Windows 10: Turning on Defender

Discus and support Turning on Defender in AntiVirus, Firewalls and System Security to solve the problem; Today my Microsoft 365 Personal automatically renews. I understand this includes Defender. Do I need to still pay for McAfee? Will Defender... Discussion in 'AntiVirus, Firewalls and System Security' started by Liz Waine, Mar 14, 2025.

  1. Liz Waine Win User

    Turning on Defender


    Today my Microsoft 365 Personal automatically renews. I understand this includes Defender. Do I need to still pay for McAfee? Will Defender automatically turn on on my lap top or do I need to do something?

    :)
     
    Liz Waine, Mar 14, 2025
    #1

  2. 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.
     
    Eileen Gal, Mar 14, 2025
    #2
  3. windows defender turned off.....................

    @atramsuraj: You can
    read this post
    and follow the given steps to re-enable your Windows Defender. And, by the way:

    • What OS are you running?
    • Are you also using 3rd-party security program? If so, please consider disabling it, as some could turn off Windows Defender automatically.
     
    nofoistapp, Mar 14, 2025
    #3
  4. Mala_S Win User

    Turning on Defender

    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
     
    Mala_S, Mar 14, 2025
    #4
Thema:

Turning on Defender

Loading...
  1. Turning on Defender - Similar Threads - Turning Defender

  2. how do i turn on my windows defender after it was disabled

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    how do i turn on my windows defender after it was disabled: I had disabled it using trying to use KMS auto++ to activate my Microsoft account. Now can't seem to turn it back on, I've tried almost everything guys. Right now I'm frustrated...
  3. how do i turn on my windows defender after it was disabled

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    how do i turn on my windows defender after it was disabled: I had disabled it using trying to use KMS auto++ to activate my Microsoft account. Now can't seem to turn it back on, I've tried almost everything guys. Right now I'm frustrated...
  4. Unable to turn Windows defender virus Protection on.

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    Unable to turn Windows defender virus Protection on.: So Ive uninstalled the old anti virus, restarted the pc and encountered an error of unable to "Unexpected Error. Sorry, we ran into a problem. Please try again".So Ive restart the PC done the below:sfc / scannow - completed sucessfullydism /online /cleanup-image...
  5. Unable to turn Windows defender virus Protection on.

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    Unable to turn Windows defender virus Protection on.: So Ive uninstalled the old anti virus, restarted the pc and encountered an error of unable to "Unexpected Error. Sorry, we ran into a problem. Please try again".So Ive restart the PC done the below:sfc / scannow - completed sucessfullydism /online /cleanup-image...
  6. Unable to turn Windows defender virus Protection on.

    in AntiVirus, Firewalls and System Security
    Unable to turn Windows defender virus Protection on.: So Ive uninstalled the old anti virus, restarted the pc and encountered an error of unable to "Unexpected Error. Sorry, we ran into a problem. Please try again".So Ive restart the PC done the below:sfc / scannow - completed sucessfullydism /online /cleanup-image...
  7. Y can't I turn on windows defender on my pc

    in Windows 10 Software and Apps
    Y can't I turn on windows defender on my pc: Y can't I turn on windows defender on my pc https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/y-cant-i-turn-on-windows-defender-on-my-pc/133e735b-30fb-490f-9ebd-2bfd3c409242
  8. Y can't I turn on windows defender on my pc

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    Y can't I turn on windows defender on my pc: Y can't I turn on windows defender on my pc https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/y-cant-i-turn-on-windows-defender-on-my-pc/133e735b-30fb-490f-9ebd-2bfd3c409242
  9. Y can't I turn on windows defender on my pc

    in AntiVirus, Firewalls and System Security
    Y can't I turn on windows defender on my pc: Y can't I turn on windows defender on my pc https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/y-cant-i-turn-on-windows-defender-on-my-pc/133e735b-30fb-490f-9ebd-2bfd3c409242
  10. Windows Defender Automatic turn off Periodic Scan option

    in Windows 10 Gaming
    Windows Defender Automatic turn off Periodic Scan option: I have installed Third Party Check Point Antivirus and when I turn on the Windows Defender Antivirus Period Mode. after some time it is automatically Turning off. kindly suggest how to resolve the issue....