If you’re having trouble getting Windows Defender to open or work properly on your Windows 10 PC, you’re not alone. Many users have reported issues with the built-in antivirus software, ranging from the Windows Security app not opening at all to scans failing to complete. Fortunately, there are several troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the problem and get Windows Defender up and running again.
One of the most common reasons for Windows Defender not working is the presence of a third-party antivirus program. While you can run some antimalware tools alongside Windows Defender, most full antivirus suites will interfere with its operation. To fix this, uninstall any third-party antivirus software you have installed:
After uninstalling the conflicting software, restart your PC and try opening Windows Defender again. It should now function properly without interference from other antivirus tools.
If you’ve never had a third-party antivirus but Windows Defender still isn’t working, resetting the Windows Security app may help resolve the issue. This will clear any corrupted data or settings that could be causing problems:
After resetting the app, open Windows Defender again and see if it’s working properly. If you still have issues, move on to the next troubleshooting step.
If you’re running Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can use the Local Group Policy Editor to ensure Windows Defender isn’t being prevented from running:
This will allow Windows Defender to run without being blocked by the Group Policy Editor. If you’re on Windows 10 Home, you can instead modify the registry to achieve the same result.
For users on Windows 10 Home who can’t use the Local Group Policy Editor, modifying the registry is an alternative method to enable Windows Defender:
This will ensure Windows Defender is no longer being prevented from running by the registry settings.
If you suspect that corrupted system files are causing issues with Windows Defender, you can try running a system scan and DISM repair to fix them:
sfc /scannow DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
The sfc (System File Checker) command will scan for and repair corrupted system files, while DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) will download and install a fresh copy of the Windows image. This should resolve any file-related issues preventing Windows Defender from working properly.
Bugs in your Windows 10 installation can sometimes cause problems with Windows Defender. Keeping your operating system up to date with the latest patches and security updates can help resolve these issues:
After updating, open Windows Defender again and see if it’s working. If you continue to have problems, there may be a more serious underlying issue that requires further troubleshooting.
If you suspect that a third-party program or service is interfering with Windows Defender, you can try performing a clean boot to isolate the problem:
After booting into a clean environment with only essential services running, try opening Windows Defender again. If it works, you know the problem is being caused by a third-party program or service. You can then systematically re-enable services and startup items to identify the culprit.
If none of these troubleshooting steps resolve the issue, there may be a more serious problem with your Windows 10 installation that requires further diagnosis or even a clean reinstall. However, for most users, one of the methods above should get Windows Defender working again so you can protect your PC from malware and other threats.
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