---
title: Windows threat protection
description: Describes the security capabilities in Windows client focused on threat protection
search.product: eADQiWindows 10XVcnh
ms.prod: m365-security
ms.author: dansimp
author: dansimp
ms.localizationpriority: medium
manager: dansimp
ms.collection: M365-security-compliance
ms.topic: conceptual
ms.technology: windows-sec
---

# Windows threat protection

**Applies to:**
- Windows 10
- Windows 11

In Windows client, hardware and software work together to help protect you from new and emerging threats. Expanded security protections in Windows 11 help boost security from the chip, to the cloud.  

## Windows threat protection

See the following articles to learn more about the different areas of Windows threat protection:

- [Application Control](/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-defender-application-control/windows-defender-application-control)
- [Attack Surface Reduction Rules](/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/attack-surface-reduction)
- [Controlled Folder Access](/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/controlled-folders)
- [Exploit Protection](/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/exploit-protection)
- [Microsoft Defender Application Guard](/windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-application-guard/md-app-guard-overview)
- [Microsoft Defender Device Guard](device-guard/introduction-to-device-guard-virtualization-based-security-and-windows-defender-application-control.md)
- [Microsoft Defender SmartScreen](/windows/security/threat-protection/microsoft-defender-smartscreen/microsoft-defender-smartscreen-overview)
- [Network Protection](/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/network-protection)
- [Virtualization-Based Protection of Code Integrity](/windows/security/threat-protection/device-guard/enable-virtualization-based-protection-of-code-integrity)
- [Web Protection](/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/web-protection-overview)
- [Windows Firewall](windows-firewall/windows-firewall-with-advanced-security.md)
- [Windows Sandbox](/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-sandbox/windows-sandbox-overview)

### Next-generation protection
Next-generation protection is designed to identify and block new and emerging threats. Powered by the cloud and machine learning, Microsoft Defender Antivirus can help stop attacks in real-time. 

- [Automated sandbox service](/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/configure-block-at-first-sight-microsoft-defender-antivirus)
- [Behavior monitoring](/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/configure-real-time-protection-microsoft-defender-antivirus)
- [Cloud-based protection](/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/configure-protection-features-microsoft-defender-antivirus)
- [Machine learning](/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/cloud-protection-microsoft-defender-antivirus)
- [URL Protection](/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/configure-network-connections-microsoft-defender-antivirus)