Windows Defender on Win8.1: Unable to Start Real Time Protection

[ibenifty]

I've looked all over, no provided 'fix' does anything and most are crappy advice stating, "remove all AV remnants".

To begin:

• 
  custom build, meaning nothing came installed
  Windows 8.1 OS
  everything is up to date, windows update wise
  there has been NO AV programs added
  defender hasn't worked for the last three days (day of the build)
  I'd prefer not to reinstall, as I already have quite a few applications I need for school installed

The error is: This operation returned because the timeout period expired.
Error code: 0x800705b4

I would appreciate any and all advice; thank you.

 

[Shaun o]

Use the charmsand search for Defender. Then, click on Windows Defender.
Select Settings tab.
Check Turn on real-time protection (recommended)
Click Save changes
Click Update tab then Update button to have current updates downloaded and
installed

Once done restart the system.
Because it`s a process its condition is set up in windows upon boot.
The state of the process can be set to On, Off, or automatic.

The process on boot up of windows and its settings can be found by typing: Msconfig in the search bar.

If you run the application a window will open click on the processes tab.
All MS programs set to run on windows boot conditions are set here.

If windows defender ect is not ticked just tick it click apply and restart the system.
It should fix the problem.

 

[ibenifty]

That option has been enabled from the get go, and it's completely updated. However, it still continues throwing "operation returne ... " message when I attempt to turn on real time protection.

The edit did not work.

 

[KingMK]

So, i have the same problem here... new PC, "custom build". I am getting that error from the start... windows are fresh
Has anyone yet found the solution for that problem? I really want to fix it.

Thank you, Marcel