Windows 7: How can I get Windows Security Center Service to start?

I have Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit OS. In the "Action Center" in the "Security" section, it shows the following:

• Windows Security Center Service (Important)
• The windows security center service is turned off
• "Turn On Now" box (tab)

When I click on the "turn on now" box, another box displays stating the following:

• The Windows Security Center service can't be started
• "Close" box (tab)

Does anyone know how I can get this to work? Any help is greatly appreciated.

* See if this helps...

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2519899

* Any error messages?

* Just in case Malware etc is involved...

Please download the free version of Malwarebytes.
Update it immediately.
Do a full system scan
Let us know the results at the end.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/products

Did you also try starting it by selecting it in the Services Window via the Services.msc route? Mine is on automaic.

@ JMH and Wanchoo...

When clicking on the Microsoft Support link, I followed the instructions (using services.msc) but found I do not have Security Center service in the list of services to be able to start automatically. There is a Security Accounts Manager in the list and it is set to automatic, but I'm not sure if that has anything to do with this. I have also ran Malwarebytes as well as Microsoft Security Essentials and both have turned up nothing. When trying to turn on Windows Security Center Service I do not get any errors, just a box stating it cannot be started. Would you happen to know if uninstalling and reinstalling Microsoft Security Essentials would help this problem or is it a different program for the Security Center?

P.S. - Thank you for your replies.

Searched with Google and found the following.

"This REG fix reinstates the missing Security Center service.
http://www.winhelponline.com/temp/w7-wscsvc.zip
Download/Unzip/Run the REG file, and restart Windows."

You should be able to get the service back.

Did this help?

Where did you get Windows 7? How is it activated?

What changes or mods to the OS have been made, or tweaks have been applied beyond normal System settings?

Run Malwarebytes Full Scan as suggested, in Safe Mode if necessary.

Then run SFC -SCANNOW Command If the service doesn't reappear try Wanchoo's fix.

As a last resort before reinstall try a Repair Install

Please fill in your System specs or at least give your computer make/model if Windows 7 is preinstalled. You may need to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

@ Wanchoo...

I tried your suggestion and it apparently fixed the problem, but now there's another one. The Windows Security Center Service (Important) is no longer listed in the security area, but now it states the following:

• Network Firewall (Important)
• Windows firewall is turned off or set up incorrectly
• "Turn On Now" box (tab)

When I click the "turn on now" tab, it states the following:

• Action center can't turn on Windows Firewall
• Turn on Windows Firewall manually
• "Close" box (tab)

When I click on "turn on Windows Firewall manually," it states the following:

• Update your firewall settings
• Windows firewall is not using the recommended settings to protect your computer
• "Use Recommended Settings" box (tab)

When I click on the "use recommended settings" tab it states the following:

• Windows firewall can't change some of your settings.
• Error code 0x80070424
• "OK" box (tab)

So, now it appears my firewall is disabled. Any suggestions on how to fix that? If its not one thing its another huh?

@ Gregrocker...

Windows 7 was installed on the laptop when I purchased it aprox. 3 years ago. Sorry, I don't know what you mean by, "how is it activated." No changes have been made to the OS other than updates being installed when Windows Update prompts to. I ran the Malwarebytes full scan and it shows nothing wrong. The sfc/scannow shows nothing wrong either, it states the following:

• Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations

I included the specs like you mentioned. The one's with ? for an answer is because I do not know how to access that info. Thank you for your reply.

I would consider running a Repair Install using the latest installer provided in the Clean Reinstall link below, as a last resort before running Factory Recovery or Clean Reinstalling.

HP Recover Windows 7 Operating System Using HP Recovery - HP Customer Care
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

However running Factory Recovery can result in these same kinds of issues since HP's include the worst load of crapware and useless factory utilties which have better versions built into Windows 7. So I would strongly consider a Clean Reinstall with our help as it is a specialty of these forums.

@ Gregrocker...

Just to make sure I understand you correctly...you suggest I do the "Clean Reinstall-Factory OEM Windows 7" or the "HP Recover Windows 7 Operating System Using HP Recovery-HP Customer Care?" Just want to make sure I click on the right link. Sorry if I sound oblivious, but I kinda am.