Unable to change any settings in "Windows Security"

Hi and thanks for reaching out. My name is Bernard. I'm a Microsoft Windows expert and a Microsoft Windows fan like you. I'll be happy to help you out today.

You need to get back the default services of Windows defender, you can do it here:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/57567-resto...

Look for Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection and

Windows Defender Firewall

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Method 2. Reinstall Windows Defender

Open registry, then go to: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

Then delete Windows Defender folder, then restart the PC and check it again.

If none will work from the above solution I suggest to do an in-place upgrade wherein it will upgrade the device to the latest version and repair all issues without deleting any files.

Note: before doing this make sure to create a restore point: https://support.microsoft.com/en-hk/help/402753...

1. go to this link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...
2. Select Download tool, and select Run. You need to be an administrator to run this tool.
3. On the License terms page, if you accept the license terms, select Accept.
4. On the What do you want to do? page, select Upgrade this PC now, and then select Next.
5. After downloading and installing, it should fix the issue.

Reference: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

Note: if you receive error: “This Pc can’t be upgrade, follow the steps below”

Method 1. Go to C:$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Panther then delete the file name compatscancache.dat

Then try again or reboot the PC first then try again.

You might not see the folder as it is hidden, make sure to show hidden files first.

Let me know how does it goes and I hope that helps.

Bernard

Independent Advisor

Thanks for the reply Greg. 

As previously mentioned, I have tried most of these already.

I tried them again in the order that you suggested and still am not able to make any changes to anything in any part of Windows Security Center.

I would like to do Step 7 which is a repair install, but it won't let me unless I remove all of my personal files because it says that "Your files, apps, and settings can't be kept because your current version of Windows might be installed in an unsupported directory or you're trying to install an older version of Windows."

Does anyone have a workaround to be able to "Upgrade Now" without having to delete all files?

Sorry, this doesn't work either.

As I said in the original post, I can't Add an account it seems for the same reasons that nothing else works.

I click Add and nothing happens. I have tried in regular boot mode and Safe Mode.

I got you another thing we can do is to create new user and use it permanently if that works.

Create Local account:

Press Windows key + R then type in Netplwiz click ok

Click add (if add is greyed out check User must enter a username and password to use this computer)

Click Sign in without a Microsoft account

Click local account

Fill up then finish

After that Open Netplwiz again

Click the account you created

Click Properties> Group Membership and click Administrator click apply and ok

Login to another user and check.

Thank you for the advice.

Method 1 didnt work.

Method 2 didnt work.

I have attempted an in-place update to Windows already which I have been unsuccessful with. I tried both with "Upgrade this PC" and the ISO method. Both times, it only will let me do a complete reinstall with keeping nothing on my current system because it says that "Your files, apps, and settings can't be kept because your current version of Windows might be installed in an unsupported directory or you're trying to install an older version of Windows."