Merge pull request #4614 from MicrosoftDocs/main

[AutoPublish] main to live - 07/30 01:36 PDT | 07/30 14:06 IST

Author: m365-skilling-repo-management[bot]

defender-endpoint/TOC.yml

@@ -803,6 +803,8 @@
         href: microsoft-defender-endpoint-antivirus-performance-mode.md
       - name: Compatibility with other security products
         href: microsoft-defender-antivirus-compatibility.md
+      - name: Defender for Endpoint passive mode
+        href: microsoft-defender-passive-mode.md
       - name: Microsoft Defender Antivirus and third-party antivirus solutions without
           Defender for Endpoint
         href: defender-antivirus-compatibility-without-mde.md

defender-endpoint/configure-endpoints-vdi.md

@@ -103,6 +103,10 @@ The following steps guide you through onboarding VDI devices and highlight steps
    | Single entry for each device | 1. Select the **PowerShell Scripts** tab, then select **Add** (Windows Explorer opens directly in the path where you copied the onboarding script earlier). <br/>2. Navigate to onboarding PowerShell script `Onboard-NonPersistentMachine.ps1`. There's no need to specify the other file, as it's triggered automatically. |
    | Multiple entries for each device | 1. Select the **Scripts** tab, then select **Add** (Windows Explorer opens directly in the path where you copied the onboarding script earlier). <br/>2. Navigate to the onboarding bash script `WindowsDefenderATPOnboardingScript.cmd`. |
 
+   > [!NOTE]
+   > When using the 'Single entry for each device' onboarding method for non-persistent VDI environments, ensure that the Onboard-NonPersistentMachine.ps1 script is executed only after the virtual machine has received its final hostname and completed its final reboot.<br>
+   > For example, if your VDI provisioning process includes multiple reboots or configuration stages after the VM is cloned from a master image, delay the script execution until the last reboot is complete and final machine name is assigned.<br> Running the script too early may result in duplicate device entries or inconsistent onboarding to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
+
 5. Test your solution by following these steps:
 
    1. Create a pool with one device.

defender-endpoint/indicator-file.md

@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ ms.service: defender-endpoint
 ms.author: deniseb
 author: denisebmsft
 ms.localizationpriority: medium
-ms.date: 06/06/2025
+ms.date: 07/30/2025
 manager: deniseb
 audience: ITPro
 ms.collection: 
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ Understand the following prerequisites before you create indicators for files:
 
 ## Create an indicator for files from the settings page
 
-1. In the navigation pane, select **Settings** \> **Endpoints** \> **Indicators** (under **Rules**).
+1. In the navigation pane, select **System** \> **Settings** \> **Endpoints** \> **Indicators** (under **Rules**).
 
 2. Select the **File hashes** tab.
 

defender-endpoint/microsoft-defender-passive-mode.md

@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+---
+title: Defender for Endpoint with Defender Antivirus in passive mode
+ms.topic: conceptual
+description: Understand how Defender Antivirus in passive mode works and when to use it.
+ms.service: defender-endpoint
+author: KesemSharabi
+ms.author: kesharab
+ms.localizationpriority: high
+audience: ITPro
+ms.collection: 
+- m365-security
+- tier1
+- mde-ngp
+ms.subservice: ngp
+search.appverid: met150
+ms.date: 03/26/2025
+---
+
+# Defender Antivirus in passive mode
+
+[!INCLUDE [side-by-side-scenarios](includes/side-by-side-scenarios.md)]
+
+Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a comprehensive security solution designed to protect your devices from evolving threats. One of its key features enables Microsoft Defender Antivirus to coexist with non-Microsoft antimalware solutions while still providing valuable endpoint detection and response capabilities.
+
+Some of the key benefits of Defender Antivirus in passive mode are:
+
+* **EDR Block mode** - Post-breach protection by detecting and remediating threats missed by the active antimalware solution
+
+* **Data Loss Prevention (DLP)** - Endpoint DLP functionalities operate normally, ensuring sensitive data is safeguarded.
+
+* **Security intelligence updates** - Microsoft Defender Antivirus continues to receive updates to stay aware of the latest threats.
+
+* **Data Loss Prevention (DLP)** - Endpoint DLP functionalities operate normally, ensuring sensitive data is safeguarded.
+
+For more information, see [How Microsoft Defender Antivirus affects Defender for Endpoint functionality](microsoft-defender-antivirus-compatibility.md#how-microsoft-defender-antivirus-affects-defender-for-endpoint-functionality).
+
+>[!NOTE]
+>Passive mode disables Microsoft Defender Antivirus scheduled scans unless specific configurations are applied.
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+* Operating system
+    * Windows 10 or newer
+    * Windows Server 2012 R2 or newer
+
+* The device must be onboarded to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
+
+* Microsoft Defender Antivirus has to be installed and enabled
+
+## Configure passive mode
+
+On Windows 10 or newer, Defender Antivirus automatically enters passive mode when a non-Microsoft antimalware solution is installed and registered.
+
+For Windows Server operating systems, follow the instructions in this section to configure passive mode for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
+
+### Set the registry key
+
+To avoid conflicts between Microsoft Defender Antivirus and a third-party antivirus solution, if you're using Windows Server, set the following registry key before onboarding the device to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint:
+
+* **Path** - HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Advanced Threat Protection
+
+* **Name** - ForceDefenderPassiveMode
+
+* **Type** - REG_DWORD
+
+* **Value** - 1
+
+### Enable EDR in block mode
+
+When Microsoft Defender Antivirus is in passive mode, EDR in block mode can provide post-breach protection by detecting and remediating threats. Ensure this feature is enabled in Defender for Endpoint.
+
+### Avoid service modifications
+
+Don't disable, stop, or modify associated services such as `wscsvc`, `WinDefend`, or `MsMpEng`. Stopping these services can cause instability and make your device vulnerable to threats.
+
+### Exclude Defender binaries in third-party antivirus
+
+To prevent performance issues or conflicts, add Microsoft Defender Antivirus and Defender for Endpoint binaries to the exclusion list of your third-party antivirus solution.
+
+## Verify that passive mode is enabled
+
+This section describes how to confirm whether Microsoft Defender Antivirus is in passive mode.
+
+### Windows PowerShell
+
+Run the following PowerShell cmdlet:
+
+```powershell
+Get-MpComputerStatus | select AMRunningMode
+```
+
+The `AMRunningMode` value indicates the current Defender Antivirus state:
+
+* **Normal** - Active mode
+
+* **Passive** - Passive mode
+
+* **EDR Block Mode** - EDR is operating in block mode
+
+### Windows security app
+
+Follow these steps to verify that Microsoft Defender Antivirus is in passive mode (Windows 10 and later only).
+
+1. Open the Windows Security app.
+
+2. Select **Virus & threat protection**.
+
+3. Under **Who’s protecting me?**, select **Manage providers**.
+
+4. On the *Security providers* page, verify the antivirus provider and state.
+
+## Additional resources
+
+[Microsoft Defender Antivirus compatibility with other security products](microsoft-defender-antivirus-compatibility.md)

defender-endpoint/overview-attack-surface-reduction.md

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ ms.collection:
 - m365-security
 - tier2
 - mde-asr
-ms.date: 06/04/2024
+ms.date: 07/30/2025
 search.appverid: met150
 ---
 
@@ -38,8 +38,6 @@ search.appverid: met150
 
 Attack surfaces are all the places where your organization is vulnerable to cyberthreats and attacks. Defender for Endpoint includes several capabilities to help reduce your attack surfaces. Watch the following video to learn more about attack surface reduction.
 
-> [!VIDEO https://learn-video.azurefd.net/vod/player?id=06675c1f-cd4d-4c79-96f5-f695aee327e5]
-
 ## Configure attack surface reduction capabilities
 
 To configure attack surface reduction in your environment, follow these steps: