Windows 10: Cannot turn on Windows Defender - "Turned off by Group administrator" and C drive at 100%...

I'll be honest, I don't know much about computers, so I'm not sure if both of these issues could be caused by the same issue or if they require different solutions.


Windows Defender:

When I tried to turn on windows defender, I got a message telling me to contact my group administrator. My laptop was given to me by a friend who used to use it in her medical office, so there used to be a "group administrator", but not anymore. I've tried the command prompt to edit the group policy, but it couldn't open. I've read that I can download something to be able to edit the group policy, but I'm nervous about downloading anything off the internet while I have no anti-virus turned on. I will if I have to, but thought I should ask experts first.

C Drive:

Task manager shows the C drive is at 100% activity level (resting state). I've tried some solutions I found online: Uninstalled Google Chrome; disabled windows search temporarily; rebooted in safe mode (helped, but would still spike to 100% at rest or when opening programs); tried to do a clean install of Windows (got an error message saying it could not reinstall, no further information given); ran command prompt chkdsk for drives (results similar to booting in safe mode; laptop is faster but still not normal speed).


Because the laptop is very slow (takes 3-5 mins to open internet explorer, 10-20 seconds to type a single letter, etc) it's hard to troubleshoot. It took 20 excruciating hours to install one windows update.


Any help would be greatly appreciated.

KC

:)

 

windows defender is turned off by group policy

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

As per the issue description you are unable to use Windows defender as you are getting message that it is turned off by group policy and you could not turn it on. I would suggest you to try the steps provided below and see if it helps you to fix the issue.

Method 1:

I would suggest you to make the “Windows defender Service” is running and startup type is set to “Automatic”. To check the same follow these steps:

a. Press “Windows key + R” from keyboard.

b. Type “services.msc” without quotes in the “Run” Window and hit enter.

c. Search for “Windows Defender Service”.

d. Make sure that it is running and make “Startup Type” to “Automatic”.

e. Restart the computer and then check how it works.

Method 2

If issue persists, try to follow the suggestion provided by MrIcee2 replied on
September 20, 2015 in the thread mentioned below and see if it helps you to fix the issue.

Windows Defender Won't Turn On After Windows 10 Download


Hope this would help. If issue still persists post back with current status of your computer and result of proposed suggestion, we will be happy to assist you.

Regards,

 

windows defender is turned off by group policy

didn't help

 

Windows defender turned off by group policy

I am getting an error while turning on windows defender i.e.,app turned off by group policy.when I tried to turn it on with suggested answer (windows defender is turned off by group policy
replied digital signature damaged .Ho to turn on windows-defender?

[Moved from Windows 10]