Windows Defender won't turn back on after uninstalling Avast Free!

[jtong]

Hi guys,

I'm currently running Windows 8.1, 64 bit and I'm having trouble turning back on windows defender after deciding to rid of Avast Free. I've tried using their program avastclear, tried re-installing avast again and using avastclear and I've also tried cleaning my registry using Ccleaner and STILL Windows Defender still won't turn on.

When I try to turn it on, the loading icon (little blue circle) next to the cursor flashes for a brief moment, as if it's loading, and then disappears and nothing happens. When I try opening Windows Defender, the program itself, a message pops up saying: "This app has been turned off and isn't monitoring your computer. If you're using another app to check for malicious or unwanted software, use Action Center to check that app's status."

I'm not very 'computer-smart', so, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank-you in advance!

 

[dodger46]

Hi guys,

I'm currently running Windows 8.1, 64 bit and I'm having trouble turning back on windows defender after deciding to rid of Avast Free. I've tried using their program avastclear, tried re-installing avast again and using avastclear and I've also tried cleaning my registry using Ccleaner and STILL Windows Defender still won't turn on.

When I try to turn it on, the loading icon (little blue circle) next to the cursor flashes for a brief moment, as if it's loading, and then disappears and nothing happens. When I try opening Windows Defender, the program itself, a message pops up saying: "This app has been turned off and isn't monitoring your computer. If you're using another app to check for malicious or unwanted software, use Action Center to check that app's status."

I'm not very 'computer-smart', so, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank-you in advance!

Did the same to me but was running after I restarted the PC, hope yours does similar!
If not try Windows Diagnostics
First try System File Checker
Winkey plus 'X'
Choose Command Prompt (Admin)
Type sfc /scannow then Enter

It finds and fixes errors in Windows, but doesn't always report them. Run it and see if the fault disappears after re-booting your system
If corrupt files are found that can’t be fixed, try

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth (Observe spaces before /)

Re-run SFC

To view CBS Log

findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log >sfcdetails.txt

Search C drive for sfcdetails.txt or navigate to C:\Windows\System32 and scroll down.

 

[jtong]

Hi guys,

I'm currently running Windows 8.1, 64 bit and I'm having trouble turning back on windows defender after deciding to rid of Avast Free. I've tried using their program avastclear, tried re-installing avast again and using avastclear and I've also tried cleaning my registry using Ccleaner and STILL Windows Defender still won't turn on.

When I try to turn it on, the loading icon (little blue circle) next to the cursor flashes for a brief moment, as if it's loading, and then disappears and nothing happens. When I try opening Windows Defender, the program itself, a message pops up saying: "This app has been turned off and isn't monitoring your computer. If you're using another app to check for malicious or unwanted software, use Action Center to check that app's status."

I'm not very 'computer-smart', so, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank-you in advance!

Did the same to me but was running after I restarted the PC, hope yours does similar!
If not try Windows Diagnostics
First try System File Checker
Winkey plus 'X'
Choose Command Prompt (Admin)
Type sfc /scannow then Enter

It finds and fixes errors in Windows, but doesn't always report them. Run it and see if the fault disappears after re-booting your system
If corrupt files are found that can’t be fixed, try

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth (Observe spaces before /)

Re-run SFC

To view CBS Log

findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log >sfcdetails.txt

Search C drive for sfcdetails.txt or navigate to C:\Windows\System32 and scroll down.

I forgot to mention; after using avastclear, I have restarted my laptop and it STILL does the same. I'm currently running SFC now, so I'll let you know how I go.

Thank You.

 

[jtong]

Hi guys,

I'm currently running Windows 8.1, 64 bit and I'm having trouble turning back on windows defender after deciding to rid of Avast Free. I've tried using their program avastclear, tried re-installing avast again and using avastclear and I've also tried cleaning my registry using Ccleaner and STILL Windows Defender still won't turn on.

When I try to turn it on, the loading icon (little blue circle) next to the cursor flashes for a brief moment, as if it's loading, and then disappears and nothing happens. When I try opening Windows Defender, the program itself, a message pops up saying: "This app has been turned off and isn't monitoring your computer. If you're using another app to check for malicious or unwanted software, use Action Center to check that app's status."

I'm not very 'computer-smart', so, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank-you in advance!

Did the same to me but was running after I restarted the PC, hope yours does similar!
If not try Windows Diagnostics
First try System File Checker
Winkey plus 'X'
Choose Command Prompt (Admin)
Type sfc /scannow then Enter

It finds and fixes errors in Windows, but doesn't always report them. Run it and see if the fault disappears after re-booting your system
If corrupt files are found that can’t be fixed, try

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth (Observe spaces before /)

Re-run SFC

To view CBS Log

findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log >sfcdetails.txt

Search C drive for sfcdetails.txt or navigate to C:\Windows\System32 and scroll down.

I just finished cleaning those corrupt files with 'Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth', and Windows Defender still won't turn on 🙁

 

[dodger46]

Check your Programs and Features for
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable – x86 9.0. 30729 .4148.
and Uninstall.
Also Uninstall Google Chrome if you have it...

 

[jtong]

Check your Programs and Features for
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable – x86 9.0. 30729 .4148.
and Uninstall.
Also Uninstall Google Chrome if you have it...

This didn't work either 🙁

 

[dodger46]

Check your Programs and Features for
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable – x86 9.0. 30729 .4148.
and Uninstall.
Also Uninstall Google Chrome if you have it...

This didn't work either 🙁

Guess we're drifting towards a Refresh or Reset. One last attempt, try searching your C drive for Avast and delete any files/folders you find...

 

[jtong]

So, I just read another forum and it told me to:
Windows key + R > Scroll down to Security Center > reset.

FINALLY action center popped up and Windows Defender turned on!

 

[dodger46]

Another possibility, re-install Avast then uninstall using Revo uninstaller (Free)
http://www.revouninstaller.com/revo_uninstaller_free_download.html

 

[dodger46]

So, I just read another forum and it told me to:
Windows key + R > Scroll down to Security Center > reset.

FINALLY action center popped up and Windows Defender turned on!

Grand. Though I think you meant to say you ran services.msc from the 'run' command. I assumed (wrongly!) that you'd done that. All's well that ends well...

 

[Heath Flax]

So, I just read another forum and it told me to:
Windows key + R > Scroll down to Security Center > reset.

FINALLY action center popped up and Windows Defender turned on!

--to comment overall and as well, on this last maneuver that worked for _you_;

1. it appears it took going through several methods , to find one that worked.
2. more methods may be necessary for some...such as me. all these methods tried, and still no windows defender. 3. In my case, i typed windows defender in search, and still got the same dumb message that it's turned off and not monitoring. 4. So i tried typing "security center" , and finally got the window to switch on windows defender...which had to be switched on in two check boxes there. Which might or might not , i suppose, work for others...but I thought I'd throw it out there in case of any use for anyone. and then i got to uninstalling malwarebytes, which i had just installed a few minutes ago...and which was taking up , oh, about 30 to 60 per cent of my cpu cycles. no idea why, but obviously it had to go. so far, Defender isn't taking up much of any cpu or memory power. I guess the bottom line message is, "keep trying" and you might be able to get this and other stuff done...somehow.... in this possibly crazy windows 8 OS.

 

[robj72]

This thread helped me to hone in on the problem.

The problem lies with the security credentials (logon) assigned to the Security Center service.

Apparently, they were somehow altered (although not apparent) by another program.

To reset, i simply browsed the account 'Local Service' and then you can enter any password (or so I read) because this password is actually ignored.

I then restarted Security Center and was able to then leverage that to restart Windows Defender properly. Voila!

 

[duongvalo]

When you find that your Windows defender is turned off, Then Action Center will show you a message at the right side of Windows task bar. If the message is not coming there, then you need to turn on the message for “Spyware and unwanted software protection” and “Virus protection”for Action Center. Follow the steps to turn on the Windows defender.
1. When you turn on the message for “Spyware and unwanted software protection” and “Virus protection” of Action Center. You will get a red cross symbol with the Action Center icon at the right side of task bar. Just Click on there.
2. Now click on “Turn on Virus protection (important)” or “Turn on spyware protection (important)“.
3. Wait for some time. Windows defender in Windows 8 will turn on after some time.
4. That is it. Now your PC/System is protected by Windows defender.

 

[kblood]

PERFECT ANSWER!!!! Thank you!!!

 

[SiNJiN76]

So, I just read another forum and it told me to:
Windows key + R > Scroll down to Security Center > reset.

FINALLY action center popped up and Windows Defender turned on!

Same thing just happened to me on Windows 10. This time it was Webroot. After uinstalling, Defender would not turn on. There was no 'Reset' option, but just stopping the service, it restarted on its own and turned Defender on immediately.

Took awhile to find this answer today. Thanks.

 

[Daddy of 2]

So, I just read another forum and it told me to:
Windows key + R > Scroll down to Security Center > reset.

FINALLY action center popped up and Windows Defender turned on!

Same thing just happened to me on Windows 10. This time it was Webroot. After uinstalling, Defender would not turn on. There was no 'Reset' option, but just stopping the service, it restarted on its own and turned Defender on immediately.

Took awhile to find this answer today. Thanks.

and me with removing AVG - many thanks

 

[IAmMattman]

So, I just read another forum and it told me to:
Windows key + R > Scroll down to Security Center > reset.

FINALLY action center popped up and Windows Defender turned on!

You forgot a step. Windows Key + R > Type in: "services.msc" (no quotes) > Press Enter > Scroll down to Security Center.

I only got Windows Defender to turn on when I completely stopped the Security Center Service. Restarting it would not let me turn on Windows Defender.

 

[SiNJiN76]

The way I finally got it to turn on and stay on is by installing another Antivirus and then Uninstalling it. I think I used Comodo. Upon uninstalling it, Defender turned on and stayed on...

 

[IAmMattman]

The way I finally got it to turn on and stay on is by installing another Antivirus and then Uninstalling it. I think I used Comodo. Upon uninstalling it, Defender turned on and stayed on...

Hmmm, that is a weird way of fixing it but I will try it since anytime the Security Center Service is running Defender gets turned off immediately.

 

[lugols]

I just wanted to add my 2 cents to this - I spent hours trying to fix this - been through the regedit solution as well as many others on here. Turns out its simpler than this - I didn't realise that I also had an antispyware software running. When I uninstalled it and restarted my pc the problem was fixed! Et voila!

 

[DreXor akaRobert]

Another note with the REGEDIT option, there's one more location that defender verifies before it will load :

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\UFH\SHC

it will have 0 & 1 assigned for malware and 2 & 3 for antivirus, if those are present it'll still open system32 on action center.

 

[Senile Otaku]

I just wanted to add my 2 cents to this - I spent hours trying to fix this - been through the regedit solution as well as many others on here. Turns out its simpler than this - I didn't realise that I also had an antispyware software running. When I uninstalled it and restarted my pc the problem was fixed! Et voila!

SERIOUSLY????? Microsoft is ***THAT**** stupid??? Well, actually they are, so I shouldn't be surprised. I absolutely am NOT uninstalling SpyBot.