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Windows Defender - Will NOT Update - Once Again

Anonymous
2015-10-23T16:14:49+00:00

Good morning,

Here we go again.

The installation of W10 on the 1^st^ day it was available has proved to be fraught with trouble. Approximately one week after installation the following apps Mail, Defender and previously loaded games would not function. After four weeks of back and forth through phone and technical support a L2 support person was able to return function to the above apps.

Unfortunately, much of the above has surfaced once again with the exception of the W10 Mail which still functions. Most worrisome is the inability of Windows Defender to update virus and spyware definitions. This has been taking place for the last week. Please note the following message has been generated each time after the searching function has run for just short of 2 hourse each time the update button was clicked.

Virus and spyware definitions couldn’t be updated

This app couldn’t check for virus and spyware definition updates. Check your internet or network connections and try again.

Check Help for more information about this problem.

Support Information                    Help          Close

Error Code 0x80004004

Error description: The definition updates couldn’t be installed. Please try again later.

Have done all the troubleshooting pathways suggested previously to no avail including doing the troubleshooting run which gave nothing.

How can the function of Windows Defender be restored without L2 technical support because this person went places never seen on a computer?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-10-23T16:39:05+00:00

    I have spent hours today trying to update Windows Defender as I was very concerned after hearing the Talk Talk news. I am also getting the same error description "The definition updates could not be installed. Please try again later".

    Is my computer still safe, I also use Malwarebytes which updated fine?

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-12-25T15:05:23+00:00

    Your technician worked for several hours on this problem. I'm very grateful for her efforts. I'm now trying to figure out what my Microsoft account number and outlook express passwords are so I can access the one drive. When I get some of these problems worked out, I'll be a happy camper. I do miss the old Media player as the Groove Music is so much more complicated. I don't see any advantage in all the extra labor it takes to use it

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-12-24T10:42:25+00:00

    Hello,

    Let us know few things to assist you in this regard.

    Is it after Windows 10 Major update or after upgrading from other version?

    Is it failing through Windows Update or from Windows Defender?

    Did you get any error message apart from the error code?

    Give us more information to guide you accordingly.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-12-17T03:13:05+00:00

    Windows defender will not update virus and spyware and hasn't since installing windows 10. Can someone fill me in in simple step by step instructions. The latest error code was 0x80004004

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  5. Anonymous
    2015-10-23T18:35:30+00:00

    That error code means “Operation Aborted” so it really doesn’t help diagnose what’s wrong.

    And you cannot manually update Windows Defender?  

    http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/definitions/adl.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0

    What definitions versions are on your computer? Windows Defender should automatically update appx every 24 hours if you have Windows Automatic Updates enabled. 

    Have you compared the definitions version with what is listed here? http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/definitions/whatsnew.aspx

    This may be an issue with Windows Updates.  Unfortunately MS has yet to provide a specific Windows Update Troubleshooter “Fix it” for Windows 10.  You might try the following and see if this helps: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/971058

    The message you are receiving is also seen when there is a conflict with Windows Defender and another security program.

    Think back to whatever antimalware programs were on the computer from the time it brand new until you upgraded to Win 10.  Run the appropriate software removal tools from this list and be sure you reboot after running each tool. **List of anti-malware product removal tools**

    Windows Defender should then be be enabled and should be updating as it should.

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/getstarted-protect-your-pc

    http://www.howtogeek.com/220232/how-to-use-the-built-in-windows-defender-antivirus-on-windows-10/  

    Configure Windows Defender in Windows 8, 8.1 and 10 

    If you would prefer to install a third party antimalware program (doing so should disable Windws Defender) there are a number of good alternatives – paid and free solutions.  Take your pick.

    See the following compliments of quietman7 MS MVP: **Choosing an Anti-Virus Program**

    http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r29066288-2014-AV-Poll

    Is Windows Defender The Best For Windows 10?  Good article but ignore the ads.

    Tips To Protect Your PC

    Good luck…

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