Windows 10: Windows Defender is disabled

Hello, I'm having a problem with my Windows Defender because after McAfee expired, Defender won't activate. It seems like it is disabled because the dashboard doesn't show any options i.e. Real Time Protection, etc. How can I fix this problem?

This is how Windows Defender looks like in my computer.



:)

 

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,

 

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

 

Windows Defender disables itself

Hi,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

I understand that you are facing the issue on Windows defender.

I will certainly help you with this.

I would like to inform you that if you have other antivirus on your computer, so Windows defender automatically

disable itself.

If you don’t have any other antivirus on computer then I would suggest you to check the services for Windows defender:

Steps:

• 
  Close all application and program and reboot the computer.
  
• 
  Press Windows key+R.
  
• 
  Type services.msc and press enter.
  
• 
  From the list, you will see two services for Windows defender.
  
• 
  Right click on both the services one at a time.
  
• 
  Click on properties.
  
• 
  Under general tab, select automatic from startup type.
  
• 
  Click on start and then click on apply and then ok.
  
• 
  Reboot the computer and check if it helps.
  

I hope this helps. Please post back with the status of the issue and we will be glad to assist you further.