Windows Defender Error Code: 0x80073afc

Anonymous
2015-03-23T22:21:12+00:00

Hi, I receive this error code when i try to open Windows Defender and it says: An error as occurred, in the program during initialization. If this problem continues, please contact your system administrator. Error code 0x80073afc. And in the Action Center it says that Windows Defender is turned off.

Please help!

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Security and privacy

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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  1. Anonymous
    2015-03-24T22:12:18+00:00

    Hi,

    I have received the same error code today, and the same message from the action centre.  I have worked through all the actions described above but still cannot start windows defender. 

    Also I cannot find Windows Defender icon within control panel?

    Any further help appreciated!

    Mike

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-03-24T13:14:50+00:00

    Try methods given here serially and reply with their results:

    Problems starting Windows Defender in Windows 8/8.1

    Prashant Kumar

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-06-29T19:31:34+00:00

    I had alreaday previously completed what you suggested at an earlier date way back in April...       

    You didn't join these forums until 26 June 2015 so whatever steps I posted "way back in April" weren't for your computer!

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-06-29T16:46:50+00:00

    Hello and thank you for your response in trying to help me, yes I had alreaday previously completed what you suggested at an earlier date way back in April, for some reason around the25-26 of June is when I noticed that defender wasn't running properly so tried cut onthen eerror,   then I noticed it had an update thru Microsoft, so after attempting  command prompts, trying 2 diff restores nearly 3 weeks apart , and everything else I could find I installed Bitdefender and it has put 14 items / threats in quarantine and then I deleted them, so Just wanted to say thanks again

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-06-29T13:02:55+00:00

    How do you turn window defender on any help with this will be most helpful thank you.

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