Microsoft Defender Questionaire

Hello

Thanks for reaching out Microsoft Q&A

How are you @Mohammed Altamash Mohammed Suleman Khan

1. OLD MDE:
   Your assumption about N-1 and N-2 support was previously valid. However, starting with MDE version 4.18.24060.0 (June 2024), Microsoft has tightened version enforcement.
2. Impact on feature (if in case flagged as outdated) as below some features may degrade or stop functioning. If your device runs an outdated MDE version
   1. Data Loss Prevention (DLP):
      Endpoint DLP relies heavily on the MDE platform version. If the Defender version is outdated, several critical components may fail. The MpDlpService.exe process, introduced in version 4.18.24060.0, is essential for DLP operations. Without this, policy sync and enforcement may not occur correctly. Policy sync delays can occur, especially on imaged devices with older Defender builds. Outdated versions may not support newer DLP policy actions. Troubleshooting tools like DisplayDlpPolicy.exe and MDE Client Analyzer may not work as expected on older builds.
   2. CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) / Defender for Cloud Apps: CASB capabilities are tightly integrated with Defender for Endpoint and Microsoft Purview. Outdated MDE versions may fail to support session monitoring and control, Shadow IT detection, and adaptive protection policies. Integration with browser extensions for DLP enforcement (e.g., blocking uploads or pastes in unmanaged apps) may be compromised
   3. AV Block Controls:
      While basic antivirus (AV) protection may still function, advanced blocking controls—especially those tied to endpoint behavior analytics and adaptive protection—require up-to-date Defender versions.
3. Email Alerts for Outdated MDE: Currently, Microsoft Defender doesn’t provide a direct way to alert via email for an outdated MDE version. However, you can set up custom monitoring solutions or use Azure Logic Apps to create alerts based on telemetry data regarding the MDE status if desired.
4. Missing DLP Tab in Edge: The absence of the DLP tab in your Edge browser might be due to policy changes or updates not being correctly applied. Ensure that your DLP policies are active and also check if the relevant Microsoft Defender settings are properly configured. If possible, also clear your browser cache or reset the browser to see if it restores the tab. Sometimes browser updates or settings could also result in visible changes.

Recommendation:

Update to the latest MDE version.

Use tools like MDE Client Analyzer to validate policy sync and enforcement.

Regularly audit device onboarding and browser extension status via the Purview portal.

If you have any further questions, feel free to respond in this same thread.

Hello @Mohammed Altamash Mohammed Suleman Khan ,

We haven’t heard from you on the last response and was just checking back to see if you have a resolution yet. In case if you have any resolution please do share that same with the community as it can be helpful to others. Otherwise, will respond with more details and we will try to help.

Thanks you for answering the question. Highly appreciate if you can provide a link to the answer of 1st question. Im not getting a microsoft document where they straight forward say 'we need latest update and nothing else'

Hi @Mohammed Altamash Mohammed Suleman Khan ,

Thanks for reaching out Microsoft Q&A

MDE Version Support

Your assumption about N-1 and N-2 was valid in the past, but starting mid-2024 Microsoft has tightened enforcement. Devices on outdated Defender platform versions are now flagged in the portal, and features may degrade.

reference: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint – Platform Updates & Support Policy

This states that only the latest platform update and the immediately preceding versions receive technical upgrade support. Running older versions is considered unsupported.

If you have any further questions, feel free to respond in this same thread.