Windows Defender went off & won't turn on (8.1)

Lazlolaw

New Member
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1
Hi,

Running Windows 8.1 on Dell XPS bot last fall. Have been running Windows Firewall and Window Defender from the beginning.

Last week, "Solve PC Issues" notifications on bottom bar indicated Windows Defender turned off. Clicked the "Turn On Now" button. Got following pop-up message:
An error has occurred in the program during
initialization. If this problem continues please
contact your administrator. Error code 0x80073b01


Went to control panel > system and security > action center. Same message in notifications. Clicked "Turn on Now" from there - same result. Also tried to turn on as administrator (I am the moron administrator). Same result.

I never ran another anti virus program on this computer. None are listed among programs for deletion (maybe one came with, but I don't see it and never activated it). I did not ever turn off Defender. I do have the Spybot free program installed, but that has been on since beginning of February with no problems, and I think it only runs manually when I do a scan (it is more anti-malware I think, not full always running anti-virus).

Suggestions? Help? (Please). Thanks, Lazlo
 
As far as I have checked the error could be an infection.
Have you tried a third av program or any anti-malware programs?
 
The Error code means ERROR_MUI_FILE_NOT_LOADED

Windows key + X, select Command Prompt (Admin) and type sfc /scannow

When completed type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Then rerun the sfc command again, reboot and see if Defender is working.
 
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