Windows Defender is missing, please help.

Hiya guys.

In a nutshell my windows defender is missing. I first noticed the issue when i tried to click on the open security control center option (where you would manage exceptions to the antivirus for example) in the update & security tab in the settings, and nothing happened. If i click on the windef icon on the taskbar same result, it dosent react, no hung processes or nothing. If i try to open it in safe mode it gets wierder: it closes the settings window as soon as i try to click on the update & security tab.

In the policy editor (gpedit.msc) i dont even have a windef folder just windef antivirus and windef smartscreen and one more which i cant recall (in work atm).

I tried to run the sfc scan which stops at 50% in both normal and safe modes. It says it cannot perform the requested operation.

I tried the DISM scan/restore thing i get an error message saying that the specified buffer contains ill formed data.

Antivirus says everythings a-okay.

Im at about my wits end here, any help would be appreciated.

Best Regards
Sage

PS: First time poster, hope i did everything correctly .

Welcome to tenforums. When you say Anti Virus says everything is OK, I assume you have a third party Anti Virus. If that is the case, third party anti virus's will disable Defender.

Left click on Winkey to reveal apps.
Scroll down to "Windows Accessories".....scroll down to the bottom one.....is it "Windows Defender Security Centre"?
If it is there click on it...