Windows 10: Windows Defender turns itself on even with other AV application on

Just some background information, I was tired of Windows Defender taking up 100% disk usage at startup with Antimalware Service Executable so I installed BitDefender in its place so I could get myself set up when I start up my computer without having to wait half an hour to an hour for anything (Even Task Manager or Ctrl+Alt+Delete Security Screen) to be running.
Today I just turned on my computer and noticed that it froze after logging in. After about an hour of waiting, I shut it down using the power button and turning it back on, which is usually my last-resort method. I logged into my computer again and opened the Task Manager up to find that Antimalware Service Executable was taking up 100% disk usage again, which then enabled Windows to inform me that both of my AntiVirus programs had been turned off for whatever reason. I clicked on the notification and noticed Windows Defender had turned itself back on when I never disabled Bitdefender to begin with.
Right now I'm running a Malwarebytes scan and will run a system scan with Bitdefender as well, but I'm pretty sure that's not what caused the problem with my computer because I hadn't downloaded anything since my last scan which was around a week ago.

My computer is running Windows 10 Home Edition x64 on an Intel i7-4500U Dual-Core clocked at 1.8+2.4GHz with 8GB DDR3 RAM and an Intel HD Graphics (4400) GPU.

If you need any more information to help find out what the problem is, I will be able to reply quickly! Thanks!

:)

 

Get a notification that real time protection is turned off.

bahkooonaaaawwaa -

When you say you have your 3rd party disabled - does Security Center say it's disabled too? Windows Defender will only try and turn itself on when all other AV's have been disabled or uninstalled (Security Center needs to state that no other Virus
Protection Applications are installed or enabled).

If your 3rd party is disabled, and you feel like you want to switch to Windows Defender as your primary Malware protection I recommend uninstalling the application completely.

You can try executing the following command (from an elevated command prompt) to try and enable defender if all other AV's are disabled/uninstalled : "%programfiles%\windows defender\mpcmdrun.exe" -wdenable

 

Windows defender activating erroneously telling my AV is turned off, but it's not.

Windows Defender has just suddenly begun activating itself, because it says my AV is turned off. I use Avira for my AV and Malwarebytes for malware detection. My AV is NOT turned off. I have never turned Defender on, because it is a very inferior program
per the experts.

How can I stop WD from activating itself?

 

Hi, quite understand as I had to battle with W. Defender when I first upgraded. However, I have Bitdefender (IS 2016) installed, and Bitdefender isn't running. (Nor should it be as you know).

Puzzling behaviour. I'll just deal with turning off W. Defender so you can get to a usable state.
With that disabled, you can see whether Bitdefender then runs ok.

You may know that turning W Defender off using Win 10's GUI means it just comes back to haunt you.
See options 3, 4 here to disable it (although that shouldn't be necessary).
Windows Defender Real-time Protection - Turn On or Off in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

 

Well I can't do Option 3 because I'm using Windows 10 Home Edition (as stated in my previous post) and W10 Home doesn't come with a Group Policy Editor. I also can't do Option 4 because that registry doesn't exist on my machine:




Apparently I can't open Windows Defender now because it claims it's off and Bitdefender is on, so I guess my problem was "solved", but I'm not sure what even caused the issue to begin with o.o

 

Hi, option 4 (reg edit) is provided to cover the case where you don't have access to the GP Editor.

You may find this of interest: I've not tried it personally, as I have Pro.
https://www.itechtics.com/enable-gpe...ndows-10-home/
- claims to enable the Group Policy Editor in Win 10 Home.

Also this may add a little more to meet your needs, should the problem arise again.
How to Disable Windows Defender in Windows 10 Permanently WTI NewsBlog

 

I'm not sure you read my post fully. I even linked an image showing that regedit didn't have the key at all either way.

 

Not sure what more you expect.. sorry, no magical solution. Note the article I cited refers to sthg like 'if the key doesn't exist you can add...'

 

Pardon me for butting in.

Re : Option Four
1. You don't have the key Real-Time Protection, but I believe you can create one. I have done that in other situations.

2. Why not use the Download button ?
Disable_Windows_Defender_Real-Time_Protection.reg





and following the rest of the steps from 4 to 8.

 

Okay, I'll try that right away. Thanks!