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
    2015-03-28T00:37:59+00:00

    I am having the same error message.  I have followed all the steps, System Restore, McFee removal, Windows Safety Scanner etc. but the problem persists.  I cannot find Windows Defender listed anywhere.  Next I tried:

    • From an elevated command prompt, change directory to “%programfiles%\Windows Defender” (eg: c:\Program Files\Windows Defender)

    I am not sure I found the elevated command prompt;  I found the command prompt that showed C;/rharris1949 and typed in Program Files\Windows Defender at the blinking cursor but it would not accept it.  Please direct me how to find the spot to enter it.

    • In the command prompt, run:       MpCmdRun.exe -GetFiles

    Tried this command at the blinking cursor but would not accept it.  Am I entering it in the right spot?  If not please direct me more specifically where to enter it

    Thank you

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Deleted

    This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

    Comments have been turned off. Learn more

  3. Anonymous
    2015-03-28T00:55:01+00:00

    Thanks for all the help! The System Restore solved the problem.

    Good! Thanks for your feedback but still...

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

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-03-28T01:02:03+00:00

    I am having the same error message.  I have followed all the steps, System Restore, McFee removal, Windows Safety Scanner etc. but the problem persists.  I cannot find Windows Defender listed anywhere.

    What about Problems starting Windows Defender in Windows 8/8.1 (including SFC)?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2015-03-28T01:10:09+00:00

    Ron,

    How many times did you do the system restore?  I'm asking because I had this same issue with the error message just a few days ago.  After trying all the solutions suggested, including clean booting twice, all to no avail, I figured I'd try doing another system restore.  The first one I did, the system was restored for two days prior.  As I was going through the steps I remembered seeing the option (paraphrasing) "select from additional restore dates."  So, as I went through the steps the second time and came upon that option I clicked on the restore dates option, and the only other date listed was for two weeks prior and I decided to go with that one thinking that surely my Defender was working fine two weeks ago.  I proceeded with the restore, and once my system came back up I tried pulling up Defender, and lo and behold, it came up!  I will add the updates were out of date but in the process of doing a full scan the updates were current once again by the time it finished scanning.

    Hope this helps!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments