Jus realize i'm not able to access windos virus and threat protection

Question

I recently just realize that I'm not able to access window's virus and threat protection. Reason could be due to the download of third party virus scanning service (a foolish mistake that I had done). Currently, I tried to acces virus and threat protection it pop open a message saying I don have access to it (as shown in the image).

Moved from: Microsoft Security | Microsoft Defender | Microsoft Defender for Identity

Answer 1

If you're unable to access Windows Virus and Threat Protection after installing a third-party antivirus, it's likely that the third-party software has disabled Microsoft Defender Antivirus. Here are some steps you can take to resolve the issue:

1. Uninstall the Third-Party Antivirus: Go to Start > Settings > Apps and uninstall the third-party antivirus software. After uninstalling, restart your computer.
2. Check Windows Defender Status: After restarting, check if Microsoft Defender Antivirus is enabled. You can do this by going to Start > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection. Ensure that the service is running.
3. Restart Windows Defender Service: If you still can't access it, you may need to restart the Windows Defender service:
   • Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
   • Find Windows Defender Antivirus Service, right-click it, and select Start. If it’s already running, you can try stopping and then starting it again.
4. Remove Residual Files: Sometimes, third-party antivirus programs leave behind files that can interfere with Windows Defender. You may need to use a cleanup utility specific to the antivirus you uninstalled to ensure all components are removed.
5. Check for Updates: Make sure your Windows is up to date, as updates can fix issues with Windows Defender. Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.

If you continue to experience issues, you may want to consult Microsoft Support for further assistance.

---

References:

• Troubleshoot Windows Defender or Endpoint Protection client
• Ensure Microsoft Defender Antivirus is enabled in the Windows Security app

Answer 2

Hi,

The third-party antivirus software might be blocking Windows Defender. Have you already uninstalled the third-party antivirus software? Is this your personal computer? Are you using Windows 10 or 11?

1. Please check if you have any third-party antivirus software installed on your computer, such as AdwCleaner, Avast, or similar applications. If you do, uninstall them completely, restart your computer, and then check if the issue is resolved.
2. Go to Windows Settings > Accounts > Work or school account access and check if there is an organization attached. If there is, disconnect it and try again.
3. Please download this file: https://catalog.s.download.windowsupdate.com/c/msdownload/update/software/defu/2024/02/securityhealthsetup_e16941e14861a6d24750ecdf05c548189b33182a.exe

Once downloaded, right-click and run as administrator.

Then check the Windows Security page to see if it works.

If not, restart your computer and check again.

4. Please try scanning your computer using Microsoft Safety Scanner and check if you can open Windows Security afterward: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/safety-scanner-download?view=o365-worldwide
5. Right-click your Start Menu and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin)

Copy and paste the command below and hit Enter:

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

Let the process finish, then restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.