This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(128, 8%, 22%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EA%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
I recently updated Windows 8 to Windows 8.1. Windows Defender had been on in Windows 8 and even after the update to 8.1. I turned it off momentarily but have been unable to turn it back on. To my knowledge, I have no other anti-virus programs running. How can I turn it back on?
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Doggess wrote:
Same problema here...
To avoid confusion & duplication of effort, please post any/all further follow-up in replies to your original thread => http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-performance/windows-defender-81-was-somehow-uninstalled/55ed8483-833d-4d3b-88ed-0e02b0ac6537?page=4#LastReply
it did not worked on me. do you have other way?
it did not worked on me. do you have other way?
Please review:
Problems starting Windows Defender in Windows 8/8.1
If none of that works, please start your own new question with details about your system.
-steve
Hello,
My understanding is that if you have ANY antivirus program in Win 8 or 8.1, Defender will automatically shut off because it anticipates conflicts.
I have never used it anyway as I have AVG Antivirus, the FREE one (download from ZD/net downloads) AVG has always worked great for me, alerting me with a flashing icon whenever something threatens and easily removes the threat. I have it active all the time and it updates daily.
I also have Spybot Search and Destroy and have used it successfully many times to get rid of some things. But it is not active unless I turn it on manually.
I would try downloading and installing AVG and see how you like it. I have used it for many years with XP, Vista and now 8 and 8.1.
M
...(download from ZD/net downloads) ...
Just a word of caution:
Always download software directly from the maker's/vendor's site...
CNET as well as other so-called download sites are known to bundle their downloads with ad- and crapware....
http://www.howtogeek.com/198622/heres-what-happens-when-you-install-the-top-10-download.com-apps/
