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Microsoft Defender Core Service coming to Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2016

From Microsoft 365 Message Center Archive by Merill Fernando · Microsoft may not have sent this notice to your tenant.
Microsoft Defender XDR
Microsoft 365 admin center

Rollout

Rollout dates are often only in the text. When Microsoft moves them, the change shows under "What changed".

What the notice says

Microsoft’s text, safely structured

Introduction

We’re introducing the Microsoft Defender Core service for Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2016. This new service enhances the stability and performance of Microsoft Defender Antivirus, helping organizations strengthen endpoint protection on legacy server platforms.

When this will happen

  • Public Preview: Begins August 28, 2025, via the Beta channel (Prerelease).
  • General Availability: Rollout begins in mid-September 2025 across all rings and completes by early October 2025.

How this affects your organization

The Microsoft Defender Core service will be installed alongside Microsoft Defender Antivirus on supported Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2016 running the unified Microsoft Defender for Endpoint client. This service improves performance and reliability but does not change existing antivirus functionality or configurations.

This feature will be enabled by default once the platform is updated to the required version.

What you can do to prepare

  • Update the Microsoft Defender platform to version 4.18.25060.7-0 or newer.
  • Allow the following URLs:
  • If using an Application Control application or running a third-party AV and/or EDR, add the following process to the allowed list:

Learn about the prerequisites.

Compliance considerations

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.

What changed

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  1. Only details this page does not show changed.

  2. · first version seen

Learn more

Links from the notice and their documentation checks

No related evidence found in this installation's recent collection. This does not establish that no announcement exists.

Not confirmed here

What this page cannot tell you
  • Whether your tenant is affected: this is Microsoft's notice, not a check of your settings.
  • 1 linked page has not been read yet.
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An IT change radar: releases, security, known issues, retirements, documentation changes, and service status from public sources. Every item links to supporting evidence; dates and statuses can change after they are read.

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