Windows 10: I can't seem to turn on Microsoft Defender

I found a bunch of malwares in my computer. I used Malwarebytes to remove them all. I used the rootkit scan and it took 8 hours to complete. I removed a total of 30 malwares, and a few more with Adware Cleaner from MalwareBytes.


But I am still unable to turn on Windows Defender. The Windows Security page is just empty... Just like this guy in this post:https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...d-pc-was/c4cc47e5-8af0-49fa-bc41-488bea9f2107


The firewall and network settings says: Windows Defender Firewall is using settings that may make your device unsafe.


I click on Restore Settings. It asks for my User Control Permission, but nothing happens after.


I have followed the answers on this article: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...d-pc-was/c4cc47e5-8af0-49fa-bc41-488bea9f2107


I also followed the steps on this guide https://www.reddit.com/r/techsuppor...ested_reading_official_malware_removal_guide/


Using command line sfc /scannow have resulted in the following:

Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them.
For online repairs, details are included in the CBS log file located at
windir\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For example C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log. For offline
repairs, details are included in the log file provided by the /OFFLOGFILE flag.


A little background information: I had installed Avast but I had since deleted it. And I have recently also used the Avast Uninstaller program provided from Avast themselves. Before I noticed the malwares, I believe Windows Defender was working as normal AFTER I removed Avast.


Thank you and please help.

:)

 

WINDOWS DEFENDER is turned off

Hi Ahmed,

Since you're not able to turn on Windows Defender as well, we'd like to know if you have made any changes recently prior to this issue. In the meantime, you may follow the steps below on how to turn on Windows Defender manually:

• Type Windows Defender in the Search bar and press
  Enter.
  
• Go to Settings and make sure that the Turn on real-time protection recommended option is turned on.
  

Same thing with the other members who are having the same issue, we suggest that you check if the service was setup to
Automatic in the Services option. Please follow the steps that we've provided last
September 3, 2017.

Let us know how if you were able to turn it on properly by changing the Startup type to Automatic.

 

Windows Defender of Windows 10 stoped working and is not turning on

Hello NasirMahmood1,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community forum.

Have you installed any third party anti-virus software?

Step 1: Turn Windows Defender Service On.

Initially, we need to check with the status of
Windows Defender Service which might be stopping the defender to turn on.

• Press Windows key + R and type
  services.msc and press Enter key.
  
• Search for Windows Defender Service and check if it has been started.
  
• Right click on Windows Defender Service and click on
  Restart.
  

Step 2: Turn On Windows Defender Antivirus using Group Policy.

As you are on Windows 10 Pro build, I would suggest
gpedit.msc settings from the following link and set it to Disabled or not configured to
turn on real time protection setting. Follow the steps mentioned under
Disable real-time protection from the article-
Enable and configure antivirus always-on protection and monitoring.

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Mala S

Microsoft Community – Moderator

 

Unable to turn off Windows Defender

Hello,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

As per description, you are unable to turn off windows defender.

I suggest you try restarting Windows Defender service and check if issue is resolved. To do so kindly follow the below given steps:

• Press Windows key + X key and type services.msc,
  hit enter.
• Search Windows Defender Service.:1) Windows Defender Service ; 2)
  Windows Defender Network.
• Right click on each and press Start.
• Restart your computer and check if issue persist.

Hope this information is helpful. Please do let us know if you need further assistance with Windows, we’ll be glad to assist you.