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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

30+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

50 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2019-03-13T00:52:29+00:00

    Thanks to Outatimez as your direction was the exact reason why I still had the "actions recommended" warning yet everything seemed up to date.  Thanks much for the bang on advice.  Issue Fixed!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Deleted

    This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

    Comments have been turned off. Learn more

  3. Anonymous
    2019-03-19T02:12:46+00:00

    If you have another antivirus installed, Windows wants you to turn on its own periodic scanning.  Unce you do that, the warning goes away.

    It takes a while to respond, but it works.  Actually, I checked "no this doesn't work." prior to logging into the website (the PC is logged in....I checked.)  The delay is about 2-3 minutes. 

    I subsequently turned off the Windows Defender periodic scanning and immediately the icon in the tray went from  to  .

                                                                                                                                                                                                 ^    ^

                                                                                                                                                                                          [missing images]

    It's repeatable in my case;  turn off the periodic scanning and it goes to .

                                                                                                                        ^                                                                                                       [missing image]

    Turn on periodic scanning and it goes to

                                                                      ^

                                                          [missing image]

    Editting the message to state that the images of the icons are missing.....

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2019-04-09T20:08:42+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.

    My actions recommended is I’m using AVG antivirus as antivirus provider...... so do i take it off.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments