Can not turn on Windows Defender..

Hi Gang,

I am on Windows 10 Home version. this is a 2 week old install of Windows 10.. I am all uipto date with my drivers besides my Video card drivers..

I installed Kaspersky AV and then I uninstalled it with Control Panel add remove. I am know unable to turn on Windows Defender..

I tried using Kasperskys removal tool which said it removed some but I still can not turn on Windows Defender..

When I go there with Settings/Update and Security all the options are Greyed out.. I tried contacting Kaspersky help line but they are blaming it on a Microsoft issue as usual so no help there..

I am unsure what else to try I googled a few things but none of it worked.. So I hope the experts here can help me as I have no where else to turn too..

Kaspersky may have set the registry setting that disables Defender and it has not been removed yet. See Option Two in this tutorial...
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/...a.html#option2

- Check your registry and manually remove possible Kaspersky leftover keys (Windows key + R) regedit

- Try System Restore

Bree those seemed to be on in the registry..

torre there is only 2 and they are too recent to go back on a restore point so that is not an option.. I did not see any Kaspersky entries in registry either..

What is really annoying is Windows keeps telling me they are off but trying to turn them on has no effect..

Random ideas:

- Check with Bree about your findings

- https://www.revouninstaller.com/revo..._download.html

Run Revo and do a forced uinstall to try to find Kaspersky leftover entries

- Reinstall Kaspersky and uninstall using only the Kaspersky Removal Tool.

- At last resort, Reset Win10

this sucks as I may have to reset windows now Arghhhh!!

JLAF5150 said:

this sucks as I may have to reset windows now Arghhhh!!

Try an in-place repair install instead, you keep all your installed apps and files that way...

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

Maybe even sfc /scannow?