how to fix windows defender

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how to fix windows defender

Praise Thom 0

windows defender is not working is says windows security service centre cant be started while windows defender app is showing a blank white screen tried to repair and reset but it didnt work

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3 answers

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Answer 1

ApexNáV 265

Repairing Windows by reinstalling the same version may help. It repairs system files and components while preserving your apps, files, and settings, but I still recommend backing up important data just in case. You can perform the repair using the Microsoft guide below:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/install-upgrade/fix-issues-by-reinstalling-the-current-version-of-windows

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Answer 2

Hi,

This issue can occur if the system is infected. Please share your Farbar scan logs for analysis.

Download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool 64-bit FRST64.exe
If the OS language is not English, rename FRST64.exe to FRST64English.exe.
Run the program. Don't check or uncheck any options. Click "Scan".
Add the two logs, FRST.txt and Addition.txt, to a zip archive.
Share the zip file on OneDrive or GoFile.io, and post the link here.

Note: If Microsoft Edge or Chrome mislabels the Farbar Scanner executable as PUA/malware, choose to keep it by tapping … in the bottom bar, choosing Keep, and then choosing Keep anyway in the dialog that appears. See this screenshot. It's a safe tool used in most antimalware forums.

Standard Disclaimer: There is a link to a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to provide accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 3

Try this in order:

Restart the PC Close apps and restart Windows first.
Check the Defender service
- Open Start and run services.msc
- Find Windows Defender Antivirus Service
- Make sure Startup type is Automatic
- On the Action menu, select Start
- If Start is unavailable, select Stop, wait for it to stop, then select Start again
Check whether another antivirus is disabling Defender On Windows 10/11, if a non-Microsoft antivirus is installed, Microsoft Defender Antivirus can be turned off automatically.
- Open appwiz.cpl
- Uninstall any third-party security or antivirus software
- Restart the PC
Note: some security apps do not uninstall completely and may require their cleanup utility. Removing security software can leave the PC temporarily unprotected.
Review Defender event logs
- Open Event Viewer
- Go to Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > Windows Defender > Operational
- Check for these event IDs:
  - 15
  - 5007
  - 5010
Check if policy is turning Defender off Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
```
   GPresult.exe /h gpresult.html
```
Open the generated gpresult.html report and check under Windows Components/Microsoft Defender Antivirus for:
- Policy: Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus
- Setting: Enabled
Also check whether DisableAntiSpyware is being applied under: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
Check Defender-related services in PowerShell Open PowerShell as administrator and run:
```
   Get-Service WinDefend, WdBoot, WdFilter, WdNisSvc, WdNisDrv, SecurityHealthService, wscsvc | Format-Table -Auto DisplayName, Name, StartType, Status
```
Expected key results include:
- Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service (WinDefend): Automatic, Running
- Windows Security Service (SecurityHealthService): Manual, Running
- Security Center (wscsvc): Automatic, Running
Reset Defender definitions and platform Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
```
   MpCmdRun.exe -RemoveDefinitions -All
   MpCmdRun.exe -ResetPlatform
```

Back up and remove Defender policy keys This changes Defender policy in the registry. Back up first. Open PowerShell as administrator and run:

   New-Item -Path "C:\DefenderTemp" -ItemType Directory; Invoke-Command {reg export 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender' C:\DefenderTemp\_DefenderAVBackup.reg}

Then remove the Defender policy key:

   Remove-Item -Path 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender' -Force

Run Windows Update After the steps above, run Microsoft Update/Windows Update and install available updates.
If the service still will not start Run the Microsoft Safety Scanner to rule out malware. If errors appear when starting the service, contact Microsoft Support and provide the exact error.

References: