Windows 10: Windows defender is gone/disabled, cant enable back

Hello, recently i did a scan on my PC, and windows defender detected a virus, i deleted it, later after some time, my PC crashed so i had to restart itAfter that, i noticed that my windows defender wasnt open like it should, so i went to settings and then windows security, only to be greated by this: Windows defender is blank, so then i tried to enable it on "services" it appears as disabled and it wont let me enable it backThen i searched for this problem on the internet, and it tried everything possible with the registry and the command prompt and everything, still nothingi even updated

:)

 

Windows defender couldnt be enable after being disabled

Hello Imtiaz,

Thank you for posting the query on Microsoft Community.

I appreciate your interest on Windows 10.

Before we proceed I would like you to answer the following questions:

• 
  Have you installed any third-party security software on your computer?
  
• 
  Are you using administrator account?
  
• 
  Is the computer connected to domain?
  
• 
  Did you try restarting the computer and check?
  

I suggest you to follow the methods below:

Method 1

update the group policy and check.

• 
  Press Windows key + R.
  
• 
  Type Gpupdate and press enter.
  
• 
  Then try enabling the Windows defender in group policy and check.
  

This issue usually arises when you have installed a security software on your computer. From Windows 8 onwards, the Windows Defender is equipped with all the functionalities of an anti-virus software including real-time protection which was not
present in Windows Defender in Windows 7.

Method 2

If you have any third-party security software installed, I would suggest you to uninstall thatsoftware and then upgrade to Windows 10. As it is not recommended to keep more than 1 anti-virus software with real-time protection.

Important Note: Antivirus software can help protect your computer against viruses and other security threats. In most cases, you shouldn't disable/uninstall your antivirus software. If you have to temporarily disable/uninstall
it to install other software, you should re-enable it as soon as you're done. If you're connected to the Internet or a network while your antivirus software is disabled, your computer is vulnerable to attacks.

Whenever you install a third-party security software in Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, it automatically disables Windows Defender to avoid conflicts.

Method 3

I suggest you to follow the steps below to turn on the windows defender.

• 
  Type control panel in the search box.
  
• 
  Choose the Action Center under
  System and Security option.
  
• 
  You see the notification that Windows defender is turned off below the
  Security label. Hit the Turn on now tab to active the Windows Defender again.
  

Please get back to us with updated status. We will be happy to assist you further.

 

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