Windows 10: Win 10 Defender doesnt start bc points to wrong subfolder - how fix?

On reboot of my Win 10 Pro 64-bit machine, the Windows Defender Antivirus Service doesn't start. If I go to services.msc to start it manually, I get an error box that "The system cannot find the file specified". See screenshot:





What I've discovered by right-clicking the service and looking at its Properties is that this service points to a subfolder that isn't there any more. It fails to point to a newer subfolder in the same folder.

It currently points to: "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\platform\4.18.2008.9-0\MsMpEng.exe" .





However, the subfolder 4.18.2008.9-0 no longer exists in the folder
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\platform\

Instead, that folder "platform" has two newer subfolders with the names
4.18.2009.7-0 and
4.18.2010.7-0
Both of those newer folders have the file MsMpEng.exe.

So, how can I get the Windows Defender Antivirus Service to point to one of those newer folders, ideally the (maybe) newest one with the title 4.18.2010.7-0?

Failing that, how can I create the missing folder 4.18.2008.9-0 and copy into it everything that is in the newer folder 4.18.2010.7-0? This is a heavily secure area, and the normal New Folder, Rename Folder and Copy and Paste operations are blocked even though I'm in the Administrators group on my machine.

And I also have exactly the same problem with Windows Defender Antivirus Network Inspection Service, which points to the file 4.18.2008.9-0\NisSrv.exe, except that 4.18.2008.9-0 no longer exists..

Thanks.

:)

 

win 10 defender issues

Hi,

Windows Defender helps in making your computer secure from any viruses or malware. Listed below are some reasons why the program will not work properly:

• Software conflicts (usually cause with other anti-virus application)
• Virus and malware infection
• Corrupted system files

To help you with the issue, we suggest following the steps provided by
PrashantKumar96 on this thread
that can help in running your Windows Defender successfully.

Let us know if you have other concerns.

 

window defender

• • • 
      You will want to print these instructions for offline reference -
      

IMPORTANT => DON'T SKIP ANY STEP perform all Steps in one uninterrupted session - If a Step says to reboot
reboot.

Problems starting Windows Defender in Windows 8/8.1/10

Pləase let us know what fixes the problem or if the pяoblem remains.

• • • 
      `~`
      

 

EMERGENCY - Boot Loop After Win Update

Hi zbook,

I already answered him that "Fix VSS Problems" doesnt fix the problem. What do you suggest?