Windows 10: Windows Defender Disabled cannot be started/greyed out

Hi, today i did two things:
Installed malwarebytes just to run a single scan, and also windows update installed two updates

-windows-10-update-kb4566782

-kb4569745-cumulative-update-for-net-framework


after this i uninstalled malwarebytes since i didnt wanted to interrupt the default windows antivirus from microsoft, and ofcourse had to restart pc for updates to take effect.

The updates were installed successfully, the first thing i noticed upon first logon, task manager was disabled , ok i thought to give another restart, now the task manager is ok , but windows defender seems to be a problem now, i looked through diferent answers and none of them resolves the issue in my case.
when i goto Services Windows Defender Firewall says Disabled and gives u zero options to modify its settings. like enable, start, restart, they all greyed out. i hae no idea what happened or what caused this, maybe that malwarebytes deleted some registry values of windefend.

here some screenshots:



now when i goto Settings, Update and Security, Windows Security, see the image below:




i am a windows user for many years and know many things already, but this one throw me out, Thanks for any help.

:)

 

Windows Defender disabled and is unable to start


OK. I am not sure if you can complete the steps below.......................
In the search box, type services.msc > Enter
Items in the Services box are listed alphabetically.
Scroll down to Windows Defender Service...........................
at Status heading, it should be.................................... Running
at Startup type, it should be......................................... Automatic







If that is not what yours said, right click at Windows Defender Service > click Properties >
can you change the Startup type to Automatic and Service status to Start ?
If yes, do so and click OK when done.

 

How to disable windows defender for long time?

Dear ramesh,

I too agree with Farah in that the options to start, stop Windows Defender are not clickable. There should be a way to stop the WD

 

How to disable windows defender for long time?

Hi Andrew,

If I understand you correctly you are willing to disable Windows Defender from your system. I would like to know few more things to understand the issue in a better way.

• Why are you trying to disable Windows Defender? Are you planning to install any third party security software?
• From where you have followed the steps to disable Windows defender using registry?
• Are you logged in as Administrator?

The steps which you have mentioned to disable Windows Defender using gpedit.msc is correct. If you are unable to disable it then you may do that by stopping the service responsible for Windows Defender. Here are steps which you may follow to perform the
same task.

• Press Windows key + R to open run box.
• Type services.msc and hit enter.
• There should be 2 services: Windows Defender Service
  and Windows Defender Network14.
• Right click on each and press stop.

If you will stop the service responsible for Windows Defender then it will not run till it is stopped. Do get back to us with all the information required and result of proposed suggestion. We will be happy to assist you further.

Regards,