Windows Security in Windows 11 can become slow or show incorrect status after an upgrade, especially if another antivirus product is installed or if Windows Security components are damaged.
Try these steps in order:
- Check whether another antivirus app is installed and active.
Windows Security includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus, but if another antivirus app is installed and turned on, Microsoft Defender Antivirus turns off automatically. If that applies, uninstall or disable the other antivirus app, then restart and check whether Microsoft Defender Antivirus turns back on. - Reset the Windows Security app.
Open an elevated PowerShell window and run:
Restart the PC and test Windows Security again.Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.SecHealthUI -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage - Run the Windows Security troubleshooter.
Download and run the Windows Security troubleshooter from the support article. It checks and can enable:- SmartScreen or Phishing Filter
- User Account Control (UAC)
- Data Execution Prevention (DEP)
- Windows Firewall
- Antivirus protection status and updates
- If Windows Update components were affected during the upgrade, reset the update cache.
This requires Command Prompt run as administrator. Risk: this renames Windows Update cache folders, so type the commands exactly.
Restart the PC after the commands complete.net stop bits net stop wuauserv ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak net start bits net start wuauserv - If the firewall or Defender status is still inconsistent, check Device Security for TPM issues.
In Windows Security, open Device security and use Security processor troubleshooting if TPM errors appear. If the page shows messages such as TPM disabled or firmware update needed, follow the device manufacturer guidance. Clearing TPM is available there, but back up data first because it resets the security processor. - If a driver is being blocked, update that driver first.
If Windows shows A driver can't load on this device, Memory Integrity is blocking an incompatible driver. The preferred fix is to install an updated compatible driver from Windows Update or the device manufacturer. Turning off Memory Integrity is possible, but it reduces protection and can remove Secured-core state on supported devices. - If the issue started after the BIOS update, check with HP for firmware guidance.
TPM and Secure Boot behavior can be affected by firmware settings. If Secure Boot or TPM appears disabled, those settings are typically managed in BIOS or UEFI.
If Windows Security still takes several minutes to open after these steps, the supported self-service actions in the available guidance are the reset command, the troubleshooter, checking for third-party antivirus, and checking TPM or blocked-driver conditions.
References:
- Windows Security App Overview
- how to reset windows security which is not opening? - Microsoft Q&A
- Automatically fix Windows security issues
- Troubleshoot problems updating Windows
- Device Security in the Windows Security App
- A driver can't load on this device
- Windows devices for home users, businesses, and schools with Microsoft-managed updates