I'm setting up Windows Server 2012 R2 Foundation on a new server to replace my old server which is running Server 2008 R2 Foundation.   For internet security on my old server I was able to used Windows Defender and Security Essentials along with Windows Advance Firewall.  Now I read on TechNet that Security Essentials has been rolled into Windows Defender, but no matter how much I try, I can't find a download for the new Windows Defender.

Would someone please tell me where to find, or send me a link to where I can download i

I think you can still use Security Essentials. You can try downloading and run it in compatibility mode for Windows 7. For Windows Defender you might ask over here.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/protect_defender?tab=Threads

I'm setting up Windows Server 2012 R2 Foundation on a new server to replace my old server which is running Server 2008 R2 Foundation.   For internet security on my old server I was able to used Windows Defender and Security Essentials along with Windows Advance Firewall.  Now I read on TechNet that Security Essentials has been rolled into Windows Defender, but no matter how much I try, I can't find a download for the new Windows Defender.

Would someone please tell me where to find, or send me a link to where I can download it????

Although I haven't tried it myself, there are various suggestions that installing the "Desktop Experience" features will also get you Windows Defender:

http://yellowduckguy.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/windows-server-2012-how-to-add-desktop-experience-feature/

http://blogs.technet.com/b/danstolts/archive/2014/05/23/enable-snipping-tool-windows-media-player-and-more-desktop-experience-tools-on-windows-server-2008-2012-r2.aspx

Hi,

Do you want to download the new Windows Defender for Windows Server 2012r2?

In windows server 2012, you should add roles or fearures to add the windows defender, like this picture.

Regards.

Thanks Don and Vivian, and sorry that I haven't been able to get back to you before now.  I've been away on family matters, and just returned today.

I'll follow your links/instructions as soon as I can get back to configuring my new s

Hi,

Do you want to download the new Windows Defender for Windows Server 2012r2?

In windows server 2012, you should add roles or fearures to add the windows defender, like this picture.

Regards.

I'm setting up Windows Server 2012 R2 Foundation on a new server to replace my old server which is running Server 2008 R2 Foundation.   For internet security on my old server I was able to used Windows Defender and Security Essentials along with Windows Advance Firewall.  Now I read on TechNet that Security Essentials has been rolled into Windows Defender, but no matter how much I try, I can't find a download for the new Windows Defender.

Would someone please tell me where to find, or send me a link to where I can download it????

Although I haven't tried it myself, there are various suggestions that installing the "Desktop Experience" features will also get you Windows Defender:

http://yellowduckguy.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/windows-server-2012-how-to-add-desktop-experience-feature/

http://blogs.technet.com/b/danstolts/archive/2014/05/23/enable-snipping-tool-windows-media-player-and-more-desktop-experience-tools-on-windows-server-2008-2012-r2.aspx

Hi Vivian,

I also have been looking into this issue.  I also don't find Windows Defender as you have posted above.

Clearly it's there on the machine you were working with, so can you help us understand this?

What specific version of Server 2012 were you working with?  Why would Defender not be available in other versions?  Do we need to change some setting elsewhere or install some other feature before it becomes visible as in your post above?

This is a difficult topic for those of us new to server operations.  While we may end up with a more elaborate solution (would that be EndPoint Protection through System Center?), it would be nice to understand how to make Defender work on a simple server installation until we're ready to even understand how to use System Center or some other managed system.  Or maybe you can help us get to the System Center solution.

Thanks in advance so much for your help.

Hi Vivian,

I also have been looking into this issue.  I also don't find Windows Defender as you have posted above.

Clearly it's there on the machine you were working with, so can you help us understand this?

No, it isn't on the machine I'm working with, and that's my problem.  According to the "Yellow Duck Guy" it's supposed to be in the "Desktop Experience" role, which I installed, only to find that it isn't there.  According to other posts in this thread, it only exists in the "Core" install.

What specific version of Server 2012 were you working with?

Server 20122 R2 Foundation edition.

  Why would Defender not be available in other versions?

I'm afraid that only God and Microsoft know the answer to that, and neither is telling.

  Do we need to change some setting elsewhere or install some other feature before it becomes visible as in your post above?

If so, I'd buy a great big double dip ice cream cone to anyone who could correctly answer that.

This is a difficult topic for those of us new to server operations.  While we may end up with a more elaborate solution (would that be EndPoint Protection through System Center?), it would be nice to understand how to make Defender work on a simple server installation until we're ready to even understand how to use System Center or some other managed system.  Or maybe you can help us get to the System Center solution.

I couldn't agree with you more.  But before going to a higher level, and significantly more expensive OS (Micro$oft would love that, of course) there's no shortage of third party security software.  I've been looking at Kaspersky (www.kaspersky.com), which is a well known and well reputed provider, notwithstanding that its a Russian company.  They have a high rated EndPoint Security suite, but they require a minimum of 5 user licenses (including the server - i.e. Server + 4 Workstations).  In reality, this isn't as bad as it sounds because price wise (I think it's something like $150 for the 5 licenses) so it comes out to approximately $30 per user, which is pretty much what you'd pay for standard PC security suites.

Thanks in advance so much for your help.

You're most welcome.  I'm glad if I've been able to be of help.

Hi Capt.

I think you misunderstood my post.  I was addressing Vivian which might explain why you and I seemed to be at odds with our findings.

When you understand I was addressing Vivian, you'll see I found exactly the same issues you found.

Hopefully Vivian or a forum moderator can help us get to through this issue.

Best Regards,

Alan

Hi Bill,

That's nice to know.  Thanks.  And you're right, it doesn't really help the current problem.  But it's still nice to know!

Regards Capt and my issue, I did finally find out something that was my misunderstanding and likely common knowledge to everyone else.  But sometimes common knowledge isn't so common.

It seems as though many people say that Server 2012 uses the Defender software.  Even the Microsoft site says it here:

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh831778 (last line of chart)

But an experienced individual just informed me that on Server 2012 the software is called SCEP, Systems Center EndPoint Protection. 

http://serverfault.com/questions/684759/is-there-a-quick-easy-solution-to-protect-server-2012-against-malware

I didn't understand SCEP was effectively the equivalent of Defender, so while everyone talks about it as Defender, almost no one notices when folks like me and Capt aren't familiar with that terminology.

So now I'm on to figure out how to install SCEP on my Server.

You may have known all this, but I took the opportunity to post it here for Capt and anyone else who suffered from the same misunderstanding I've had and happen upon this post.

Best Regards,

Alan

So I'm posting the steps I took to achieve the solution you originally asked for in the event it will help anyone else.

I created an SCCM install disk from the .iso file on my MSDN subscription page.  I then found scepinstall.exe in the directory \smssetup\client.  I ran it from the CD and it installed 'System Center Endpoint Protection' which is effectively and therefore looks like Defender.  My big lesson, I was looking for the wrong name as was Capt.

This only installs the protection software and it is likely wise to go ahead and install the whole SCCM, but it will get the Defender engine working to protect the server.

• Edited by Alan Wheeler 8 hours 46 minutes ago
• Proposed as answer by Alan Wheeler 8 hours 43 minutes ago