Windows Defender disabled and is unable to start

OK. I am not sure if you can complete the steps below.......................
In the search box, type services.msc > Enter
Items in the Services box are listed alphabetically.
Scroll down to Windows Defender Service...........................
at Status heading, it should be.................................... Running
at Startup type, it should be......................................... Automatic





If that is not what yours said, right click at Windows Defender Service > click Properties >
can you change the Startup type to Automatic and Service status to Start ?
If yes, do so and click OK when done.

Hi!

Okay so I looked in through the services and I seem to be missing the Windows Defender service. It's not there anywhere. Some malware or Antivirus might have deleted it.


I Google the problem and there seem to be some registry error that might have done it. The problem is that now I don't know how would I fix that.


And yes I have done the the mentioned steps many times already for security center. Setting the service to now Automatic (delayed start)

I seem to be facing a problem mentioned over here. (sorry if it isn't allowed to post external link)


Computer Quirks: Windows Defender Service Missing

Now the fix is for Windows 7. If someone would upload the registry file for Win 10 the same way that guy did?

Some time ago, someone had the WD missing in services too.
There was no solution then.

I have no solution for that either.
Sorry.

thenextstar said:

I seem to be facing a problem mentioned over here. (sorry if it isn't allowed to post external link)


Computer Quirks: Windows Defender Service Missing

Now the fix is for Windows 7. If someone would upload the registry file for Win 10 the same way that guy did?

I do not recommend action such as this without personally trying it out for validation.
Telling you to try it would be unethical and irresponsible.
So, I am not going to tell you one way or the other.
Again I am sorry I am of little help to you.

I think you should do a Repair Install, otherwise known as Upgrade Install.
It will allow you to keep your files, settings and apps. So you don't have to reinstall all the 3rd party programs you have.
Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

Hi!

It's okay you have been constantly trying to help me.

So now I did some editing with the registry key using regedut as mentioned in one of the articles online and I finally have the windows defender dialog box open up by clicking on use Windows defender.

Now in the dialog box of WD when I click on the red start now button another box opens up and says the service couldn't be started. The specified service doesn't exist as an installed service.

If anyone could provide me the registry keys under HKEY_LOCALMACHINE/SOFTWARE/Policies/Microsoft/WindowsDefender

davidhk said:

thenextstar,

Here is another link to download the FREE Malwarebytes. NOT the trial version.

https://www.malwarebytes.org/mwb-download/


Adding......................... in fact, only 2 months ago I had to do a Clean Install of Windows 10 and I installed the free edition Malwarebytes back to the system. Never did I need to use the Trial version.

I'm sorry to rehash this, but some misunderstanding persists.
(Part of it is probably due to the somewhat aggressive wording and design on the various product pages that are designed with a "marketing" intent.)

There is only 1 installer file (setup file) for MBAM Consumer.
It is the same installer for Free and Premium.
A user who installs the "Free" version can ACTIVATE the program to "Premium" by entering the license Key/ID information into the GUI.
How to Install
How to Activate

More info about v2.2.0 HERE
Version 2.2.0 Release History HERE
User Guide ONLINE
User Guide PDF
FAQ: Common Questions, Issues, and their Solutions

There is a TRIAL version offered by default during the setup wizard, UNLESS the user opts-out of that trial during the installation process.
The Trial lasts for 14 days, with all of the full features of the paid version.
After 14 days, the Trial reverts to the manual, on-demand Free version, UNLESS it has been activated during that time with a valid, paid license.
There is currently only ONE Trial per PC per major program version for MBAM Home version.
So, if you do not see and/or are not offered the Trial during a (re)install of MBAM, then it means that the Trial for that version of the program has already been used on that particular system.
(Trial users can always end the trial early, if they wish. And Premium users can "deactivate" their MBAM install through the GUI, as well, to revert the program back to the Free version.)

Having said all that, the malware detection and removal capabilities of the Free and the Premium versions are the same.
The difference between them is the active, real-time protection and some other important enhancements (Premium) vs. being a manual, on-demand scanner (Free) . There is a comparison HERE.

Having said all that, if MBAM detected and removed many items, then you may still have malware remnants and/or damage from malware on the system. (It's impossible to say for sure without seeing the MBAM scan logs or other diagnostic logs.)
Complete detection and removal and repair of malware infection (and even some PUPs) may require the use of multiple, different scanners and tools, and even custom scripts written by a trained malware expert, as explained here.
IOW, one clean scan with one malware scanner (even MBAM) may not mean that you are fully clean.
You may want to get a bit of additional, guided help with further cleanup.

Hope this helps,:)

MM (unaffiliated with the company or product and just another home user & MBAM forum volunteer)

I don't know why you started saying all these.
All I asked the OP was to download the free Malwarebytes and run the scan.
If the OP likes it so much, he/she can buy the paid version later. That has nothing to do with what the OP was trying to do.

Let's help the OP getting his/her Windows Defender back. Nothing else is relevant.

davidhk said:

I don't know why you started saying all these.

It was provided merely to clarify/correct inadvertently inaccurate/misleading information.

Let's help the OP getting his/her Windows Defender back.

It doesn't necessarily help to provide inaccurate information.

Nothing else is relevant.

If the machine is infected (as mentioned by the OP's report of the results of the MBAM scan), then it is relevant.
Trying to fix Windows services or other problems on an infected machine with possible remnants of malware infection can be a fruitless endeavor, until the malware is fully removed. And that process may require the use of multiple tools, perhaps with the guidance of someone trained in malware removal. (Without scan logs or other diagnostic data, it's impossible to say for sure what's going on.)

But, it's all yours.:)

Cheers,
MM