Windows Defender in Windows 8.1 Will Not Turn On

HELP PLEASE!  I have  an HP laptop which came with Windows 8, I believe now running 8.1.  Windows Defender was running without issue till a few months ago. I didn't buy McAfee protection but a trial started running which is now over, butkeeps asking me to make a purchase which I have no intention of doing. Anyway, somehow Windows Defender has turned off, NOT BY ME! When I try to turn it on, I keep getting the same message saying that **"(Windows Defender) This app has been turned off and isn't monitoring your computer. If you're using another app to check for malicious or unwanted software, use Action Center to check that app's status."**I am not using another app. There is no simple option to turn WinDef back on!  I am very frustrated because I never turned WinDef off and now I can't turn it back on. I tried both of the restorative methods outlined by Rajesh Govind, Microsoft Support Engineer on 11/24/13, in a reply to another stranded customer, and neither worked.  And by the way, using Method 1, there is no "Properties" option in WinDef Services on my computer, but "general" seemed to be the correct choice.  Anyway, I clicked on "Start" (followed the steps through "e")and it said it was "starting", and then it stopped "starting" and gave me an error message simply stating that it couldn't START! I believe the code was 1058.   I could not get to set "automatic" in "startup type".  And I cannot even try that again because the "start" option is now "grey" and not allowing me to select, if you know what I mean, and I'm sure you do. Then I tried Method 2, and all I got was the same message I quoted above. Could not even open it. So I don't know what else to do and would really appreciate your help in resolving this issue because my computer is not protected, and the protection included in the purchase of this computer is not working. Please, please help!! I included the following so you will know what I did so far and where I got the advise.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

carlcyn

Michael,

It would be great if you can provide more information regarding this issue. Please answer these questions for a better understanding:

1)       Are you able to open Windows Defender program on the computer?

2)       If yes, what exactly happens when you turn it ON from its user interface? Do you get any error message?

I would suggest you to try the following methods and let’s know the results.

Method 1: Start the Windows Defender Service Manually

Please follow these steps:

 a)       Press “Windows Logo” + “R” keys on the keyboard to open the “Run” command box.

b)       Type “Services.msc” in the “Run” command box and press “Enter”.

c)       In the “Services” window, search for the “Windows Defender” service from that list.

d)       Double-click on it to open its “Properties” window.

e)       From its “Properties” window, click on “Start” when the service is stopped and also change its “Startup Type” to “Automatic”.

f)        Click on “Apply” and “Ok”.

g)       Restart the computer and check if that resolves the issue.

If the issue still persists, then try the next method.

Method 2: Run Windows Defender as Administrator

a)       From the Windows 8 Start Screen, type “Defender”. Windows Defender should appear in the list.

b)       Right click on the “Windows Defender” icon and select “Run as Administrator” from that menu.

c)       Check if that launches Windows Defender on the computer and check if you are able to turn it ON.

Please get back to us with the results.

I have got windows 8.1 Pro and the antivirus software as K7 Total Security Plus. All was working well but suddenly today, the action center pointed out that the computer is unprotected. I decided to check it and found that K7 as well as Windows Defender was turned off. Till this time, Windows Defender wasn't present on this pc and now suddenly it shows up saying it needs update. And then again, the K7 antivirus that I have is showing its protection status as "at risk", I tried to click fix now and to enable the software but the antivirus is not working.

So could you please direct me as to what could I do now? Should I possibly deactivate Windows Defender? Oh and yes, Windows Defender was not in my pc at all before and this is my second subscription of K7 antivirus.

So please direct me as to what to do now?

Please reply soon as I don't want my thirs pc to be thrown away because of virus again and I want to keep K7 on my pc.

I understand. Download Avast and it will more than cover the protection given by Defender.    AR

Either method does not work.