Solved Windows Defender turned off

[Margo]

My Windows Defender is turned off. I was able to click around enough until I found an area that told me that McAfee is controlling this. I don't want McAfee. But when I try to bring up or right click on Windows Defender I get a pop up that tells me it is turned off and it won't let me do anything.
TIA

 

[Borg 386]

This is standard operating procedure for most Anti Viruses, to disable Defender or other AV's. Two AV's running together with real time protection enabled causes conflicts, so the AV generally disables any other AV. Unfortunately McAfee is like that, and it does tend to be somewhat draconian.

With all the problems I've seen in the past with McAfee, you would be better off to remove it & get something, anything, aside from that. Win 7 forum is full of posts where McAfee has caused numerous problems & I've had many personal experiences with it...all bad.

The following articles will show you how to remove McAfee should you wish to.

Uninstallers (removal tools) for common antivirus software

Uninstallers (removal tools) for common antivirus software - ESET Knowledgebase

Other articles relevant to removal.

How to Uninstall McAfee Security Center

Uninstall McAfee

 

[Margo]

Borg,
Thanks so much for the reply. I can't just go to programs and uninstall? I'm like you and do not care for MvAfee. It came with the computer, so I didn't have a choice.
TIA
Maggie

 

[Margo]

Borg,
McAfee is gone and Win defender is on...Thanks a ton!!!
Merry Christmas

Maggie

 

[Borg 386]

Glad you got it sorted. Happy Holidays to you as well

Generally it's best to use an uninstaller for the AV program. There is a uninstaller you can use on programs that does a thorough job. But you should be careful using it, as you can easily hose your system. The program is Revo uninstaller, it does a full scan & removes programs all the way to the registry level. Here is a link to the site.

If you decide to use this in the future, please be sure to read the documentation all the way through & make a back up before running it. The free version will work fine.

Download Revo Uninstaller Freeware - Free and Full Download - Uninstall software, remove programs, solve uninstall problems

You could also run CCleaner (free) & do a scan to see if any registry files are left over from McFubar. CCleaner gives you the option to back up these registry files before removing them, so if something goes amiss, you can reinstall them. As before, read the documentation on using this tool.

https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download