Summary
Table of Contents
- Microsoft Defender will remove the standalone AIR investigation experience and stop allowing manual triggering of automated investigation and response.
- AIR capabilities remain built into always-on Microsoft Defender antivirus protection, so detection and response continue automatically by default.
- Security admins and teams using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint or Microsoft Defender XDR should update any playbooks, scripts, or integrations that start AIR.
- Replace AIR-based on-demand investigation workflows with full antivirus scans and update internal documentation and team guidance.
- If AIR is not used manually or through automation, no action is required to preserve protection.
Primary Service: Defender XDR
Admin Impact: High
User Impact: Low
Release Start: 01 Sept 2026
Release End: 01 Sept 2026
Services: Defender XDR
Category: Plan for change
Tags: Admin Action, Retirementm User Adoption
History
7/1/2026 Item Added to Message Center
Microsoft Message
What and Why
As of September 1, 2026, automated investigation and response (AIR) will no longer run as a separate investigation experience or be available for manual triggering in Microsoft Defender.
The protection capabilities of AIR are already embedded within Microsoft Defender’s always-on antivirus protection stack today. Detection and response run automatically as part of default protection, without requiring a separate investigation workflow.
This change is part of our ongoing “shift left” effort to lift the onus of protection from customers by automating detection and response processes, helping ensure consistent outcomes across endpoints without reliance on a separate, manually initiated investigation experience.
With this update, the standalone AIR investigation experience is removed. For on-demand investigations, teams can run full antivirus scans as needed.
Rollout Schedule
- Transition (Worldwide, GCC, GCC High, DoD): Beginning and completing in early September 2026
Impact on Your Organization
Who is affected
- Admins and security teams using Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Microsoft Defender XDR
Platforms/Services
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint across supported platforms
What will happen
- Manual triggering of automated investigation and response (AIR) will no longer be available.
- AIR will no longer run as a separate investigation experience.
- Detection and response will occur automatically as part of always-on antivirus protection.
- Full antivirus scans replace manual AIR investigations for on-demand analysis.
- Any playbooks, scripts, or integrations that initiate AIR will stop working after September 1, 2026, and must be updated before that date.
- Protection remains enabled by default.
Action Required / Recommendations
If you are not using AIR manually or through automation, no action is required to maintain protection.
Action is required for organizations using AIR in playbooks, scripts, or integrations, as these will no longer function after September 1, 2026.
- Review and update any playbooks, scripts, or integrations that initiate AIR before September 1, 2026.
- Replace AIR-based workflows with full antivirus scan workflows for on-demand investigations.
- Update internal documentation that references AIR investigations.
- Inform security and helpdesk teams of this change.
Learn more:
- Microsoft Defender Antivirus full scan considerations and best practices | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Microsoft Defender | Microsoft Learn
- Overview of automated investigations | Microsoft Defender for Endpoint | Microsoft Defender | Microsoft Learn
Compliance considerations
Question: Does the change alter how admins can monitor, report on, or demonstrate compliance activities?
Answer: Yes. AIR will no longer appear as a distinct investigation type, which may affect monitoring and reporting workflows.