Windows Defender in Windows 8.1 Will Not Turn On

Anonymous
2013-11-24T01:31:23+00:00

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?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Security and privacy

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-02-26T17:11:22+00:00

    I am running windows 8.1 and the defender is turned off, I have gone to Action center and I do not find any way to turn Defender on??

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-27T11:18:46+00:00

    I am running windows 8.1 and the defender is turned off, I have gone to Action center and I do not find any way to turn Defender on??

    http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/21967-windows-defender-protection-turn-off-windows-8-a.html

    Windows Defender on Windows 8 - Introduction and Frequently Asked Questions

    -steve

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-02-27T15:25:26+00:00

    Hello,

    I am running win 8.1

    I see that Windows Defender is running but I do not see in the system tray at the right most corner bottom of my screen.

    Does anyone know how I can include the win defender icon in the system tray?

    Thanks,

    Peter

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-02-28T11:02:48+00:00

    From the Wiki I linked in my post just before yours:

    18. Where are the WD desktop and tray icons?

    Windows Defender can be found on the Start screen, All Apps.  If you really want a Desktop icon, do the following:

    Use the charms, and search for Defender.  Alternatively, go to the Start Screen, right-click, and select All Apps. Under the Windows System group, you will find Windows Defender.

    Once you have found Windows Defender, right-click on it and select Open File Location.  There you will find a shortcut to Windows Defender.  Copy the shortcut, and paste it on your Desktop.

    There is no tray icon with WD on W8.  The Action Center icon reports WD issues.

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-02-28T13:21:59+00:00

    I recently bought a new HP computer, I then up graded to windows 8.1  soon I found a message that my internet security was in danger, I found that Windows defender was turned off and I could not turn it on. After a period of time I went to HP and they were able to turn it on , after removing Advanced System pro from my computer.  I now have all programs working, its seems that they are not compatible at least on my HP computer

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