Windows 10 update turning Windows Defender off?

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  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #1

    Windows 10 update turning Windows Defender off?


    So, earlier today (after having been gone for the last week on a trip) I installed a update for my Windows 10 computer. After the update (and it seemed like a doosy) the system worked fine for about 5-10 minutes and so I set about doing the usual disk cleanup. During this though Windows Defender turned itself off. Attempts to open the program either result in a window that just reads that the app is 'turned off' and isn't monitoring the computer. Following the tabs on the 'action center' pull out seem to open up the Defender tab properly and allows me to turn it on...but then it turns itself off again after a couple of seconds.

    I'm not currently running any other kind of virus scan/spyware protection software on the machine atm. Kinda lost as to what happened here or how to fix it. Aside from just installing new anti-virus software.

    Thoughts?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #2

    cBselfmonkey said:
    So, earlier today (after having been gone for the last week on a trip) I installed a update for my Windows 10 computer. After the update (and it seemed like a doosy) the system worked fine for about 5-10 minutes and so I set about doing the usual disk cleanup. During this though Windows Defender turned itself off. Attempts to open the program either result in a window that just reads that the app is 'turned off' and isn't monitoring the computer. Following the tabs on the 'action center' pull out seem to open up the Defender tab properly and allows me to turn it on...but then it turns itself off again after a couple of seconds.

    I'm not currently running any other kind of virus scan/spyware protection software on the machine atm. Kinda lost as to what happened here or how to fix it. Aside from just installing new anti-virus software.

    Thoughts?
    Hi cBselfmonkey and welcome to Tenforums.
    Have look here and see if this helps:

    Windows Defender - Turn On or Off in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    simrick said:
    Hi cBselfmonkey and welcome to Tenforums.
    Have look here and see if this helps:

    Windows Defender - Turn On or Off in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums
    Hello simrick

    I followed the steps here Windows Defender - Turn On or Off in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums specifically the option with the REG file? Downloaded it, got the warning thingy about the registry and saved it anyway, clicked through all the options etc... and still nothing. Defender wont stay on.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #4

    cBselfmonkey said:
    Hello simrick

    I followed the steps here Windows Defender - Turn On or Off in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums specifically the option with the REG file? Downloaded it, got the warning thingy about the registry and saved it anyway, clicked through all the options etc... and still nothing. Defender wont stay on.
    Hi.
    Are you not able to try Option #1?

    Perhaps you could try sfc /scannow, to see if there are any corrupt system files which might be repaired.

    SFC Command - Run in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

    Keep in mind, you may need to run it at least 3 times, rebooting in-between each run. Sometimes it needs to fix some before it can fix others.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 1
    Windows 10
       #5

    My computer just updated and is doing the same thing as well. The SFC check came back with is all ok. It must be something to do with the update.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 16,325
    W10Prox64
       #6

    Odd. Please be sure both of you report this through the Windows Feedback App in your system. Search for it first, to see if many others are reporting the same issue.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1
    Windows 10
       #7

    Same problem with cBselfmonkey :/
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 39,789
    Win 7 32, Win 7 64 Pro, Win 8.1 64 Pro, Win 10 64 Education Edition, Win 11 Pro
       #8

    Looks like the same thing a lot of people are encountering since the last update. There have a few other post relating to this with the same problem, Defender not staying on/running. For most people, doing a refresh or repair install solved the problem.

    Refresh Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

    Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade - Windows 10 Forums

    Refreshing your PC fixes software problems by reinstalling the OS while preserving the user data, user accounts, and important settings. All other preinstalled customizations are restored to their factory state. In Windows 10, this feature no longer preserves user-acquired Windows apps.
    The options above are great for what they are intended for, but you could also do a repair install of Windows 10 by performing an in-place upgrade without losing anything other than all installed Windows Updates.
    If you're having problems with Windows 10 on your PC, you could use push-button reset to refresh or reset Windows.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #9

    Defender Won't stay on


    cBselfmonkey said:
    Hello simrick

    I followed the steps here Windows Defender - Turn On or Off in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums specifically the option with the REG file? Downloaded it, got the warning thingy about the registry and saved it anyway, clicked through all the options etc... and still nothing. Defender wont stay on.
    I'm having the same problem, I've scanned my system several times, restarted, etc., to no avail.
    Is there any answer to this issue beyond the obvious things we've already tried? I'm going to have to download a 3rd part app soon, as I don't want my PC to remain unprotected.

    Thanks for any new info from anyone.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #10

    P.S. when I look at the Defender status from Setting>>Security&Update, the switch shows Defender is in "On" position, but unable to toggle the switch:

    Windows 10 update turning Windows Defender off?-2016_01_24_10_43_061.png
      My Computer


 

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