Windows Device Security doesn't work after Windows 11 reset

Question

Hello to Windows community support,

I have an issue with Windows Device Security on a Windows 11 build from the Windows insider program after I did a Windows reset : the Windows Device Security doesn't work anymore, and when I click on "Virus and Threat Protection", a page displays saying "Page not available".

Please note this issue is not typical of the Windows insider program as it happened months ago, when I did another reset of my Windows, and the same problem occurred while my PC was running a standard Windows 11 build.

The issue I am facing is the one described in this page, but none of the suggested solutions works - in fact the Windows Security App doesn't even appear on my app menu. https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/standard-hardware-security-not-supported.html

For more information, the issue was logged as ticket #7032126362 (and I can confirm the issue is NOT resolved, unfortunately).

Can you please help ?

Cheers

Answer 1

Hi fg2001,

Thanks again for getting back to me, very much appreciated!

So, I have checked the Windows security versions : these are similar to those on your screenshot, except that the last digits for the anti-spyware and antivirus are different.

As to my question about the SecurityHealthSetup.exe and what it displays, it results from the fact that when I executed the program, the publisher is unknown - I was assuming it would be Microsoft Corp ?

Wondering if this is not sort of a security risk.

1. The antivirus antispyware is higher because you took the screen shot after you got another update. If you try again later, it will be even higher.
2. The message you got is the normal one when you open a .exe with administrator. It probably says unknow publisher because you copied it from another PC.

I think you are fine and now you have the latest updates of security.

If you check C:\Windows\System32\SecurityHelath folder the updates should be now in there, probably none of the older ones that I have, just 2311 folder and the SecurityHealthSetup.exe. 😎

Cheers.

Answer 2

You haven't install any 3rd party anti-virus apps, just thought I would check.

In PowerShell Admin try the following.

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.SecHealthUI | Reset-AppxPackage

If your Windows install is OK other than the security issue the above code will re-install Windows security.

Hopefully FG2001 will read this as I know he will know where all these files are kept if you want to know more about this.

Another tool I use is DISM in PowerShell Admin

DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

@BryceSor,

Some files are in here:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform

All I know is where KB5007651 is installing the updates, the latest one is Version1.0.2311.17002-0 and the SecurityHealthSetup.exe both received on Jan 4, 2024.

MS is not distributing the updates to all users at the same time, it may take weeks on some machines.

What I did to get the same updates on other machines, I just copied the folder below with all contents and the latest SecurityHealthSetup.exe

to a Temp folder on the other machines and right click on the SecurityHealthSetup.exe and run as Administrator.

That installs the updates. It may take a few minutes to show up in the System information.

After that I reboot to get the updates to take effect.

The Windows Security Application Version: 1000.25992.0.9000 and Windows Security Service Version: 1.0.2311.17002-0

are the latest versions which fixed the problem of the System Tray security icon Right Click context menu that was missing for over 6 months.

Right Click context menu working again. 👍

Answer 3

Hi Bryce,

Thanks for your message.

Yes, my PC supports Windows 11 : I mentioned that Device Security was working before the Windows reset.

The sfc scan worked fine, no file integrity issue.

Back to the issue itself, I remember having, in the previous instance when it did occur, to have found that a number of Windows system or configuration files related to security were missing for some reason on my Windows 11, while on another exactly similar laptop, these security files were present on C. I tried to find that information on Windows Learn and with Windows Copilot (see attached screenshot).

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/operating-system-security/system-security/windows-defender-security-center/wdsc-device-security

If this information is available in Windows documentation, I would be able to check if those specific files are - again - missing on my computer after the reset and we may have then underpinned the root-cause.

Many thanks,

Answer 4

Hi Alex,

Try sfc /scannow in powershell admin

Type winver in search and post back the build you are on.

Does your hardware support Windows 11?