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
    2015-06-10T19:58:28+00:00

    The McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool [1] has been mentioned several times in this thread, Robynn.  Have you downloaded/run it yet?

    • Fact: McAfee (and Norton) applications are notorious for not uninstalling (or upgrading) cleanly. The "leftovers" may be your troublemaker here.

    ==============================================

    [1] Direct Download: http://us.mcafee.com/apps/supporttools/mcpr/mcpr.asp

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-06-11T20:56:11+00:00

    I am also getting Windows Defender Error Code: 0x80073afc . It happened after installing a bunch of windows updates today. I used windows restore and all was ok, but was then prompted to install the updates again, and yes the error has returned as a result. grrrr

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-06-11T22:14:09+00:00

    HiNickClark1959 ,

    There have been many recent posts about this error:

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/search/search?SearchTerm=0x80073afc+defender&IsSuggestedTerm=true&CurrentScope.ForumName=Protect&CurrentScope.Filter=protect\_defender-protect\_start&ContentTypeScope=#/Protect/protect\_defender-protect\_start//1

    Unfortunately no solution has yet been found but the issues were escalated to the product support team and Microsoft is investigating, see

    Pls re-escalate: Is MSFT aware of the recent dramatic raise of Windows Defender/Win 8 error problems?

    I've just now posted there a link to your post/profile and asked what to advise, see: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/feedback/forum/fdbk_commsite-feedback_other/pls-re-escalate-is-msft-aware-of-the-recent/80b8a396-2334-4e9f-8397-4ce93aa9f24d?page=2

    Cheers,

    J

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-06-11T23:35:06+00:00

    Is Windows 8.1 installed?

    Has Norton application or a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer since you bought it?

    Did a Norton free-trial or a McAfee free-trial [PICK ONE] come preinstalled on the computer when you bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)

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