Cannot turn on Windows Defender

Jayden16

New Member
Messages
1
Location
Brisbane, Australia
Hi guys!

I'm new to the forums (first post) so please be kind, haha!

I have recently built a PC myself and had no issues whatsoever, until the other day when an Action Centre notification popped up. For some reason, Spyware and Virus protection have both turned off automatically and when I am prompted to turn them back on, I get an error saying "Action Centre can't turn on Windows Defender. Please try again later."

I have tried the services.msc method and tried to activate WinDefend that way, but encounter another error "Windows could not start the WinDefend service on Local Computer. Error 2: The system cannot find the file specified."

I have looked up this issue with no resolution yet - as most of the solutions are for people that have installed third party Protection Programs like AVG, Norton etc.

I haven't installed any programs like that, and have also checked in the Control Panel to make sure one didn't install itself automatically with an install of another program.

If anyone could help me out with some tips, that would be greatly appreciated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 4670K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z87-PRO4 Motherboard
    Memory
    G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI GeForce GTX 760 Gaming Edition OC 2GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VX238H 23"
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO Series 120GB SSD
    Seagate Barracuda 2TB
    PSU
    Corsair HX-650 V2 80 PLUS Gold Power Supply
    Case
    Corsair Graphite 230T Case with Window Black
    Cooling
    2 x 120mm intake fans, Deepcool GAMMAXX S40 CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Razer Deathadder
    Internet Speed
    Telstra Ultimate Cable - 100Mbps Down
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Hey mate,

This is not a solution to your problem, but hear me out. Consider another AV for a moment. I used to use Defender exclusively until I met Avast!, which runs faster than Defender and is better at catching malware, as numerous tests show. So I would recommend installing both Avast! and another program called Mbam from Malwarebytes.org. Use both of their full scans to check your computer for infection (because defender was somehow disabled).

Then, either we can try to fix defender, or you can stick with Avast! The choice, is yours.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3820 CPU OC @ 3.80GHz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte G1.Assassin2
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator 16GB Quad Channel DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia by EVGA - GeForce GTX 670 4GB
    Sound Card
    On board Creative SB X-Fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    acer 24" H243H
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Main 500GB Hybrid Drive @ 7,200RPM
    Secondary OCZ SSD Vertex 3 Max IOPS
    PSU
    Silent Pro 1000w gold 80+
    Case
    Azza Hurrican 2000
    Cooling
    Liquid CPU cooler & fans
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
    Mouse
    Tek Republic Wired Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    5ms Ping 5.15Mb/s Download .64Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer
    Antivirus
    Defender, Malwarebytes
Have you tried running a SFC yet to see if there are problems that need to be repaired?

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/3047-sfc-scannow-command-run-windows-8-a.html

Be sure to run SFC 3X since it doesn't always fix everything on the 1st 2 tries.

It's possible you picked up some malware that's preventing Defender from running. Try doing a scan with the following tools:

Malwarebytes (the free version will work fine). If MBAM finds anything after a full system scan, check the boxes of found items & quarantine them.

https://www.malwarebytes.org/free/

TDSSKiller (to rule out the possibility of rootkits)

TDSSKiller Download

AdwCleaner

AdwCleaner Download
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 32, Win 7 64 Pro, Win 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    It's a Dell, Dude.
    CPU
    Intel Caffinated Core Duo
    Motherboard
    Father is bored too.
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia something-or-another
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" HD TV/Monitor/Alternative Dimensional Viewing Portal
    Screen Resolution
    Fuzzy after a couple drinks
    Hard Drives
    2 or 3, depending on if it's a night they're arguing about having a "split personality crisis" because I partitioned the drive.
    Case
    Don't get on my case....man
    Cooling
    Scotch on the rocks on the weekends..
    Keyboard
    Mad Catz Cyborg V7. Or maybe Cyborg Catz Are Mad At V7's??? I know it lights up...far out.
    Mouse
    currently being stalked by the cat...
    Internet Speed
    Never fast enough...
    Browser
    Defeated by Mario...wait...OH...BRowser...
    Antivirus
    Various
Finally Figured it out... HP Laptop

First make sure you delete the Norton trial that came on your computer. Next on the bottom right corner of your screen next to the time and battery usage there is a tiny white arrow. when u click it brings up icons. One is a little flag. When u click that the flag it tells u important messages on your computer and one will say "turn on anti-virus". Once you click that windows defender pops up and starts running.

I tried all the other steps to no avail. this is the only thing that worked. Hope it helps someone



Aislinn:D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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