as an administrator or be a member of the Administrators group.

Open Windows Defender by clicking Start, clicking Programs, and then clicking Windows Defender.
Click Tools, and then click Microsoft SpyNet.
Select the level of community participation you want by clicking Join with a basic membership or Join with an advanced membership, and then click Save.

Understanding Windows Defender alert levels

Read the Windows Defender privacy statement