Windows Defender

Question

Hey everyone, i downloaded Malwarebytes and then i deleted it, and virus and threat protection is not working anymore its stuck on "threat service has stopped restart now" . ?

any suggestions? i have windows 11

Answer 1

Hey Greg how can i run a repair install?

Answer 2

Is Malwarebytes Real Time protection turned off on it's front control panel?

Was there ever another antivirus installed that needs it's uninstaller run to get it all out, so Defender will turn on?

http://kb.eset.com/esetkb/index?page=content&am...

If nothing else works run a Repair Install which has always reinstalled Defender if nothing else does.

Answer 3

Hi zakaziz,

If the previous suggestions do not restore the "Threat Service" that needs to be restarted,

hold off on replacing your complete Operating System, until you consider doing this.

First, determine which one of the Defender services needs to be restarted. Copy this cmdlet.....

Get-service -name "WinDefend", "SecurityHealthService", "wscsvc", "mpssvc" | Format-Table -auto

Open (Windows PowerShell (Admin)) by right clicking "start", and select it from the list. Right-click

on the System32 cursor, and the cmdlet that you copied above, will be populated on the screen.

If it doesn't start automatically, hit <enter>.

This command describes the status of the services that are required for Defender to function.

All four of the services should be running. If any is not running, please respond with that info.

The resolution for each service is different. I need the name of the service in order to assist.

Occasionally, you can get the message, that a Threat Service has stopped, but all four of these

services will be running. That can indicate that there is a Registry key that has been corrupted.

Search for regedit and choose "Run as Administrator". On the Registry Editor screen navigate...

Hkey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows Defender.

Select Windows Defender and compare your Key to this. In particular IsServiceRunning.

Some unknown entity sometimes eliminates this sub-key. Without it, Defender thinks that the

services are not running, and your failure is indicated. Please reply if this is your case.

The suggestions that were suggested before, will probably eliminate the entity that caused this,

but may not restore what was changed.

Glen

Answer 4

Hello Greg i tried the methods, and the scans everything seems fine. but the defender is still not turning on for some reason, it seems something is blocking it from running.

Answer 5

Hi Zakasis. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

Ironically it's Malwarebytes free on-demand that you should first rely on to make sure malware has not taken out Defender. So I'd reinstall it and run a full scan, after enabling Root Kit scanning in Scan Settings.

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

Then download, install and run a full scan with AdwCleaner:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcle...
Remove whatever it finds.

Check for anything found but is still left over in Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, and C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files(86) to uninstall or delete them. I can guide you how to do this if there are problems.

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
to disable anything you didn't add yourself and are sure you need. Ask back if in doubt.

Then check for damaged System files by running System File Checker/DISM in WIndows 11:
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/use-system-file-c...

Now type Security in Search, open Security Center and check if all functions are working. If Defender is still not working try these fixes next:

https://thegeekpage.com/windows-defender-wont-s...

https://www.kapilarya.com/fix-windows-defender-...

https://www.digitbin.com/fix-windows-defender-n...

https://www.technipages.com/fix-windows-11-cann...

https://windowsreport.com/windows-defender-not-... (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro, PC Repair Tool and Reimage ads)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR0W1ltf3ic

If that doesn't fix it then you can do a Windows 11 Repair Upgrade which reinstalls Windows while saving your files and apps in place, brings it up to the latest version by the most stable method, takes about an hour and resolves most problems: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/repair-install-wi...

If you want to keep Malwarebytes as an on-demand scanner then you can turn off its Real Time trial version using the slider buttons on it's front panel. I recommend it as the #1 tool for your toolbox. For best WIndows performance, use built-in Defender which gives adequate real-time protection.

Feel free to ask back any questions. Please report back results for all steps given so I know what else to suggest if necessary.

______________________________________________

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.