Window defender setting gone missing

Question

I tried to change window activation key and then window defender setting gone missing, I tried to change back to OEM keys and window license is back to non-organization key but window defender is still not fixed. Thanks for help, sorry my English.

Answer 1

This message box

Answer 2

Already tried sfc/scannow cmd, and DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth, nothing fix, so i guess it is something to do with group policy , but i cant find group policy in search box.

Answer 3

i already tried window defender offline scanning from cmd box earlier , so i am sure now that the only problem is window defender setting missing, it is showing "U need IT rights to access this " box in window defender.

Answer 4

The "Organization" message always means that someone has activated Windows with a Volume License Key meant only for business or organizations that activate a large number of PC's, which need to check in with the organization's server regularly to reactivate or they expire.

Sometimes this is done by shops or others reinstalling Windows - unnecessarily because the PC either came with a Windows Product Key embedded in the BIOS/UEFI firmware, or it was already activated by free Upgrade or a retail Product Key, and would have reactivated after a reinstall had they given it the chance and not interrupted this by installing the illegal key. It is also a way pirates illegally Upgrade to Pro version.

If you know the present version of Windows originally was legitimately activated then to fix the problem what I would do is go offline to remove the Volume License key and then restore the Generic Product Key that is used to activate with the Digital License issued by Upgrade or Factory install, the factory key embedded in the UEFI/BIOS firmware chip, or the retail key you used. Follow these steps to do this:

1. Go offline by opening Action center at the right end of Task Bar, then clicking on Airplane mode to turn off internet.
2. Next type CMD in Start Search, right click to Run as Administrator, then right click to copy and paste this command in and press Enter: slmgr -upk
3. Restart PC and then insert Generic Product Key for the licensed and installed version from here: http://winaero.com/blog/generic-key-to-install-...

This sets everything back to default so that if there is a Digital License issued during a proper Upgrade it should reactivate. If not we will need to try something else:

4. If it doesn't activate after going online and you originally had factory installed Windows, read the Product Key embedded in the UEFI firmware chip at the factory by running ProducKey: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/produkey-x64.zip, copy and paste the OEM-BIOS key (only) into Settings> Update & Security > Activation.

An embedded Product Key is almost always for Home version, so if it's presently Pro version you can try reinstalling Home version to see if it will activate. Here is a workaround to downgrade Pro to Home: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for.... Try the embedded key and then try the Generic Home key linked in Step 3.

5. If nothing else works you may need to buy a Home license - always buy from a major retailer who back all sales or directly from Microsoft here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/windows-10-ho...
6. If you were sold a Volume license product key or the PC came from seller activated with one, then it is piracy when someone resells Windows with no way to legally activate it. You can report this to Microsoft here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/howtotell/cfr/r.... In the past when victims cooperated with an investigation they would sometimes give them a free copy as thanks.

You can also contact the seller and let him/her know you are taking these actions and that they need to make the activation good. Many will comply rather than risk investigation or prosecution.

7. For further assistance restoring the original legal activation you can contact Microsoft Support phone or chat options here: https://partner.support.services.microsoft.com/...

I hope having all possible options helps.

Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 5

Hi Saisai. I'm Greg, awarded MVP for eleven years, Volunteer Moderator, and Independent Advisor here to help you until this is resolved.

I'll deal with Defender first since it's Security, then the Volume LIcense Key in the next post:

When Defender disappears we first need to check for infection by the most thorough methods, then for damaged System Files, and finally with known fixes for Defender. Please follow all steps in order. I am standing by to help you.

1. Download, install and run a full scan with the most powerful on-demand free scanner Malwarebytes:

https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/.

In the Malwarebytes Settings > Security tab set it to include scanning for Rootkits.

If necessary run it in Safe Mode with Networking, or Safe Mode accessed by one of these methods: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf...

Clean up anything found, restart PC and then run again until it comes up clean.

2. Then download, install and run a full scan with AdwCleaner:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcle... Remove whatever it finds.

Check for any remainders in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, and also in each of your browser's Extensions, Home Page settings, Search service or Add-On's as shown here: https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001411.htm

3. Then check for damaged System files by running System File Checker from Step 10 in this checklist:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki....

4. Now type Security in Search box, open Windows Security to see what the Status of Defender and other protections are now.
5. If Defender is still broken, try these fixes next:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/for...

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/unable-to-turn-on...

6. Check in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features that no other antivirus' are installed and if so uninstall them now. You may also need to run a special Uninstaller tool for any previously installed Antivirus from here: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/an...
7. If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open tool and choose to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, is the most stable method to advance to the latest version, and solves most problems. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m... .

If you want to keep Malwarebytes as an on-demand scanner then you can turn off its Real Time trial version in it's Settings > Account Details tab.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.