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

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-08-31T02:12:49+00:00

    There have been quite a few recent posts about this error.

    See this Wiki article - http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/wiki/protect\_defender-protect\_start/windows-defender-error-code-0x80073afc/29365ebc-5986-4408-a728-0600f41991b3?tm=1435026367942

    Nothing definitive as to a cause or a solution, but some users have reported that a System Restore resolved the problem. Others reported that it did not help.

    Alternatively, though it may be painful. you may wish to consider --

    Restore, reset, refresh Windows 8: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/restore-refresh-reset-pc -- this may actually be the quickest solution if you don't have lots of installed programs to reinstall.

    -steve

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