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Bitdefender updates automatically, but you can check manually whenever you want. On Windows, right-click the Bitdefender icon in the taskbar and select Update Now. On Mac, open Bitdefender and choose Actions > Update threat information database, or press Command-U. Keep the device online, and restart if Bitdefender asks you to.
Manually update Bitdefender
The manual update control depends on your operating system. These steps check for updates; on Mac, the named command specifically checks threat information.
Windows
- Connect the computer to the internet.
- Right-click the Bitdefender icon in the taskbar notification area.
- Select Update Now and let the update window finish.
- Restart the computer if Bitdefender prompts you to do so.
Bitdefender says its Windows software checks for updates every hour after the computer starts. A manual check is useful if you want to prompt an update sooner. See Bitdefender’s Windows version and update guide.
Mac
- Connect the Mac to the internet.
- Open the Bitdefender interface.
- Choose Actions > Update threat information database, or press Command-U.
- If a product update asks for a restart, restart the Mac.
Automatic updates are enabled by default on Mac. Bitdefender checks hourly when the Mac is online and Bitdefender Shield is enabled under Preferences > Protection. Details are in Bitdefender’s Mac update guide.
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Threat updates and product updates are different
A threat-information update refreshes the data Bitdefender uses to identify threats. A product update changes the application itself and may change its version number or require a restart. The two do not follow one universal schedule.
| Platform | Threat information | Product updates |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Bitdefender says threat definitions update daily. | Major version updates happen about every four weeks, according to Bitdefender. |
| Mac | Signatures may update multiple times a day, according to Bitdefender. | Product version changes happen less frequently; Bitdefender does not give a fixed interval in its Mac guide. |
These schedules describe the update patterns Bitdefender publishes, not a guarantee that every device receives each update at the same moment. For the latest platform-specific details, consult the Windows guide or Mac guide.
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Check which Bitdefender version is installed
On Windows, open Bitdefender’s Product information area to see the build installed. Bitdefender distributes Windows builds gradually, so a newer build listed in its update guide may not yet be available on every computer. A restart prompt may appear when an update is ready to complete.
As of Bitdefender’s published information, Windows build 27.0.62.355 was released on September 9, 2026, with a new Advanced Threat Defense driver. The rollout is gradual. On Mac, version 10.3.4.12 was released on August 17, 2026; that rollout is also gradual and may request a restart. These version details can change; check Bitdefender’s Windows version guide and Mac version guide for current listings.
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What to do if Bitdefender hasn’t updated
Windows: check for a later successful update
Open Notifications and check whether an update that initially failed later succeeded. Bitdefender says an occasional update error followed by a successful update needs no action. If no successful update has occurred in 24 hours, note the displayed error and follow the troubleshooting steps for that error in Bitdefender’s Windows update-error guide. The fix depends on the specific error, so avoid treating any one system repair command as a universal solution.
Mac: check connectivity and protection settings
Confirm the Mac is online. If you expect automatic checks, verify that Bitdefender Shield is enabled under Preferences > Protection. Then try the manual command: Actions > Update threat information database or Command-U. Follow any restart prompt for a product update.
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Find help for a specific update problem
Bitdefender’s update support topic lists separate help for Windows and Mac update errors, proxy-server configuration, offline threat-definition updates, and checking the application version. Use the guide that matches the problem rather than applying instructions for a different error.
Check compatibility if updates still do not work
Bitdefender’s requirements vary by application and operating system. Its requirements page covers consumer security apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, and says it supports final, officially released operating systems—not beta or pre-release versions. Check the requirements for your specific product and device on Bitdefender’s system requirements page.
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