windows security center issue

I recently received an action center message Windows security center service turned off. I tried to turn on and it states it cannot be started. after many searches about this I tried to turn it on manually through services.msc but it is not there. Is this service important or can I run without it? I was also kicking around the idea of a "refresh" but found that it's features are misleading. It only saves you documents and settings but everything else is gone. There are ways around this from what I can tell by creating a custom image and restoring that. However that seems awfully complicated, and wouldn't the image have to be made before the problem I am having occured? If I created an image now won't it still be missing security center? I also trie to use restore to fix the problem, but the 7 points I have that were before the problem all come up with a message stating restore was not successful and to try another. Any suggestions anyone may have would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Hmm, I don't seem to have a service by that name either ... Could you post a screenshot of the error that you're getting?

In the taskbar I saw the flag with the red x. When I right click and select open action center this main window opens. When I click on turn on now the error box to the right appears. When clicking on troubleshoot it is of little or no help. That's when I went to google and tried to start it through services.msc and noticed it not there. It doesn't seem to be a problem, that is obvious anyway. I ran norton scan, Advanced system Care scan, Iobit malware removal and smart defrag, and no issues were found. I may just run with it till it goes kaplooey and then deal with it. I do regular backups and keep all my important personal files on external drives so the only major loss would be installed programs that I can just reinstall.

ps:I've never attached a pic to a post here, so I hope I did it right.

Do you have any 3rd party Antivirus or security programs installed?

In your notification area I notice that you have Norton running.


Can it be that this could be the cause of your issue? Or am I completely missing something?

Skulblaka said:

In your notification area I notice that you have Norton running.
View attachment 22716

Can it be that this could be the cause of your issue? Or am I completely missing something?

Click to expand...

Julian said:

Do you have any 3rd party Antivirus or security programs installed?

Click to expand...

Yes I have Norton antivirus, Advanced System Care (ASC), and Iobit Malware Fighter(IMF). I have been using Norton and ASC for years on 5 laptops and 2 desktops (1 Win XP, 3 Win Vista 32bit, and 3 Win 7, I think all 3 64bit) for about 2 years and IMF on the same comps for a few months. None of those computers had any issues with the 3 programs. The comp I am having the issue with is Windows 8 64 bit, and had norton and ASC running since I bought it in January, and IMF for about 2 months. I also have a couple of disk and registry scanners I use, but haven't on the troubled comp yet. The problem didn't start until 4 or 5 days ago. I have tried uninstalling all 3 and still it won't start. I'm wondering just how important that service is. The only difference I have noticed in my comp since it started has been a good thing. Normally when I run any scans like Disk checks, malware fix, or registr fixes, it always seems to find something abnormal, even if I run a scan right after I just fixed any errors. But since this has started it's not finding as many issues.
I think I will probably run with it until I have a major issue. I usually format and do clean installs about once a year or so, maybe a bit mor or less depending on how it's running. I;ll try to tackle it then and see if I can fix it with no worries anout losing anything.

Just a suggestion, it's best to ignore those "optimizers" and "registry cleaners". They cause far more issues than solve. It's possible that this may be the cause. It could even be Norton itself being nasty (no surprise).

You say you have removed Norton. Have you tried using the Norton Removal Tool? Norton is known for being a nightmare...

Also, I find your version of Windows 8 curious. Is it a beta (start button) or a preview?

Skulblaka said:

You say you have removed Norton. Have you tried using the Norton Removal Tool? Norton is known for being a nightmare...

Also, I find your version of Windows 8 curious. Is it a beta (start button) or a preview?

Click to expand...

I use a program called pc wizard, this gives me all kinds of system info, that's where the version @ came from.
As far as removing norton goes, I didnot use the removal tool. I don't really think that would be the problem or I would have the problem on other computers. I have been using norton for many years, going all the way back to when it took 25 or 30 floppy disks to install it. After all these years would it really all of a sudden start causing a problem? And only on 1 computer? I would hate to think that I have spent about $120 per year fo who knows how long on a product that causes the problems it's supposed to avoid. If it is no good what antivirus programs do you suggest?

Norton has a bad reputation that holds even today. The program is a mess. Even in these forums it's not looked upon kindly. I used to download paid AV software because I thought they were better. I tried a ton of them. After a few years I switched to free AV such as Avast and AVG (don't use AVG because it's pretty bad). I used Avast for a few months, it was good but I grew tired of being nagged to buy it even thought it's free and just as good as their paid version.

When I began using Windows 8, I noticed that it had a built-in and free AV program named Windows Defender. So I thought to myself, why use third-party software that bombards you to pay for protection when Windows already has one. So I removed all traces of third-party AV software and began using Windows Defender.

Take note, if you don't download random things and deliberately try to infect your computer, you will be fine without any AV software. It just helps to have something as a precaution. You won't even see Windows Defender running, it's a background process, like a Firewall. I don't worry about compatibility issues or renewing my "subscription" and the updates are done through Windows Update. Also, most (if not all) people suggest you get Malwarebytes to pair with your free AV. Malwarebytes is free (you can buy it if you want) and it's used only for scanning your system about once a month as a precaution. Malwarebytes is an amazing program, the most popular and free utility. You can't go wrong with it.

My suggestion, remove Norton and Malware Fighter and substitute them with Windows Defender (enable it through Action Center) and install Malwarebytes.

You can also browse the Security section of this forum because there have been an incalculable amount of people asking about the "best" AV software. Most answers point towards Avast or Windows Defender that is paired with Malwarebytes.

Otherwise, are there settings in Norton that allow you to control MSC? Try looking under the Miscellaneous category of Norton's settings. I think there should be a setting (slider?). Another thought I may have is that your Malware program is running in the background (same thing as Norton) and MSC cannot be enabled because of compatibility issues when running multiple AV programs.

OK I don't know what's going on now, but here is what is and has happened. I decided to take everybody's word and jump in the pool.
1. I installes malwarebytes and performed a scan and it found no issues.
2. I removed Norton (yes I used the norton removal tool) and restarted system.
a.The restart took an exceptionally long time to complete. Normally when I click restart it is back to the desktop (as long as I am there to put password in when it asks) within 25-30 seconds. this time it took about 4-5 minutes.
3. When it finally started I noticed the flag with the x was gone. I thought everything was fixed. Uh not so fast.
4. I went to control panel to make sure defender and firewall were up and running. I received errors. When I click on defender I Got this error "An error has occured in the program during initialization. If this problem continues contact the system Administrator. (Ha ha ha I AM the system administrator. LOL) error code:0x80073b01". And when I tried to start fire wall I got this Error "Windows Firewall cannot change some settings. Error code: 0x80070424"I did not receive this error before when I tried to start firewall , the popup just said cannot be started at this time. I didn't try to start defender before so not sure if that's new or not.
5. I tried to restart again and this time the flag was back.
6. I looked up the error codes online and couldn't find anything with error pertaining to windows 8 only 7.
7. I didn't want to run with no antivirus so I installed Avast. It ran a 2 minute scan and said no problems found.
That is where I stand as of now. I think 1 of the posts I was reading when I looked up the error codes said to make sure windows was updated so I will probably try that.

I guess you can stick with Avast, it's a fine program.

If the problem still persists with your Firewall, then you can try Windows 8's system refresh option. This will "reinstall" the operating system without affecting your files. It might fix your issues with Action Center.

I hope the update works though. Make sure to double check the "Additional Updates" section.

zbrufan813,

Please do the following:
Go to the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool Download
Select the version that applies toyour system: 32-bit or 64-bit
Save it to your Desktop.
Double-click the downloaded file to run it.

When the tool opens click Yes to the disclaimer.
Press the Scan button.

FRST64 makes a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory from which the tool is run (Desktop).

Please provide the FRST.txt in your reply. <<---

The first time the tool is run, it also makes another log: Addition.txt
Also post the: Addition.txt in your reply. <<---



Next, download Farbar Service Scanner


Save to the Desktop

• Make sure the following options are checked:
  • Internet Services
  • Windows Firewall
  • System Restore
  • Security Center
  • Windows Update
  • Windows Defender
• Press: Scan
• FSS creates a log, FSS.txt, on the Desktop.

Please provide the FSS.txt in your reply.

It is vital to keep Windows updated.
Also, I have had experience with Norton and you will do well to stay away from it. Use Defender for Win 8 with the Win firewall, all behind a router. Run MBAM occasionally.

I tell people that all of the time, and they look at me like I have a growth in the middle of my forehead. Norton is the worse excuse for security in existence. And trying to get rid of it is a total nightmare! RevoUninstaller does a good job of getting the registry entries out.

But this issue I have with the error code 0x80073b01 is nightmarish as well. I have run safety scanner, malwarebytes, superantispyware, and none of them makes that stupid 'WARNING' go away. Then, when I look in services.msc, I see Defender on. That's what scares me. It seems to indicate that I have some intrusion software somewhere, and not finding it is frustrating.

This computer isn't "necessary", but it is on my network, and that's what worries me. I have 4 other systems, plus I service others' systems, and connect through my network.

So, what's the answer to solving this mystery?

cottonball said:

zbrufan813,

Please do the following:
Go to the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool Download
Select the version that applies toyour system: 32-bit or 64-bit
Save it to your Desktop.
Double-click the downloaded file to run it.

When the tool opens click Yes to the disclaimer.
Press the Scan button.

FRST64 makes a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory from which the tool is run (Desktop).

Please provide the FRST.txt in your reply. <<---

The first time the tool is run, it also makes another log: Addition.txt
Also post the: Addition.txt in your reply. <<---



Next, download Farbar Service Scanner


Save to the Desktop

• Make sure the following options are checked:
  • Internet Services
  • Windows Firewall
  • System Restore
  • Security Center
  • Windows Update
  • Windows Defender
• Press: Scan
• FSS creates a log, FSS.txt, on the Desktop.

Please provide the FSS.txt in your reply.

Click to expand...

I ran the scanner and my report showed nothing. I'll attach the files and maybe you can see something. I can't relate to any of the logs.

Is the action center turned off or the security center?
If it's the security center, it may have been disabled in the services.
Check in : run > services.msc and make sure "Security Center" is not set to disabled...

The default for that is Automatic (delayed start)...

That Security Center is NOT in my list of services. When I read what zbrufan813 wrote, I immediately checked. I was also checking the Defender status, which as I reported, was running.

I ran the sfc /scannow, and sfc /verifyonly command. The initial scan showed 1 issue. The "verify only" scan showed 1 issue, and fixed it. I restarted my computer, and the red "X" was gone, as well as the flag notification itself. So, I'm assuming that the two "sfc" scans fixed my problem. (I just ran in there to check it today, and yes, it's still showing good). I was going to go on the site and affirm what I did so that, maybe, it would help zbrufan813 too.

Run "sfc /scannow" from a command prompt with elevated permissions. I'm thinking your BFE (base filtering engine) component in Win8 may be corrupt...

Ah, I did that..., ran the sfc /scannow from an elevated permission..., as administrator. I ran the verify only at the same elevation. I think my problem is solved from running those two scans. I guess I didn't really make that clear above. Sorry...