Windows Defender starts and disappear right away...

I am running Windows 7 Ultimate and had run Windows Defender before successfully. Now, it is verified to be installed. I ran it as Admin by clicking on the Windows Security Essentials icon.

A screen appeared and disappeared in a flash. I went to "Turn your features ON or OFF" but did not see Windows Security Essentials or Windows Defender listed there for me to turn on or off.

I am able to pin Windows Security Essentials on my task bar but when double-click it, same problem occurred. Tried everything suggested online but no deal.

Any ideas to help me out?

Thanks...Mimi

Hi there, run a system file check from elavated command prompt using the sfc /scannow. Restart and see if this helps! :)

Thank you very much for your suggestions, tezlewis and Borg 386.

I tried both. The scan did not detect any problem and I restarted the machine. No luck. I then uninstalled MSE, reinstalled MSE and restarted the machine. Same problem happened.

After MSE was uninstalled, I tried to install Windows Defender but got the following error:

"You do not need to install this software because Windows Defender is included in Windows Vista. You can access Windows Defender from the Security section of the Windows Control Panel"

1st of, I am running Windows 7, not Vista. I looked into the Security section but did not see Windows Defender on my list of "Turning features on and off" dialog.

Any other ideas to help me out?

Many Thanks...Mimi

Might want to run a scan with Malwarebytes and/or Superantispyware.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/
http://www.superantispyware.com/

rvbfan said:

Might want to run a scan with Malwarebytes and/or Superantispyware.
Malwarebytes
SUPERAntiSpyware.com | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware!

Thank you very much, rvbfan. I ran both links you suggested above and superantispyware.com picked up 749 problems and fixed them.

My anomalies are gone. Thank You! :)

Thank you so much for your suggestion, Borg 386.

I had both MSE and Defender (not sure if its disabled or not). I uninstalled MSE. I could not uninstall Defender so I went to delete the Defender folder under Program Files.

It wouldn't let me. It says:

"You need permission to perform this action.
You require permission from TrustedInstaller to make changes to this folder..."

I fiddled with the ACL to try give it permission but to no avail.

How can I get rid of it before reinstalling MSE?

Many Thanks...Mimi