Windows 10: Windows Defender is working, but can't be opened.

Greetings,


In the 'Windows Security' tab, all of the services (I.e. 'Virus & Threat Protection', 'Device performance & health', etcI click on will produce the following result:


- No reaction, no new window opens or changes.

- The cursor looks like its loading something.

- On task manager, the app 'Antimalware Service Executable' CPU usage goes up to 20%ish.


1. In the event that my antivirus 'MalwareBytes' is turned on, it'll be the app that consumes high CPU usage.

2. If I turn it off, it'll the aforementioned executable that does it, and I have to restart my computer.

3. Every attempt at opening any of the Defender related services will increase the CPU usage, after 4 times the CPU usage surged to 70%, and still no window opens.


Further details:

1. I know the Defender is active and working, it detects viruses and threats just fine:

- I experimented with downloading a file I know the defender will detect as a virus from my other laptop, and a grey window in the bottom right pops up, informing me that a threat was detected. (If I try to click on this pop-up, the same thing happens.

2. This is a new PC, and Windows 10 Home was just installed on it.

3. This issue began immediately after I first started Windows, and persisted after I installed MalwareBytes.

4. I used the SFC tool, it found corrupt files and replaced them all successfully.

5. I restarted the machine, clean boot, safe mode, multiple times - nothing helps.

6. In 'Services', right clicking the entry 'Security center' shows only grey options: I can't restart or stop it.


As things stand, I can't access any of Defender's services, and if I do, my only option is to restart the PC.


Note: Everything else in the PC is working just fine, save for the mouse cursor 'jumping' every now and then (but this is a more pressing issue).


I'll appreciate any advise, thanks in advance.

:)

 

Windows Defender Not Working in Windows 10

Hi,

Thank you for using Windows 10.

Sorry for the delayed reply. I suggest you to Set Windows Defender to Automatic - You can set the Windows Defender service to Automatic, Disabled or Manual. Setting it to automatic might solve the problem. Follow these
steps:

• Click Start > type services in the Search box > click Services in the Programs list.
• Search for Windows defender.
• Double-click Windows Defender, and click Automatic in the start-up box > click OK.

Also, follow the below mentioned steps and check:

• Open the Task manager. Here’s a tip: Press CTRL+Shift+ESC.
• Click File > Run New Task
• Make sure you have a check mark beside “Create this task with administrative privileges”
  
• Type CMD
• Type the following 2 commands at the CMD prompt:
  
  dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
  
  sfc /scannow
  
  
• Close the CMD window

Keep us posted on the status of the issue and we’ll be glad to help.

 

Windows Defender Not Working in Windows 10

Hello,

Thank you for keeping us posted on the status of the issue.

We appreciate your patience on this issue. I would like to assist you further on this issue.

Error 577 Windows Defender error codes are caused in one way or another by misconfigured system files in your windows operating system, which may be caused by windows system files damage.

Please be informed that In order for Windows Defender to run, it will require that the
Windows Defender Service remain "Started" (running) and set to "Automatic". Also, certain 3rd party antivirus programs are mainly responsible as it turns off the Windows Defender when they are installed.

Please follow the below methods.

Method 1

This issue may happen due to system file corruption. I suggest you to run System file checker. System File checker (SFC) scan is done to check if there are any corrupted system files that could be causing this issue. Kindly follow
the below given steps:

• 
  Press Windows key + X, select
  Command prompt (Admin) to bring up elevated Command prompt.
  
• 
  In Command prompt type
  sfc/scannow and press enter.
  
• 
  Restart the computer.
  
  If no corrupted system files were found in the previous state, then I suggest you to try the following steps:
  

• 
  Open command prompt by pressing Windows key + X and selecting “Command prompt admin”.
  
• 
  In command prompt, type the following commands and press Enter after each command:
  
  DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
  
  DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  

• 
  Close the command prompt and restart the PC and check if it works.
  

Method 2

Please follow the below steps to set the right registry entry and check if it helps.

• Press Win key + R. This will open Run.
• Type "regedit" and hit enter.
• Navigate to these keys:
  
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
  
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender
• Change value of 'DisableAntiSpyware' and 'DisableAntiVirus' from '0' to '1'.
• After changing the values go to 'C:\Program Files\Windows Defender' and open 'MSASCui.exe' file.

Hope the above information was helpful. If you need further information, feel free to write to us and we would be happy to help you.

Thank You.

 

Installing Apps on Windows 10 Has Windows Defender Finding Malware

Hi Tommy,

Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

• 
  Is this issue specific to third party apps?
  

I would suggest you to open Windows defender and add exclusions and check if it helps. Follow the steps to add exclusions in windows Defender.

• 
  Type Windows defender settings in the search bar and press enter
  
• 
  Under Exclusions click on Add Exclusion
  

Hope this information helps. Reply to the post with an updated status of the issue so that we can assist you further.