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? <Moved from Windows>

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: Press Win key + R. This will open Run. Type "regedit" and hit enter. 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.

You can't run two antivirus applications simultaneously. Choose between Defender and AVG. Partially correct, Jim. You can't run Win Defender & AVG together. In fact, Windows Defender doesn't stay turned on with most any other AV packages installed on the same system (by design or by accident, I'm not sure which yet). I gave up long ago trying to get Defender to stay turned on. In truth, it's just not worth it since it misses many unwanted stuffies in my system that my other combined bad stuffies detection suite (comprised of 4 overlapping bad stuffies detection programs) do detect! As Jim suggested, choose one (I highly recommend it not be Defender!) I recommend Malwarebytes & BitDefender . Both are Free for non-Premium versions. Also, as additional support, Trend Micro's HouseCall & Spybot Search & Destroy . Also, find yourself a reliable Firewall. The one supplied with Windows ain't good enough. Trusting your system's security to only one program is like putting all your eggs in one basket, drop that basket and you're hooped. No one security program can catch 100% of the bad stuffies. But, if 1 catches 70%, and another 60% (50% of the same ones the 1st one did but, an extra 10% that the 1st missed)... well, you're now covered for 80% in total. :-) My objective has always been maximum coverage against bad stuffies and zero compatibility problems. Unfortunately, Defender has thwarted my attempts for zero compatibility problems. After much testing of it's detection abilities, I have abandoned it completely as a viable component of my suite. Make restore points before adding each program and test them all thoroughly after installing each one. If you find some compatibility problems, back off, leave the problem program out of the mix and carry on. Please, report your detailed results here. We'll build you your own custom Security suite combination solution designed to give you maximum protection for your system.

Thanks for your help Another problem why I tried to get defender on is that I suspect there is Malware on my PC and someone told me Defender will find and destroy it It is devouring all my Internet data at a terrifying rate and its costing me an arm and a leg!! can you suggest a quick and easy way for me to find and destroy this malware?

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

Anonymous

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?

<Moved from Windows>

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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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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:

Press Win key + R. This will open Run.
Type "regedit" and hit enter.
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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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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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Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

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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159 additional answers

Anonymous

2015-05-06T17:06:30+00:00

You can't run two antivirus applications simultaneously. Choose between Defender and AVG.

Partially correct, Jim. You can't run Win Defender & AVG together. In fact, Windows Defender doesn't stay turned on with most any other AV packages installed on the same system (by design or by accident, I'm not sure which yet).

I gave up long ago trying to get Defender to stay turned on. In truth, it's just not worth it since it misses many unwanted stuffies in my system that my other combined bad stuffies detection suite (comprised of 4 overlapping bad stuffies detection programs) do detect!

As Jim suggested, choose one (I highly recommend it not be Defender!) I recommend Malwarebytes & BitDefender. Both are Free for non-Premium versions. Also, as additional support, Trend Micro's HouseCall & Spybot Search & Destroy. Also, find yourself a reliable Firewall. The one supplied with Windows ain't good enough.

Trusting your system's security to only one program is like putting all your eggs in one basket, drop that basket and you're hooped. No one security program can catch 100% of the bad stuffies. But, if 1 catches 70%, and another 60% (50% of the same ones the 1st one did but, an extra 10% that the 1st missed)... well, you're now covered for 80% in total. :-)

My objective has always been maximum coverage against bad stuffies and zero compatibility problems. Unfortunately, Defender has thwarted my attempts for zero compatibility problems. After much testing of it's detection abilities, I have abandoned it completely as a viable component of my suite.

Make restore points before adding each program and test them all thoroughly after installing each one. If you find some compatibility problems, back off, leave the problem program out of the mix and carry on.

Please, report your detailed results here. We'll build you your own custom Security suite combination solution designed to give you maximum protection for your system.
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Anonymous

2015-05-06T17:54:12+00:00

Thanks for your help Another problem why I tried to get defender on is that I suspect there is Malware on my PC and someone told me Defender will find and destroy it It is devouring all my Internet data at a terrifying rate and its costing me an arm and a leg!! can you suggest a quick and easy way for me to find and destroy this malware?
Was this answer helpful?

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