New Windows 8 laptop missing defender antivirus

I bought my mum a new HP laptop yesterday and we intended using the Windows Defender software only. The laptop came with a 60 day Nortons trial which we deselected during the installation. When installation was complete the first thing we checked was that Defender was running. Unfortunately it was disabled. We looked in the Control Panel, Action Centre. Security is listed and switched off but Virus Protection is totally missing so we can't switch it on. I saw no other option but to switch Norton on to protect the laptop. Norton had installed anyway even though we chose not to install it during set up. I really don't want to pay for a Norton upgrade in 60 days time.
My mum isn't very computer literate and I was helping her to set up the computer via Skype on another laptop as we live in different countries. Not the easiest scenario. Also I'm a mac user and my pc knowledge is very basic. I'm finding this forum very helpful!
Does anyone know what I can do about the missing antivirus part of Defender? Should I just choose a different free antivirus when the 60 days runs out or is there a way to get defender working properly?
Thanks!

Go to the Norton website and use (only) their uninstaller tool to uninstall the trial version. Not sure if you will have to reactivate it to uninstall it. But, get totally rid of the darn thing. Then, see if Windows Defender is revived automatically or can be started.

IrishEyesAbroad,

Windows Defender is probably deactivated in order to ship boxed PCs with alternative security solutions installed,
such as Norton. Also, Windows 8 doesn't automatically reactivate Windows Defender by default.

Once you get done uninstalling Norton as mentioned by znod, please post an image of the Windows Defender Service information in your system.

To see the service, press the Windows key and the R key simultaneously.
In the Run box that appears, type: services.msc
In the Services window, go down to: Windows Defender
Double click on Windows Defender, to bring up its Properties.

To take a snapshot of it, here is what you do:
Hold the 'Alt' key and press the 'Print Screen' key (often just labeled 'Prt Sc') on the keyboard.

Open an image editing application such as the MS Paint program under Start > Accessories
Paste the captured image into MS Paint.
In MS Paint, go to File > Save as, and save the image as a (.GIF) file on your Desktop (easy to find)

Next:
Connect to the Internet, and go to Photobucket:
Photo and image hosting, free photo galleries, photo editing | Photobucket
Once there, create a free account.
Click 'Browse' and search for the file located on your Desktop.
Click Upload.
After uploading, place the cursor on the image. Four different link options show underneath the uploaded image.
Click on: IMG code (This line is used for using your image in a forum post.
It makes the image appear full size in your reply.)
The IMG code is pasted to the clipboard
In your next post, right click on an open area, and select: Paste

znod said:

Go to the Norton website and use (only) their uninstaller tool to uninstall the trial version. Not sure if you will have to reactivate it to uninstall it. But, get totally rid of the darn thing. Then, see if Windows Defender is revived automatically or can be started.

Click to expand...

If you can't remove Norton, use their "tool" to do so, it's a great suggestion.

Once you uninstalled any and all additional "anti-viruses" that came pre-installed, all you need to do is visit the "Action Center" and you should have a warning from Windows to enable Windows Defender (or install a different anti-virus program). I don't believe Windows Defender re-enables automatically.

I thought it reactivated when I uninstalled Bit Defender, but could be wrong. As long as he knows two things are possible, then we are good.

Skulblaka said:

znod said:

Go to the Norton website and use (only) their uninstaller tool to uninstall the trial version. Not sure if you will have to reactivate it to uninstall it. But, get totally rid of the darn thing. Then, see if Windows Defender is revived automatically or can be started.

Click to expand...

If you can't remove Norton, use their "tool" to do so, it's a great suggestion.

Once you uninstalled any and all additional "anti-viruses" that came pre-installed, all you need to do is visit the "Action Center" and you should have a warning from Windows to enable Windows Defender (or install a different anti-virus program). I don't believe Windows Defender re-enables automatically.

Click to expand...

This is the way I am familiar with that should work. So, please don't forget to visit the Action Center after you uninstalled Norton to reenable Windows Defender.

Thank you all for your replies. I haven't had the chance to discuss it with my mum yet. The process is complicated by the fact that I'll have to talk my mum through the steps via skype as we are in different countries. I know it's only a few steps but I can see it taking a long time. At the moment Mammy is very pleased with her new laptop and my worry is that we will delete Nortons and not be able to get Defender working. Currently in her Action Centre there is no mention of Antivirus. It's not simply deactivated - it's either hidden or deleted. I'd feel confident about getting it done if I was actually doing it myself rather than guiding her. I'm afraid she'll end up not being able to use the laptop. Mammy is visiting in April so maybe we'll wait until then to sort this out. Thank you again for the advice. It's much appreciated. I will follow it in due course.

Thanks for thr update.