Windows 10: Security Center/Microsoft Defender not working.can't be started

could anyone please help me here, I tried to install a game and I think it either had malware or a virus now security center is not coming online I can't even find it through services.msc I've tried 4 videos still it dosent work.

:)

 

windows defender & security center services keep turning off


Are you running any other AV or did you have one running in the past? If you didn't use an uninstaller for the AV, then the remnants of it could be causing the problem. Normally any time you install an AV it disables Defender by default.

If you are getting any error codes please list those, that will be helpful in helping you.

As torre suggested, might be a good idea to do a reset or even a reinstall.

Reset Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums

There are also some suggestions listed here:

Unable to turn on Windows Defender in Windows 7 / 8 / 10

 

Windows defender security center problem

When I try to start the windows defender security center the antimalware service executable starts up and uses up to 98% CPU. I have tried to change proxy restart defender and many suggested steps and also went to windows deffender online to do a scan
that way but no malware came up. The problem still persists. Does anyone know what to do in this situation? I just want my security to run properly but I cant even get to the menus.

 

Windows Defender Security Center removes working HP Photosmart driver

I was going to do so (perform a roll back), but after thinking about it...are we sure it's a necessary step here? I didn't have Windows Defender Security Center operating on this system (or if it was, it wasn't showing up in the tray and it wasn't giving
an error message) until this last Windows update.

Are we sure that this is a necessary step? If all it does is remove the Security Center from the tray or remove that feature, then I'm not sure anything has been discovered.

This is Norton Security 22.9.3.13, in case that helps and as you suggest, Windows Defender Security Center is still showing "Actions recommended" in the tray at the bottom right.