Windows 10: I can't open or use Windows Defender on my Windows 10 anymore

I managed to get a virus to my laptop. It didn't affect as badly as it could've though, and the laptop works quite well. Anyways, after that I loaded some virus detecting/antivirus programs (malwarebytes, zemana & hitmanpro) to make sure that the laptop is clean. I had the windows defender already (made the first detecting with it) and did read that it'd be good to have at least that as the default and malwarebytes at the same time.

Well it didn't work. After loading the other programs I couldn't get the windows defender activated and any scanning done. Then I deleted all the other antiviruses/detecters I Ioaded earlier, which should've helped. After that the windows defender didn't even open. I tried to open it in the safe mode but still nothing. Couldn't do offline scanning either.

Any tips how to get the windows defender to work at this point?

:)

 

Can't turn on Windows Defender Antivirus

After freshly installing Windows 10 N and doing a few initial restarts to finish all updates, I cannot turn Windows Defender on anymore. After pressing "Turn on now" under Security and Maintenance at Virus protection, I get this message:

Security and Maintenance can't turn on Windows Defender Antivirus. Please try again later.

I tried disabling the "Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus" in policy editor, but that did not solve the problem. I also can't even open the Windows Defender Security Centre and I haven't installed any other antivirus.

 

0x80070426

Hello guys,

Currently I can't use my E-Mail program or the Windows Store anymore thanks to the 0x80070426 error. I hope you can help me.

- I have the latest version of Windows 10 Pro installed

- I do not have or ever had another anti virus program installed than Windows Defender

- Windows Defender doesn't update anymore. (error: -2147023834)

- sfc /scannow didn't find any damaged files.

Greetings,

Philipp

 

Hi, basicbunny,

First question:. When you days you deleted the 3rd party solutions you used, were those actually installed, or just run from, day, a .ZIP file that you extracted?

If any of them were installed, did you go through the uninstall process(es) for each one?

 

Hi basicbunny and welcome to Tenforums.
After you answer johngalt's questions, you could have a look at this tutorial, and try turning on Defender using the registry setting in Option #2:

Turn On or Off Windows Defender in Windows 10 Security System Tutorials

See if that helps.

 

One of those programs became your AV and turned off Defender.

 

Try this: Download and run as admin, then PC will restart.

[Batch] Windows Defender Enable - Pastebin.com