Windows Defender Offline definitions out of date

Anonymous
2016-04-24T04:02:30+00:00

Windows 7 64 Bit.  I have been using Windows Defender Offline on a USB thumb drive (4 GB, uses less than 1 GB) for years without problem.  Last week updating Windows Defender Offline definitions to an already working USB thumb drive seemed to install correctly.  When I boot to the USB thumb drive the program boots and runs but I get the message the "definitions out of date", and it will not scan the computer.  I tried formatting USB thumb drive and then installing the whole Windows Defender Offline with definitions instead of just updating the definitions to the already working USB thumb drive.  Everything went correctly, the size of the download appeared to be correct.  I booted to the USB thumb drive and still got the message "definitions out of date".  Since the Windows Defender Offline program started offline, and was installed onto a completely formatted USB thumb drive, it must have downloaded and installed correctly but the definitions are still "out of date".  Are the definitions being updated by Microsoft or has the program been discontinued?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Security and privacy

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Anonymous
2016-06-08T20:47:31+00:00

Not sure that matters at this point, the messages appear to be pointing to 2 unrelated failure points.

I have an update.

We have identified the problem and are working on a new Windows Defender Offline release.

Paul...

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-05-18T02:04:55+00:00

    For those of you doing this on Windows 7 and getting the message ‘This app requires up-to-date virus and spyware definitions. You’ll need to install the latest definition updates before scanning your PC.’

    What happens if you press the Update button?

    I am getting an error 0x80072ee7 but a peer is getting an error 8x80070070.

    I get an error code 0x80072EE7. However, when booting from a WDO thumb drive or CD there is no Internet connectivity anyway, so clearly clicking on the Update button will fail, and whatever error code one gets is irrelevant.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-05-18T01:00:52+00:00

    I get no error message except the previously noted "definition file out of date" when booting the Windows Defender Offline.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-05-18T00:56:48+00:00

    Windows 7 Home Premium  / 64 Bit 

    Using the same mssstool64.exe I have used for years.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-05-17T21:46:03+00:00

    I no longer have Windows 7 to test, but the principal should be the same.

    Go to your start Menu, search for Windows Defender, Click on it.

    On the bottom of the screen, you will see the icon that shows it is open. Right click on it.

    You will see Windows Defender as one of the three options. Right click on it.

    One of the items that pops up will be Properties. Left click on it.

    You will see "Target" in the "Shortcut" tab.

    Right click on the highlighted path and left click Copy.

    Go to your AV app and find where the exceptions to the scans are stored. Add this file as an exception.

    I am guessing, that even if you have the older version of of the Essentials pack with older versions of Defender, the process I outlined should work.

    If not, then reply to this and tell me what problem you faced. I cannot help with the other AV products because I have not tested them and do not know their menu structures.

    Let kw know how everything turns out with a reply.

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