error 577 when i attempt to turn on windows defender win8.1

Anonymous
2013-10-20T17:43:44+00:00
  • very frustrated with my $1,000 new touch screen computer due to windows 8. i download win8.1 from play store looking for a easier os so could enjoy my new computer. but i have a problem windows defender will not turn on!!!!   i tried all community posted things and replies from microsoft. when i press start it gives this error message:[ERROR 577 windows can not digital verify signture for this file ]etc.... come on guys i never had problems win 98xp i loved useing my computer everyday. it was simple to understand and find the fix for the regular guy. now i HATE Using my NEW  COMPUTER DUE TO WIN8 and WINDOWS 8.1 i thought would make things better. i wish i could put win98 or win7 on this computer so i can enjoy my purchase.  anyone know how to get Win8.1 win defender to work??? or want to buy a $1,000 hp i7 with 2 tb 8 gb paper weight?

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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.

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Anonymous
2013-12-16T13:09:01+00:00

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/protect_defender-protect_start/windows-defender-not-working-after-upgrade-to/51ff2e69-b7e7-46da-84c9-392bf040ef1e

In the above thread we have seen that OP had same problem as yours and he tried some editing of registry that we normally do not recommend but it worked for him. You may want to give it a try. All you have to do is to:

  1. Press Win key + R. This will open Run.
  2. Type "regedit" and hit enter.
  3. Navigate to these keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender 4. Change value of 'DisableAntiSpyware' and 'DisableAntiVirus' from '0' to '1'. 5. After changing the values go to 'C:\Program Files\Windows Defender' and open 'MSASCui.exe' file.

Hope this will fix the problem.

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Anonymous
2013-10-20T18:55:38+00:00

This error seems to be of Windows rather than of Windows Defender. Please post a question in Windows 8.1 forum, they can help better.

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Anonymous
2013-12-30T14:44:15+00:00

I have seen some more cases like this and I think the problem is specific with Windows Defender only. I want you to try this:

Turn off Windows Defender by going to Settings --> Administrator and unchecking "Turn on this app" and clicking "Save Changes". After turning off Windows Defender, open Registry Editor (in Start menu search for regedit.exe and open it). After opening Registry Editor, navigate to this registry key:

KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services and change values of 'Start' and 'Type' entries according to the following:

WdBoot -->

Start: 0

Type: 1

WdFilter -->

Start: 0

Type: 2

WdNisDrv -->

Start: 2

Type: 1

WdNisSvc -->

Start: 2

Type: 16

WinDefend -->

Start: 2

Type: 16

Example:

Note: Incorrect editing of registry can cause serious damage to system. And you are doing edits in very sensitive area of registry. So be very careful. If you didn't understand anything then stop and ask it. I will explain in simpler words.

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-05-07T06:30:48+00:00

    What I should have said is that Defender won't run if there is another antivirus program running.  You should also not run two or more real-time antivirus programs simultaneously.  Sooner or later there will be conflicts. 

    If you are in need of a multitude of different programs and they routinely catch "bad stuffies" it means that you are in the habit of going places where bad stuffies are common.  The best solution is to avoid those places. There is always a lag between new variants of viruses and trojans being released into the wild and the provision of definitions to catch them.  This means that it doesn't matter how many programs you have at your disposal if you encounter bad stuffy that none of them recognize.  It's not a good idea to lead people to believe that loading up on antivirus software is an antidote for careless web browsing.

    So, are you telling me not to browse the Internet? Where's the fun in that?! lol.

    Yup, I go to bad places (like most people do). But, I do it voluntarily and on purpose (unlike most people). And I've had the same 4 bad stuffy detection programs running on my Win 8.1 for almost 2 years now with zero problems so I say you're wrong there (so far! ofc, an update could come out that blows the whole thing straight to hell but, I'll cross that bridge if I have to, when I have to)

    Bad stuffy detection programs are reactive, not pro-active. And now that polymorphic virii are hitting the bad stuffies distribution networks (they change their signature every few hours), the threat landscape is about to take a giant step up in severity. :-(

    I don't mean to alarm anyone but, they should be alarmed. I am.

    I know you mean well Jim but, what you're suggesting will leave people vulnerable. Good call on the Malwarebytes though. One of the best free programs available for catching all kinds of bad stuffies that Defender misses!

    It comes down to what people want to deal with:

    1. some conflicts that need to be resolved at the outset but, fairly comprehensive security coverage or,
    2. no conflicts but, possibly more vulnerable.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-05-07T06:10:24+00:00

    Thank you I shall do this and report back with results

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