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
    2015-06-26T00:40:24+00:00

    i too have the same issue with my system.yes mcafee free trail was preinstalled.after 1 month of use,i deactivated it and switched to windows defender.

    pls help me how to fix this error

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-06-26T02:58:19+00:00

    i too have the same issue with my system.yes mcafee free trail was preinstalled.after 1 month of use,i deactivated it and switched to windows defender.

    pls help me how to fix this error

    See this Wiki article:

    List of anti-malware product removal tools

    Download an run the McAfee Consumer products Removal Tool.

    Then see -

    Problems starting Windows Defender in Windows 8/8.1

    -steve

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-06-26T22:20:03+00:00

    yes i have done these exact steps as well with the restore of 2 days and 2 weeks and still am having the ridiculous error come up, So annoying when i have done everything in my power without going to a full recovery, idk what else to do and that will be my last resort, i may just go with bitdefender as im sick of microsoft failing us

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-06-27T02:09:46+00:00

    yes i have done these exact steps as well with the restore of 2 days and 2 weeks and still am having the ridiculous error come up, So annoying when i have done everything in my power without going to a full recovery, idk what else to do and that will be my last resort, i may just go with bitdefender as im sick of microsoft failing us

    Please see this Wiki article if you are willing to help troubleshoot the error:

    Windows Defender Error Code: 0x80073afc

    -steve

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-06-27T02:21:03+00:00

    I got a response from an agent and this is my response back to you Microsoft.

    Thanks for trying but I have already attempted this as well as I did my research I did a 2 say old restore and a 2 week old restore and nothing worked, so finally I had to just go with bitdefender as I do not have weeks to wait for a solution neither will I do a full recovery as I already had issues with this brand new hp laptop when I purchased it in April and with windows 8 and the two pre loaded antivirus software's competing It took 2 days to figure out I had to uninstall both just to install Microsoft and hp updates so I'm not very happy with Microsoft as of late, if a vehicle was made the way Microsoft is no one would purchase the vehicle and the company would go out of business

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