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
    2015-05-11T19:01:39+00:00

    ...(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/

    http://www.howtogeek.com/207692/yes-every-freeware-download-site-is-serving-crapware-heres-the-proof/

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-05-11T16:07:44+00:00

    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

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-05-11T11:15:25+00:00

    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

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-05-11T07:46:51+00:00

    it did not worked on me. do you have other way?

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-04-19T22:30:07+00:00

    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

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