Solved Windows Security Center service cannot be started

background:

... Since you are not sure what may have changed this setting, I would recommend to do a full scan of your system with Malwarebytes free just to be safe and help make sure that your system is clean.

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I took your advice and ran it. Nothing detected. I decided to also do a full scan with MS Security Essentials and there were some items detected. Thnx!


Issue : Oh btw, as I was navigating the Control Panel after all this I happened across the 'Action Center' and noticed that 'Windows Security Center Service' is turned off. I cliked on the 'Turn On Now' button and got a message that 'the Windows Security Center service cannot be started'. First, I don't know what this is. Could it be automatically disabled because I am using the Malwatebytes and MS Security Essentials? If not, do I have another problem? Other than these pesky little issues my system has been running fine (almost 24/7 since fall 2009). fwiw, my UAC is set at the highest setting.

Run SFC -SCANNOW Command.

Type services.msc in Start Search box, look at the dependencies tab for that service and make sure those Services are all set to Automatic and started, then try to start Security Center again. If this fails, google any error messages text to see how others have solved the failure.

gregrocker said:

Run SFC -SCANNOW Command.

Type services.msc in Start Search box, look at the dependencies tab for that service and make sure those Services are all set to Automatic and started, then try to start Security Center again. If this fails, google any error messages text to see how others have solved the failure.

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OK, thnx - I will try that. What is this 'service'? Is it critical? As I mentioned, I have not had any security problems since I brought the machine home.

FYI I found this :
The WSCSVC (Windows Security Center) service monitors and reports security health settings on the computer. The health settings include firewall (on/off), antivirus (on/off/out of date), antispyware (on/off/out of date), Windows Update (automatically/manually download and install updates), User Account Control (on/off), and Internet settings (recommended/not recommended). The service provides COM APIs for independent software vendors to register and record the state of their products to the Security Center service. The Action Center (AC) UI uses the service to provide systray alerts and a graphical view of the security health states in the AC control panel. Network Access Protection (NAP) uses the service to report the security health states of clients to the NAP Network Policy Server to make network quarantine decisions. The service also has a public API that allows external consumers to programmatically retrieve the aggregated security health state of the system.

I found this : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2519899"

In step 3 of the above article the 'Security Center', as per the provided image, does not appear in my services list. I believe everything explained about this 'service' is functioning. I get the standard update notifications for windows and other installed s/w, firewall, antivirus, uac, etc. and all report your typical warnings and notifications. Looks like I have a mystery on my hands.

Where did you get Win7? How is it activated?

You need Security Service for important functions, unless your OS has been modified somehow.

What was the result of SFC Scannow?

Have you run SFC /SCANNOW as requested by GregRocker? Yes/No.
SFC -SCANNOW Command.

After that, carry out the advice given here:
Error message:

Do following please and tell me if you even have the Security Center Service?
WIN | type SERVICES.MSC | ENTER
scroll down to Security Center Service | rightclick and choose Properties

the correct settings are given to you in the link I gave in my previous post.

WIN= key with the Microsoft logo

I left out this pic showing you what you should see in services.msc

karlsnooks said:

Do following please and tell me if you even have the Security Center Service?
WIN | type SERVICES.MSC | ENTER
scroll down to Security Center Service | rightclick and choose Properties

the correct settings are given to you in the link I gave in my previous post.

WIN= key with the Microsoft logo

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as stated in post#4, it is not in the list. Also, in your 'error message' link was information that stated in Windows 7 the Windows Security Center service has been replaced by the 'Action Center'. hmmmmm .... wtf?

You do not have the Security Center service as below?

Yes, Action Center is used now in Windows 7 instead of the Security Center as in Vista, but you should still have this service in Windows 7.

Brink said:

You do not have the Security Center service as below?

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correct.

In that case, you could do either a system restore using a restore point (if available) dated before it was deleted, or do a repair install to restore the service.

Update:

If you like, download and merge the REG file below, then restart the computer to see if it may be able to restore the Security Center service for you.

Brink said:

Update:

If you like, download and merge the REG file below, then restart the computer to see if it may be able to restore the Security Center service for you.

Click to expand...

thnx Shawn - I did this and now it is listed in the extended and standard services. What should I do next?

Just to double check to make sure that it's set like below. Are you still getting the error afterwards?

Brink said:

Just to double check to make sure that it's set like below. Are you still getting the error afterwards?

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Yes, it is set as illustrated. Re-visited Action Center and the notification is gone.

Solved! Thnx to Shawn and everyone! You're all most AWESOME!!!!!

Perfect. You're most welcome.

mourning,
There is something else that bothers me. That service did not disappear by its little ol' lonesome self.

Most probably there was help from malware on your computer.

Unless the malware is removed, then the problem will reappear.

I recommend that you carry out this procedure:

HOW TO USE WINDOWS DEFENDER OFFLINE ON A USB STICK
Windows Defender Offline
· is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.
· performs an offline scan of an infected PC to remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware.

Download Windows Defender Offline (about 764 kB)

See also: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/166445-windows-defender-offline.html

You will have the choice of downloading the 32bit version (x86) or the 64 bit version (x64).
The link will help you determine whether you are running a 32 bit version or 64 bit version of Windows

NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 32 bit version using a 64 bit version of Windows
NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 64 bit version using a 32bit version of Windows.

You run the 32 bit version on a 32 bit version of Windows.
You run the 64 bit version on a 64 bit version of Windows.

The 32 bit download file name is: mssstool32.exe
The 64 bit download file name is: mssstool64.exe

For the curious, this program was originally name Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.


INSTALLATION:
You will need an Internet Connection.
Insert 512 mB (Microsoft’s 256 mB is no longer accurate) or larger USB stick into a usb port.
Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe
NEXT button
Choose the option On a USB flash drive that is not password protected
NEXT button
NEXT button
.
The install program will format the usb stick using the NTFS format.
The install program will download about 210 mB.
The install program will name the USB stick WDO_Media32 or WDO_Media64
The WDO_Media32 usb stick will have used space of 255 mB (268,140,544 bytes)
The WDO_Media64 usb stick will have used space of 282 mB (296,165,376 bytes)
You can expect the number of mB to increase as more malware appears.

UPDATE Windows Defender Offline USB stick:
· reinsert the usb stick
· run the installation program, mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe, again.
· the update will download about 66 mB (mssstool32.exe) and 68 mB (mssstool64.exe).

Since the malware database is sometimes updated several times in a day, always update before running.

PERFORM AN OFFLINE SCAN
Bootup your computer from the USB stick
Windows Defender Offline will automatically perform a quick scan.
After the quick scan finishes, Choose Full Scan
Select all of your drives

The initial, full scan can easily take several hours, but
Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.


RESULTS OF THE SCAN
The results will be in 4 log files on your computer's disk in:
\Windows\Microsoft Antimalware\Support
Upload the four log files please.
==============================================
==============================================

Great suggestion Karl.

I also think it would be wise to do what Karl suggested above to help be safe.

karlsnooks said:

mourning,
There is something else that bothers me. That service did not disappear by its little ol' lonesome self.

Most probably there was help from malware on your computer.

Unless the malware is removed, then the problem will reappear. ...

Click to expand...

Hi Karlsnooks - as I indicated in post #1 I ran full scans with both Malwarebytes and MS Security Essentials and deleted all detected items (there were a few). I am bookmarking this post and will perform your procedure in the event the problem resurfaces. Thank you!

-Marcos