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.

0 comments

122 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-07-03T16:14:24+00:00

    I'm afraid I gave up in the end and installed AVG antivirus free edition instead

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-07-03T17:13:44+00:00

    You should uninstall AVG and install bitdefender free version, it's a lot better than even pro edition or avg business, no joke I used to work at AVG

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-07-03T17:19:29+00:00

    I was just stating that the steps you had mentioned we're things I had already done when I received my laptop, I uninstalled both of the antivirus programs that we're pre loaded as they we're trying to compete with each other and couldn't install Microsoft or hp updates and drivers until I in installed both. I obviously couldn't of read your message and traveled back in time lol.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-07-03T19:22:06+00:00

    TIP: Following instructions or recommendations posted for someone else's computer can have disastrous results. Always begin your own, new thread to avoid confusion.

    Have you EVER run the Norton Removal Tool and/or the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2015-07-05T18:31:07+00:00

    Refer to these steps to turn on Windows Defender:

    1. Press Windows and X keys together.
    2. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Windows Defender icon.
    3. In Windows Defender, click/tap on the Settings tab, Administrators in left pane, uncheck the Turn on Windows Defender box, and on Save Changes.

    hi, there is no windows defender icon on the control panel, is there anything else I could do?

    also, how do i check if there is a 3rd party anti virus?

    thanks, Thomas

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments