Windows 10: my windows virus protection wouldn't turn on. It says it is being managed by my...

My Defender is running except the virus protection. I tried to turn it on but it wouldn't. The message said that it is run by my organization. What does that mean?

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Turning on spyware and virus protection

I have Windows 10 and have been advised that both my spyware and virus protections are not turned on. I have tried to turn them on but to no avail. I do not have any competing protection installed on my computer. Please advise as to how to proceed.

 

How to turn on Window Defender virus protection.

I installed Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Now my Windows Defender is turned off. I need the virus protection but am unable to turn on Defender virus protection. I am using Windows 10. Any suggestions?

 

Cannot turn on Windows Defender virus protection

I had the same sort of symptoms. In the Windows Security Center, under Virus and threat protection, it said "Your virus & threat protection is managed by your organization."





I note you mentioned the Registry Keys under HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows Defender. Nice spotting, but it seems like there is another key that is causing the problem for some users.

Steps to a solution:

1. Press the Windows key and type "regedit"
   
2. On the regedit icon that appears, right-click and select Run as Administrator.
   
3. Navigate to the folder located at HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender (You can paste this into the address box at the top of the window, or navigate manually using the side directory structure)
   
4. In this folder, there are probably two keys. Right-click and Delete the DisableAntiSpyware key.
   
5. Exit regedit, and return to the Windows Defender settings screen (refresh it if necessary). Windows Defender should have the scan options available and working.
   

Solution adapted from here, with a much more detailed solution here.