Windows 7: Can't change Windows Defender's location in registry

After installing Windows 7 RC1, I changed %ProgramFiles% to D:\Program Files in the registry, as that's where I wants files to install by default. But then Action Center was complaining that Windows Defender wasn't running, and I figured it was probably because I changed %ProgramFiles%. Windows Defender is located in C:\Program Files\Windows Defender.

I went into the registry and tried to change references to Windows Defender's location, but when I try to do so, I get this error:

Cannot edit: Error writing the value's new contents.



Any ideas?

Xax, I would imagine that Defender WOULD NOT let you change it as a security reason. If you could change it, then a virus or other malicious software could use that to disable it right? You may have to leave it and work around it.

~Lordbob

I would be surprised if this is happening by design, otherwise that's a really annoying design flaw. I was able to do it on both of my computers with Windows 7 v7000 without any problems.

I don't know if it's relevant, but if I run Windows Defender manually, it loads up and says, "A problem caused this program's service to stop. To start the service, click the Start now button or restart your computer."

If I click "Start now," it will sit for 5 minutes and then give some sort of time-out error.

Ah, so it HAS worked in the past. Ok, then something probably was changed and is causing the error.

Did you do it the same way you did with the other OS?

~Lordbob

I would imagine lots of people change the default Program Files drive. As far as I can recall, I did it the same way.

I would not think many people would, but you never know.

~Lordbob