[SOLVED] Help with setting up Windows Defender when my "organization" controls it?

[Peg Flint]

I worked from home for a major company and I had their software on my computer - which included Kaspersky. I was only allowed to use their software for anti-virus, etc.

I no longer work for them and am about to start with another company but can't pass the test they sent because I can't turn on Windows Defender.

I've removed all of the launchpad stuff I could find from my company but I'm still having issues.

I'm really a newbie at a lot of this technical stuff - although I've used computers for years.

Can someone babystep in how to remove the organization so I can get Windows Defender started? I've already removed the organization from my accounts along with hopefully removing all of their software.

 

[Dowell71]

reinstalling windows 10 is the best option

u can see how to reinstall w10 on youtube

 

[Wolfshadw]

Agreed. Just reinstall Windows from scratch using their Windows 10 Media Creation Tool.

-Wolf sends

 

[britechguy]

My guess is that you cannot.

I'm willing to bet that if you hit the Windows Key, type winver, then hit enter that the Windows Edition on your machine is going to be Enterprise if the computer was supplied to you by your former employer, even if ownership has been transferred to you. If it is, you need to reinstall Windows anyway as in order for you to have control over Windows 10 it cannot be Enterprise Edition. You'd need Home or Pro.

 

[Peg Flint]

This has always been my own computer (I bought it myself). I was working for UHaul (great company - may go back later next year but needed something with less hours).

My fear about reinstalling Windows 10 is that I'll lose some of my apps and games and stuff. Is there any way to avoid that?

 

[Dowell71]

This has always been my own computer (I bought it myself). I was working for UHaul (great company - may go back later next year but needed something with less hours).

My fear about reinstalling Windows 10 is that I'll lose some of my apps and games and stuff. Is there any way to avoid that?

no there isnt anyway, to avoid that. IF its your own PC, go back to that company and talk about this or call them

 

[USAFRet]

This has always been my own computer (I bought it myself). I was working for UHaul (great company - may go back later next year but needed something with less hours).

My fear about reinstalling Windows 10 is that I'll lose some of my apps and games and stuff. Is there any way to avoid that?

A full wipe and reinstall means a reinstall of all your applications as well.
If you know where to get them and how to reinstall, you won't 'lose' anything.

But for this situation, a full wipe and reinstall is indicated.

 

[britechguy]

A completely clean reinstall (options a & b are downloadable PDF files):

a) Completely Clean Win10 (Re)install Using MCT to Download Win10 ISO File

b) Completely Clean Win10 (Re)install Using MCT to Create a Bootable USB Drive

c) How to do a CLEAN Installation of Windows 10 (Tom’s Hardware Forums, with screen shots)

Really is your best bet to ensure that you, and you alone, are the administrator and have full control over all aspects of the machine. It would be helpful to know which Edition, Version, and Build you actually have, which you can get running the winver command.

It goes without saying, or I guess I should say that it should go without saying, that before any completely clean reinstall it is imperative that you do three things:

1. Take a full system image backup of your existing system.
2. Take a separate user data backup as well, as this is what you'll most likely need and use to reload all of your data after the completely clean reinstall.
3. Download Belarc Advisor, or a similar utility of your choosing, and get an inventory of the installed software on your system. Collect the installers for the programs you will need to reinstall so that you have them handy to get your fresh Windows 10 set up as you like it.

Also be certain to review each and every pane in the Privacy settings after a completely clean install (it doesn't take long) so that they're set to your liking. In addition, if you are installing things like a third party browser, an e-mail client, etc., then definitely have a run through the Apps settings, default apps pane to make sure that what you want in "the big categories" is actually selected.