Windows Defender - "Actions recommended" - but what are they???

Anonymous
2018-07-19T04:49:39+00:00

I have been using Windows Defender for years, and Microsoft Security Essentials before that. I haven't had any problems with either one-- but in the last day or two the Windows Defender icon in my system tray has been showing a yellow caution sign on it, and if I hover my mouse pointer over the icon it says "Actions recommended." However, when I open Windows Defender everything shows a green check and says "No action needed." How can I find out what is causing the yellow caution sign? All Windows updates have been downloaded and applied, the Windows Defender is up to date. and the last scan (which was done automatically after the caution sign appeared) shows no threats found.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

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Anonymous
2018-10-02T12:35:44+00:00

*SOLVED*

Log into your microsoft account and under Devices section you can see the details why this warning sign occurs.

You need to signed in with you microsoft account to do so.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-10-09T19:02:19+00:00

    I found my issue, maybe it will help others. Go into the security center / click on the Shield (left side) Virus and Threat Protection. Look for Ransomware protection. I had a message about setting up OneDrive for file recovery in case of a ransomware attack. I dismissed the alert.

    More info on why you might or might not want to set this up:

    https://www.theverge.com/2018/4/5/17201660/microsoft-onedrive-files-restore-feature-ransomware-protection

    Yeah. Worked here.

    I had to enable Windows Defender Antivirus options as I already have ESET Security installed.

    Once enabled I got the above message and clicked Dismiss.

    After that I again disabled Windows Defender Antivirus options

    Problem solved.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-09-10T14:45:54+00:00

    This was it, thank you! I temporarily enabled periodic scan, dismiss this OneDrive suggestion, and disable periodic scan again. And it goes back to green checkmark. This behavior appears more as a bug for me than a feature. Windows should not force people to visit this RansomWare option if periodic scan is turned off by external virus protection software.

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-10-27T15:57:09+00:00

    All I did was change "Real-time protection" to "Off", then back to "On".  The notification icon first changed to having a red x and then to the green checkmark.  Problem solved.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-07-23T11:35:48+00:00

    I use 3rd party protection, but exactly the same, no problems in the past. I keep the security center on the system tray and on three machines now I'm getting the same thing you are - the yellow caution and everything green inside the Security Center.

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