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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  3. Anonymous
    2015-06-22T10:07:46+00:00

    We’re looking into this error code.

    To help us address this issue, you can submit your diagnostic logs through our malware submission portal

    In Windows 7 or Windows Vista, if you are using Microsoft Security Essentials

    1. Open an elevated command prompt:

    a. Click the Start button.

    b. Click on All Programs, then click on Accessories.

    c. Right-click on Command Prompt.

    d. Click Run as administrator.

    e. Click Yes when asked if you want to run this program. 2. Type cd "\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client" and press Enter. 3. Type MpCmdRun.exe -GetFiles and press Enter. 4. Submit the MpSupportFiles.cab file through our malware submission portal:

    a. On the top right of the submission page, click Sign in and sign in with your Microsoft account. This means we can contact you if we have any further questions or information for you.

    b. On the submission page, click Browse… and find the MpSupportFiles.cab file as described at the bottom of the command prompt window. Click OK to attach the file to the submission form.

    c. Enter the following text in the comments box “Diagnostic logs for Error Code 0x80073afc”.

    d. In the Product menu, click Microsoft Security Essentials.

    e. Ensure all other fields are complete and then click Submit sample.

    In Windows 8.1, if you are using Windows Defender

    1. Open an elevated command prompt:

    a. From the Start screen type “Command Prompt”.

    b. Right-click on Command Prompt when it displays in the search results.

    c. Click Run as administrator.

    d. Click Yes when asked if you want to run this program. 2. Type cd “\Program Files\Windows Defender” and press Enter. 3. Type MpCmdRun.exe -GetFiles and press Enter. 4. Submit the MpSupportFiles.cab file through our malware submission portal:

    a. On the top right of the submission page, click Sign in and sign in with your Microsoft account. This means we can contact you if we have any further questions or information for you.

    b. On the submission page, click Browse… and find the MpSupportFiles.cab file as described at the bottom of the command prompt window. Click OK to attach the file to the submission form.

    c. Enter the following text in the comments box “Diagnostic logs for Error Code 0x80073afc”.

    d. In the Product menu, click Windows Defender.

    e. Ensure all other fields are complete and then click Submit sample.

    Thanks, MMPC

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-06-23T18:11:23+00:00

    I have the same error. Here is the link with the .cab file

    https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=8C6A599717A1013F!831&authkey=!APM8YKLFCkDBLOE&ithint=file%2ccab

    please me inform me which steps to follow in order to solve the problem.

    Thank you

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-06-23T21:22:53+00:00

    please me inform me which steps to follow in order to solve the problem.

    You would need to submit your diagnostic logs through MMPC's submission portal.

    Follow the instructions provided in the post just above yours (last one in page 7 this thread); which also quoted below for users of WD on Win8.1.-

    In Windows 8.1, if you are using Windows Defender

    1. Open an elevated command prompt:

    a. From the Start screen type “Command Prompt”.

    b. Right-click on Command Prompt when it displays in the search results.

    c. Click Run as administrator.

    d. Click Yes when asked if you want to run this program. 2. Type cd “\Program Files\Windows Defender” and press Enter. 3. Type MpCmdRun.exe -GetFiles and press Enter. 4. Submit the MpSupportFiles.cab file through our malware submission portal:

    a. On the top right of the submission page, click Sign in and sign in with your Microsoft account. This means we can contact you if we have any further questions or information for you.

    b. On the submission page, click Browse… and find the MpSupportFiles.cab file as described at the bottom of the command prompt window. Click OK to attach the file to the submission form.

    c. Enter the following text in the comments box “Diagnostic logs for Error Code 0x80073afc”.

    d. In the Product menu, click Windows Defender.

    e. Ensure all other fields are complete and then click Submit sample.

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