Windows Defender Offline definitions out of date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  When I boot to the USB thumb drive the program boots and runs but I get the message the "definitions out of date", and it will not scan the computer.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  I booted to the USB thumb drive and still got the message "definitions out of date".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a completely formatted USB thumb drive, it must have downloaded and installed correctly but the definitions are still "out of date".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
    2016-05-22T18:22:31+00:00

    I would remove the hard drive from the infected machine and hook it up to a healthy, up-to-date Windows 10 machine (which is easily accomplished using a USB to SATA bridge adapter cable) where I would scan it using the built-in Windows Defender program.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-05-22T20:35:25+00:00

    The best thing would be to restore the system from a known good Image backup.  After first backing up your data files so you can restore them after the restore from the good Image backup.  I always do an Image backup at least once a month and rename and keep 2-3 past Image backups just in case.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-05-26T02:07:16+00:00

    Don't you find it a little strange that nobody "really" from Microsoft is responding to this problem. With so many having this trouble, I would think they would be all over it! But then again I am beginning to think that their program is functioning just as it is designed.

    It can be seen, by examining the data on the USB, that updates are in fact occurring. The programs inability to determine this is probably due to procedure built in, that is checking for something else altogether.

    I believe that most of us are probably guilty of violating the WDO EULA. 

    And possibly some would rather do without WDO than comply.

    There is a copy of the EULA at "go.Microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=253996." Scroll down the screen quite a

    way to see it.

    Among all the subjects discussed there, is this, that is probably pertinent to our situation:

    "The software features connect to Microsoft or Service Provider computer systems over the internet, using the  Customer Experience Improvement Program. By using these features you consent to the transmission

    of this information."

    Probably a good portion of us have responded to the cries of "invasion of privacy", and spying" associated with TELEMETRY, and Windows 10, by employing measures to combat it. Some of which involve turning off the Customer Experience Improvement Program. And disabling scheduled tasks and services.

    Check your own machine for the status of the CEIP, by hitting START>type CUST>select Change Customer Experience Program Settings, and see how it is set. If it is "NO", Microsoft will probably not allow you to use the WDO program any more, perhaps by denying it to accept updates.

    I have attempted to remove all of the barriers  to telemetry on my machine that I can find, just for a test.

    But sadly, still no success with WDO. I may be missing something. See if this is of any use for you.  GLEN

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-05-26T06:32:33+00:00

    I just chatted with a Microsoft Answer Tech online, and they said that they would create a ticket to request that someone higher up at Microsoft look into the problem. I'm not sure if this will help, but at least I tried. Smile.

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