Windows Defender only partially enabled

Question

After migration from windows 7 to windows 10, my PC ended up with Microsoft Security Essentials transferred, and Windows Defender apparently turned off.

A Microsoft answer tech was able to force uninstall Security Essentials, and noted that Windows Defender seemed to be on, but if I click on the 'use windows defender' button in the security tab, I get the message:

I would appreciate any advice on how to get Windows defender operating properly. I have looked at:

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3569-windows-defender-real-time-protection-turn-off-windows-10-a.html

But unfortunately none of the 4 options there seems to fix the problem.

Answer 1

Here is the solution to those having problems with Microsoft Security Essentials not being removed prior to Windows 10 upgrade and then being left with it still running after the upgrade.

Open File Explorer

Browse to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\

Locate the file Setup.exe, right click on it and choose properties

Click on the Compatibility tab

At the bottom of the tab click 'Change Settings for all users'

On the next screen check the box for 'Run this program in compatibility mode for:' and choose Windows 7

Click OK

Click OK

From the taskbar search box type cmd.exe and right click and choose 'Run As Administrator'

This will open an elevated command prompt as Administrator

In the command prompt window copy/paste or type the following:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\setup.exe /x /disableoslimit

Choose to Uninstall

Once this has finished, reboot and Microsoft Security Essentials will be gone and Windows Defender should be running correctly.

Answer 2

This is what worked for me. MsiExec.exe /X{2AA3C13E-0531-41B8-AE48-AE28C940A809}

Answer 3

I opened regedit, navigated to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall, and found the entry for Microsoft Security Essentials. I then replaced the UUID from the command I wrote with the one I found in there that matched. I don't recommend messing with the registry, as it can cause serious issues if any mistakes are made.

Answer 4

PS: Do you have any other real-time security product installed? If so, you need to uninstall it. See: List of anti-malware product removal tools

Also read and try everything here: Problems starting Windows Defender in Windows 8/8.1

That wiki should also apply to Windows 10.

Answer 5

In Windows 10 you can turn off Windows Defender real-time protection, but it will only be temporary. Windows will automatically turn real-time protection back on if it's off for a while.

Try: Windows Defender - Turn On or Off in Windows 10

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Do you know how the Microsoft answer tech was able to force uninstall Security Essentials?

Cheers,

J