Windows defender Error code: 0x80073b01

stunnedjack,

If your issue  still not resolved consider trying Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit (free) It has been updated (May 28th) to address the ZeroAccess infection which cripples Windows Defender.

Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit BETA 1.06

MBAR Download

How to use Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit

Edit: HitmanPro has released (May 31st) another beta (3.7.6 Build 201 BETA) which includes additional repairs for the ZeroAccess effects on MSE and Windows Defender.

Update 5:36 pm PST

I am waiting for thew email containing the "advanced methods"  The supervisor from the defender department had said it would take a few hours before I would get this.

I know many users (including myself) around here, who would love to know what 'advanced method' that 'supervisor' might suggest :)

In the meantime I ran Hitman Pro and it found only basic, typical  adware and some false positives with some "suspicious"  Sony Vegas file.    No change to the 0x80073b301 error.

 

I can try the Kickstart method and see if that does anything

So you didn't check the info provided in my previous post?

See this thread where the OP confirmed that HMPK did ALL the repairs (broken MSE by Sirefef on a Win7 computer) for him.

This doesn't mean it will absolutely work (though it should) for you, as WD is built-in to your Win8 OS and there might probably be other internal components affected, but who knows.

PD.- @Footos29: Would suggest you try again :)

In other words, did I pop for $25 bucks yet?  :)  no not yet.  I did attemppt to put hitman on a sd card and at 100 percent tells me "error 5 Locked."  I was wondering if this was because I am using the free trial.

In the meantime still no email from MS defender dept. with the "'advanced methods." I'll wait till tomorrow and see if they come through. before I call Bill Gates and ask him to take care of these guys. :)

In truth MS should fix this with an Emergency auto update of "Windows 9 for Power Users,"  and let the Modern UI be consigned separately, to those who need such a garrish and toy=like-cloud infested  thing. Srsly.

Update 5:36 pm PST

I am waiting for thew email containing the "advanced methods"  The supervisor from the defender department had said it would take a few hours before I would get this.

I know many users (including myself) around here, who would love to know what 'advanced method' that 'supervisor' might suggest :)

In the meantime I ran Hitman Pro and it found only basic, typical  adware and some false positives with some "suspicious"  Sony Vegas file.    No change to the 0x80073b301 error.

 

I can try the Kickstart method and see if that does anything

So you didn't check the info provided in my previous post?

See this thread where the OP confirmed that HMPK did ALL the repairs (broken MSE by Sirefef on a Win7 computer) for him.

This doesn't mean it will absolutely work (though it should) for you, as WD is built-in to your Win8 OS and there might probably be other internal components affected, but who knows.

PD.- @Footos29: Would suggest you try again :)

Close...But still no cigar!

 

The program detected & repaired this:

 

 

Repairs _____________________________________________________________________

   Redirection: SymSrv.yes -> c:\windows\system32\config

   Disables Windows Defender (C:\Program Files\Windows Defender)

 

Rebooted but still the same old 0x80073b01 error message. The 'Additional remediation steps'  unfortunately only apply to Win 7 :(

Hi again,

I've been  waiting for MS to contact me a third time.  Finally today I called them again, trying to find the same supervisor and am on hold with them now.

The first fellow today said there is NO Windows 8 Pro media center disk.-- So i am getting contradictory statements, so i have to be careful as to who is giving me the right info.   This fellow today, confirmed  I WOULD be able to keep  my desktop programs and repair defender, but i would have to uninstall Media Center edition and revert to regular win 8 pro in order to do it with the regular Win 8 pro disk I have.   I have my concerns since i am being told contradictory info. 

All I can say is ther biggest mistake made by MS  and USA tech business was outsourcing because the one hand doesn't know what the other hand is doing. The person I spoke with so far cannot transfer me to the supervisor I spoke with because he has no way of knowing what site he is at.  So I am on hold waiting for another supervisor.

Please MS, you've always come through...but some of us old time MS users  are starting to worry.   The anti-win 8 propaganda is thick and heavy.  

I will report back what happens.  This is my only free time to deal with this,

Have you tried calling MS and asking them about the "inplace upgrade" using your disk as they told me previously that is supposed to keep desktop programs--not just apps.

I am now talking to anothger supervisor and I will see what happens.  I will also try the Reparse Point removal steps if they don't help me.

he is contactng the store now to see if a wiindows media edition is available.  If not , then I am not opposed to remiving the media center if it is true I can revert back to win 8 pro anbnd then repair defender without losing my desktop programs.

Update:  3:53 PST

Okay so this supervisor i am on phont with right now contacted  the store and there is NO "media center edition disk"  I also asked him again about the "inplace upgrade" and he says yes there is a way to keep the programs  "but it still will create a Windows.old folder and I can't be sure all your progs will run properly." But he is now checking further and also contacting the defender/security  department....again. 

  So i am on hold again.

Not yet giving up. 

Its unbelieveable to me that MS woould reallly make it this hard to repair one feature and keep desktop programs. 

Update:

Bottom line is the defender department blames it on. the virus and the more advanced methods to fix this he is sending me in email, otheriwse Id have to go to paid support.  i told them this is a defect of defender and win 8 and it should be fixable at no charge. 

So I will see what "advanced methods" he will be sendiing me and see whatt happens and will report back here.

There is plenty of reason to worry about windows 8 viability if a single feature can be broken and unrepairable without wiping out the whole system or being forced to pay for advanced support. (tech blackmail?==thats how it feels)

Can the powers that be please pay attention? 

Updaate 5:36 pm PST

I amm waitinng for thew email containing the "advanced methods"  The supervisor from the defender department had said it wouulld take a few hours before I woulld get this.

In the meantime I ran Hitman Pro and it found only basic, typical  adware and some false positives with some "suspicious"  Sony Vegas file.    No change to the 0x80073b301 error.

I can try the Kickstart method and see if that does anything.

.