how to stop windows defender from constantly alerting me to turn on firewall. It wont stop.

deborah cutone 0 Reputation points
2026-08-31T17:57:51.9166667+00:00

It says your PC is infected with viruses. My security plan tells me no viruses detected. Its constant. I can't read my e-mails

and cannot do anything. it doesn't stop. Also, if I click on it, it brings me to Mcafee. Then a message from Norton.

Also says turn on firewall, when my firewall is on. It's driving me crazy. Please help

Microsoft Security | Microsoft Defender | Other
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  1. AI answer

    2026-08-31T17:58:08.26+00:00

    This looks like fake security pop-ups or browser notifications, not a real Microsoft Defender virus alert. Genuine alerts do not tell users to call a number, and repeated pop-ups that send to McAfee or Norton are commonly caused by a browser site notification or scam page.

    Try this in order:

    1. Close the browser completely.
      • If the pop-up will not close, open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
      • Select Microsoft Edge or the browser showing the alert, then choose End task.
    2. Remove suspicious browser notifications.
      • In Edge, go to notification settings and remove any unfamiliar sites from the allowed list.
      • Also make sure pop-ups are blocked and clear any allowed pop-up entries.
      • If the problem continues, reset the browser settings.
    3. Clear browser data.
      • Clear cookies, site data, and cached files.
      • This helps remove permissions or cached content left by the scam site.
    4. Run Microsoft Defender scans.
      • Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
      • Run a Full scan.
      • Then go to Scan options and run Windows Defender Offline scan.
      • Note: the PC will restart before the offline scan starts, so save work first.
    5. If more than one antivirus product is installed, remove the extras.
      • Running multiple real-time security products at the same time can cause repeated warnings, performance problems, instability, and update or install errors.
      • Go to Start > Settings > Apps.
      • Find unwanted antivirus or antispyware apps and select Uninstall.
      • Restart after each uninstall.
      • Caution: after removing security software, make sure Microsoft Defender Antivirus is enabled and Windows Firewall is turned on so the PC is not left unprotected.
    6. Verify Microsoft Defender Antivirus real-time protection.
      • Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
      • Under Virus & threat protection settings, select Manage settings.
      • Make sure Real-time protection is turned On.

    If the alerts are only appearing inside the browser and keep mentioning viruses while scans show nothing, treat them as fake browser notifications rather than a real infection.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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