Solved Defender will not run

Frank1

New Member
Power User
Messages
473
Location
Ohio
I have windows 8.1 and Windows Defender will not start. If I open defender and try to start nothing happens. I go to services and try to set it to automatic, but automatic is grayed out. If while in services, I click on Start it starts and the immediately shuts down. The only other antivirus program I have installed is Malwarebytes Pro. But I even temporarily disable it, but still can't start Defender. When I open Defender and want to click on Update, it is completely frozen and nothing happens. I thought I could uninstall it in Control Panel, but it's not listed there. Since I do have Malwarebytes Pro which is a good malware program, I'm not going to worry about it too much. But there should be a way to get it running.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion g7-120us Notebook
    Memory
    8 GIG
Have you scanned with MB for possible malware ?

I am not familiar with MB Pro, does it have a firewall and disable Defender ? Is it compatible with 8.1 ? Did they both run ok before, or did you just recently install MB ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 64bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
    CPU
    Intel i3, 2348
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD3000
Thinking that there may have been a conflict with Malwarebytes, I actually uninstalled MB, but I still have the same problem. I'm not sure but I think it may have started when I installed 8.1
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion g7-120us Notebook
    Memory
    8 GIG
I forgot to mention that I did run a scan with MB but it found no problems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion g7-120us Notebook
    Memory
    8 GIG
I thought I could uninstall it in Control Panel, but it's not listed there.
did you check services ,its listed there,2 services ,maybe set to disabled
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
Personally, I would recommend a System Refresh. Files will be retained and most, if not all, apps.

Not good when a main Windows component (Defender) is not working properly.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 64bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
    CPU
    Intel i3, 2348
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD3000
I tried to do a refresh but got a message that said, "The drive where Windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again." So now what--do I have a bigger problem?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion g7-120us Notebook
    Memory
    8 GIG
Restart your computer and see if message is still there.

Also, go to PC settings and select Advanced Startup. It will take you to an option to try to repair your computer.


I have seen this discussed before but can't recall the exact fix. Also, go to the Performance and Maintenance Forum on this site and start a thread about system being locked. Many knowledgeable posters there, moreso than I.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 64bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
    CPU
    Intel i3, 2348
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD3000
I restored the PC to original factory settings after I backed up my data. I then reinstalled Win8 and it's OK now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion g7-120us Notebook
    Memory
    8 GIG
Good to hear !
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 64bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba
    CPU
    Intel i3, 2348
    Memory
    4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD3000
Back
Top