Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Cloud and workloadsEnable preview features in the Defender portal
In brief
The article now clarifies prerequisites, enablement steps, the up-to-24-hour activation period, new preview recommendations, and where to find Defender for Cloud in the Azure portal. It also adds related-content links and updated metadata.
What Defender admins need to know
Administrators can use the revised guidance to understand what to expect after enabling preview features. No administrator action is required.
Summaries are generated from the documentation change itself.
Documentation change
View on Microsoft LearnThe comparison below shows only the changed extract. Use the full-page view for complete context.
Enable preview features in the Defender portal
Prerequisites
Defender for Cloud with at least one paid plan areis eligible to experience the newDefender for Cloud preview capabilities in preview.the Defender portal.
Accounts must have one of the following Entra ID roles:
Ensure both "Microsoft Defender XDR" and "Microsoft Defender for Cloud" options are selected.
What tohappens after you enable preview features
After you enable preview features, expect the following changes:
- Preview features
enablementmay take up to 24hours.hours to turn on. The enablementEnabling preview features introduces new security recommendations in preview in the Azure portal.- Once preview features are enabled,
you can accessfind Defender for Cloudfromin the leftnavigationmenu under Cloud security.
Next stepsRelated content
For more information, see the following resources:
@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@ --- title: Enable preview features in the Defender portal-description: Learn how to enable and configure preview features for Microsoft Defender for Cloud in the Defender portal to access the latest capabilities and enhancements.+description: Learn how to enable preview features for Microsoft Defender for Cloud in the Defender portal, including prerequisites, steps, and what to expect. ms.topic: how-to-ms.date: 11/10/2025+ms.date: 07/03/2026 ms.service: defender-for-cloud ai-usage: ai-assisted+ms.custom: msecd-doc-authoring-1013 --- # Enable preview features in the Defender portal@@ -16,7 +17,7 @@ Defender for Cloud expansion to the Defender portal is in preview phase and alig ## Prerequisites -Defender for Cloud with at least one paid plan are eligible to experience the new capabilities in preview.+Defender for Cloud with at least one paid plan is eligible to experience the Defender for Cloud preview capabilities in the Defender portal. Accounts must have one of the following Entra ID roles: @@ -29,13 +30,19 @@ In the Microsoft Defender portal, navigate to **Settings** > **Microsoft Defende Ensure both "Microsoft Defender XDR" and "Microsoft Defender for Cloud" options are selected. -## What to expect+<a name="what-to-expect"></a>+## What happens after you enable preview features -- Preview features enablement may take up to 24 hours.-- The enablement introduces new security recommendations in preview in the Azure portal.-- Once enabled, you can access Defender for Cloud from the left navigation menu under **Cloud security**.+After you enable preview features, expect the following changes: -## Next steps+- Preview features may take up to 24 hours to turn on.+- Enabling preview features introduces new security recommendations in preview in the Azure portal.+- Once preview features are enabled, find Defender for Cloud in the left menu under **Cloud security**.++<a name="next-steps"></a>+## Related content++For more information, see the following resources: - [Overview of Defender for Cloud in Defender portal](defender-for-cloud-defender-portal.md) - [Known limitations](known-limitations.md)