Windows Defender - Virus and Spyware Definitions Update Failed

Introduction

Windows Defender couldn't check for virus and spyware definition updates. Check your Internet or network connection and try again.

Description

I was wondering why I was getting this kind of error while trying to update Windows Defender.

So, after some research using web searches, I learned that Windows Defender got corrupted.

How the hell did that happen?

Solution

1. The only solution is to reinstall the Windows 8 OS.
2. The other is a workaround by running the definition file.

But the disadvantage is that every time you use it, you need to download the definition and run the installer.

Workaround

So I downloaded and installed the latest Microsoft Security Essentials definition updates. Done, the definitions were updated.

The Microsoft website says

"By default, Microsoft Security Essentials is designed to install and run updates automatically. If you have disabled this feature or if you encounter problems updating automatically, you can manually download and install the latest Microsoft Security Essentials definition updates for your computer".

Even the website has the latest virus definition and released information.

So, download:mpam-fe.exe from Malware Protection Center and run the installer.

At last, Windows Defender is happy now.

Summary

In this article, we learned about Windows Defender - Virus and Spyware Definitions Update Failed.