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Why is "Scan with Windows Defender" blocked by IT on a personal computer?

Anonymous
2018-08-18T02:35:37+00:00

Your IT administrator has limited access to some areas of this app,and the item you tried to access is not available . Contact IT helpdesk for more information. This is the message I get when I try to scan a drive using windows defender (right click and scan using windows defender option).

The only thing that changed between it working and not was the April 2018 update. This is my own computer and I am the system administrator.

I do have periodic scanning turned on. 

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-08-18T04:38:50+00:00

    Hi Andrew,

    One thing that you might check. Look to see if "Security Center Service" is running.

    If not restart it. It should be set for Automatic (Delayed Start.)

    Access it by clicking start, and type "services",   click on "services",  then scroll

    down to Security Center.

    There is a Registry tweak that I have seen described before, that might help.

    If you are comfortable navigating through the Registry, Then use "Regedit"

    to find the following key and check for a setting in it.

    Hkey_Local_Machine >System >CurrentControlSet >Services >SecurityHealthService.

    Click on SecurityHealthService and observe the DWord value for "Start"in the right pane.

    If it is set for (4), change it to (2). To do this, right click "Start", click "Modify", then type

    2 and the highlighted 4 will change. Click OK and then back out of the Registry.

    Restart. And try Windows Defender again.

    If none of this gives you any relief, you might want to try a Repair Upgrade.

    That installs the latest ISO (OS) onto your PC, but allows you to keep your Files and APPS.

    Respond if you think that is something you want to try.  This system will not accept my

    attempt to insert a link to the download site right now.

    Regards,  Glen

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-08-18T19:11:24+00:00

    Ok I understand, you can also execute these steps, which are used to correct problems with Windows.

    Open Start, type: CMD

    Right click CMD

    Click Run as administrator

    Type in at the prompt OR Copy and Paste these one at a time : (Hit enter after each)

    Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

    Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

    Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

    Also run the System File Checker utility:

    Open Start, type: CMD

    Right click CMD

    Click Run as administrator

    At the Command Prompt, type: sfc /SCANNOW

    This will check for any integrity violations

    Restart your system

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  2. Reza-Ameri 45,811 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2018-12-29T20:24:12+00:00

    This question has been answered and this is old question and therefore will be locked.

    If you face similar issue, first look into answer and replies and if problem persist, open start and search for feedback and open Feedback Hub app and report this issue.

    If you want to ask question, post a new one.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2018-08-18T23:15:51+00:00

    Unfortunately a repair upgrade didn't work either.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-08-18T03:04:17+00:00

    Hi, AndrewFerrell

    It may be that your computer has been infected by a virus. Start the system in safe mode.

    1. Restart the computer while holding the Shift key on the keyboard
    2. Choose the following options: Troubleshooting, Advanced options, Startup settings, Restart
    3. Once the computer has restarted, press the 4 key on the keyboard (Enable safe mode).
    4. Log in to your administrative account-

    I suggest you use Windows Defender Offline and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware:

    1. Press the Windows + I keys. Settings will open
    2. Click on Update and security
    3. Click on Windows Defender. In the right pane look for Windows Defender Offline and click on Take the exam offline. The computer will reboot and begin the scan for threats (viruses, Trojans, etc ...). When the exam is finished the team will restart again.

    You can also use: malwarebytes.com (free)

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