EDR - Download and Install Microsoft Defender for macOS Onboarding Package

Read the instructions below to learn how to download and install the Defender for Endpoint Onboarding Package for macOS. An IdentiKey username and password is required for downloading the Onboarding Package. No product key is required.

Please note: This process is specific for stand-alone mac computers that are NOT part of Secure Computing and are not part of the Campus Active Directory.

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Download the Defender for Endpoint Onboarding Package for macOS from the Microsoft EES website. Be sure to click the link for MS-Defender (macOS). You will be prompted to login with your IdentiKey username and password. 

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After successfully downloading, locate and open the Microsoft Defender package file.

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Click Continue when the installer guide window opens.

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Click Install to begin the installation process.

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Enter administrator credentials to install software on the system and the installation will commence.

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You will likely see a System Extension Blocked warning. Click Open Security Preferences.

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In the Security & Privacy panel of System Preferences on macOS High Sierra and later, you will see a message that “System software from developer “Microsoft Corporation” was blocked from loading.

Unlock this preference pane by clicking the lock icon at the bottom left, then enter Administrator credentials authorized to install software on the system.

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Click Allow. 

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After accepting the system extension, the installation progress bar will remain at Running package scripts for a short time. Keep the window open during this time.

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A privacy notification will appear asking for "Installer” to control “Microsoft AutoUpdate”. Click Ok.

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After accepting the system extension and allowing Installer to control Microsoft Update the initial installation should complete, though the recommended configuration is not yet complete. Click Close.

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The system will prompt to allow Microsoft Defender notifications. Click Allow. 

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The Microsoft Defender ATP icon will now appear in the menu bar. It may show an alert notification that the protection definitions are out of date. Click the Microsoft Defender ATP icon in the menu bar and choose Action Recommended.

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In the Microsoft Defender ATP menu, if the Protection definitions are out of date, click Check for updates...

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In addition to updating the Protection definitions, ensure that you are running the latest version of Microsoft Defender ATP after installation by choosing Check For Product Updates from the Microsoft Defender Help menu.

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If you have never launched Microsoft AutoUpdate on your system before, you will see a Required Data Notice. Click OK.

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Microsoft AutoUpdate will check for available updates for Microsoft Products. OIT recommends that you choose Automatically keep Microsoft Apps up to date.

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After Microsoft AutoUpdate finishes checking for available updates, click Update All to install any available updates for Microsoft AutoUpdate and Microsoft Defender ATP, or click Update to update apps individually.