After installing CU/ 1703, Windows Defender Anti-Virus Options disappears and sometime randomly returns, else with System Restore (to a point well AFTER installing CU/ 1703). I want Limited Periodic Scanning to always be on or available (so I can manually check for and download new definitions)
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How can I bypass the Windows Defender Settings window and directly force or access "Windows Defender Anti-Virus Options "?
I'm not quite sure what you are trying to say. Limited Periodic Scanning should be always on. even if you have another AV installed.
Defender has changed appearance a lot for 1703, but the same functionality is available. It does seem confusing at first though until you know where to look. To manually check for updates from within Defender itself, open the 'Windows Defender Security Center'. The 'Check for Updates' button is in..
Windows Defender Security Center > Virus & threat protection > Protection updates.
A manual check for updates in Settings > Update & security > Windows Update should find the Defender definitions updates as well as Windows 10 updates.
The button to run a 'Quick scan' is in Windows Defender Security Center > Virus & threat protection, or click the 'Advanced scan' link beneath it for a Full, Custom or Offline scan.
The (limited) Periodic Scan is in 1703 located in the "Windows Defender Security Center" which many times over the past few days becomes no longer reachable, so the "Windows Defender Anti-Virus options" is then NOT there!! Clicking on "Windows Defender Security Center" will in these cases lead to and show an incomplete panel for LESS than 1 second, and then revert to the "Windows Defender"panel (all of the above through Settings). Yes it "should" always be on. Windows tricked me into downloading an UNIDENTIFIED 1703/ CU update instead of allowing me months for MS to sort out all the bugs ....
As admin.I need a cmd, etc., route directly when this happens again so that i don't have to use System Restore to turn Periodic Scan BACK ON!
This failure to open Windows Defender Security Center properly (or at all) has been reported by others. It appears to be down to a conflict with some 3rd-part AVs. I just use Defender so cannot investigate further...
CU version update: Windows Defender Security Center does not open.WD Security Center does work now that I do not have any other Security Apps installed. Finger Crossed...
I use Kaspersky and now for some days RansomFree too. The Windows Defender through Settings works fine with them .....but several times the only way to get Windows Defenders Security Center and thus Windows Defender Anti-Virus options (important for ME to get Periodic Scanning, since I will NOT run the computer without Kaspersky on FULLTIME) .... is System Restore, and then maybe only day back, since CU came in more than a week ago.
YAY, System Restore!
OK. it is still working with above solution, will now consider it solved until further notice
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