SafeLayer checks new files before they can open or run on your Windows device.See how it works

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Clear answers for a more certain endpoint.

Get practical answers on SafeLayerAV, Microsoft Defender, unfamiliar files, and endpoint privacy.

In this guide

6 essential questions

Start with the topic closest to the decision you need to make.

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01

Getting started

Does SafeLayer replace Windows Defender?
No. SafeLayer is designed to operate alongside Microsoft Defender. It adds a hold-and-inspect barrier before unfamiliar files can execute, while Defender continues to provide its own scanning and protection.
Which Windows versions are supported?
SafeLayer AV supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 endpoints.

02

Protection decisions

What happens when SafeLayer cannot decide automatically?
Files that need a closer look wait in the Action Center until you restore, rescan, or vault them. Clean files are returned to their original location; malicious files remain isolated in the Quarantine Vault.
How does SafeLayer handle unknown malware?
Signature scanners can only identify a threat after someone has named it. SafeLayer starts by containing the unknown, moving suspicious files out of reach first, then checking them through multiple security layers.

03

Visibility and privacy

Where does my data go during inspection?
Files stay on your PC. SafeLayer is local-first by design. Only a file fingerprint is used when a second opinion needs to be checked.
Can I review what SafeLayer has blocked or held?
Yes. Protection Insights shows detections, scan history, security activity, and diagnostic information so you have a clear record of what happened on your PC.

Need a deeper answer?

Follow the protection path from arrival to verdict.