You have another antivirus product installed and running if the options are greyed out here. In my case, it is showing as Stopped because I am using Malwarebytes while Microsoft Defender is set to periodic scans instead of real-time. Save changes and reboot to check again if the Windows/Microsoft Defender is turned on or off automatically. If not, click on the Start button below it to start it. Step 3: Startup type should be set to Automatic and Service status should be Running. Step 2: Find and double-click on Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service on the list. Step 1: Search for and open Services from the Start menu with admin rights.
In your case, it could be set incorrectly, requiring manual intervention. Ideally, Microsoft Defender Service should be configured to run automatically when the computer is booted. The default setting is Not configured, so try that too if it is set to Disabled. Step 3: Click on Enabled here and save all settings.
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirusĭouble-click on Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus file to open it. Step 2: Drill down to the folder structure below. Step 1: Search for and open Group Policy Editor from the Start menu. GPE is a powerful app that allows access to system-level files and settings. Please take a backup or create a restore point before proceeding.
This particular program is available on Windows Pro and Enterprise editions only. Step 2: Select Normal Startup under the General tab and save settings in the pop-up that follows. Step 1: Press Windows key+R to launch the Run prompt and type msconfig before hitting Enter. sfc /scannowĪnd DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth 4. Step 2: Give the commands below, one at a time, and wait for it to run. You may also use PowerShell, which is more advanced. Step 1: Search for and open Command Prompt from the Start menu with administrator rights. The System File Checker or SFC scan will find and repair corrupt or missing system and registry files crucial for running core apps like Defender. Check if you can turn it on manually under the ‘Virus & threat protection’ heading. Some apps like Malwarebytes allow both the apps to run simultaneously. Uninstall it if you want to use Defender.
Kind of unnecessary to run two antivirus apps on the same machine, at the same time.
The error code for the same is 577, but you may or may not witness it. Using a third-party antivirus app will turn off Microsoft Defender automatically. Check again in the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc). You may have been searching for the wrong program, thinking it is not running. As noted earlier, Windows Defender was renamed and is now part of Windows Security.
However, they contain important background information about the topic. I am assuming that you have already tried checking for updates and rebooted your computer once before coming here. Microsoft probably already knows everything you do on Windows. After all, antivirus apps have system-level access. It is better to let Microsoft snoop on you rather than some other company. We will help you troubleshoot and fix the issue in this guide. I suggest you stick with Microsoft Defender. It makes little sense to download/buy a third-party antivirus app when the default one is solid and does the job.