Windows Defender Error Code: 0x80073afc

No I never ran the Norton Removal Tool and/or or the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool.

And the definitions are:

Definitions created on: 2015-03-27 at 9:53 AM

Definitions last updated: 2015-03-27 at 5:22 PM

Virus definition version: 1.195.564.0

Spyware definition version: 1.195.564.0

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  I will add the updates were out of date but in the process of doing a full scan the updates were current once again by the time it finished scanning.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!

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)?

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?"