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
    2015-01-31T19:27:59+00:00

    What happens when there is no listing for windows defender?

    David, uninstall ALL other AV products. Clean your Registry of old keys, then Restart.

    Go to Windows update, Try to check for updates. (this is just an idea to try. Please post a response with the results)

    People, the Windows 8 (& 8.1) Defender does not work (& play well) with other similar programs installed. If you wish to enable Windows Defender, uninstall ALL other AV programs, clean up your registry of old keys (using a program like CCleaner), Restart your system. Clean with CCleaner again, restart again. Problem solved. Defender should turn itself back on. If not, do it manually. Then, restart again.

    I would not recommend relying solely on Defender to protect your system. If you want more protection, add other AV programs one at a time until one of them 'breaks' your Defender. Then, back off. Hopefully, you didn't try SpyBot 1st. lol. It doesn't work with Defender for sure.

    I gave up on using Defender on Win 8.1. I use McAfee Internet Security Suite, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Spy-Bot, and Trend Micro's HouseCall. Those 4 programs give me enough overlap (what 1 may miss, one of the others will catch) to give my system adequate security (something I feel I don't receive from Defender since it has often missed viruses that the others have caught) & the 4 also provide me with some piece of mind.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-01-30T23:47:02+00:00

    What happens when there is no listing for windows defender?

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