Windows Defender Problems

Hello,

Had a HD failure, so had to re-install everything.
Was smart enough way back when I purchased the HP desktop to make those System Restore Disks (3), and the restore went well.

Anyway, thought I'd get Windows Defender running again, as it is supposed to be really good, I heard. Am also running AVAST-Free.

Can't seem to get Windows Defender going.

It "seems" to be there, but if I go to it, it says it needs to be STARTED again by clicking on a START Button that is there, or the PC re-started to run.

If I click on the START Button that is there, the little green circle just keeps revolving, seemingly forever.
Restarting the pc doesn't help either.

If I download a new copy of Windows Defender, it won't install, as it comes up with a msg. that an install isn't needed as it is already there. Also mentions Vista for some reason. I'm running W7.

If I go to the Action Center in the Control panel, same results, exactly.

What should I do to get Windows Defender operational ?
What is going on, do you think ?

Thanks,
Bob

Avast disables Defender.

Hi,

Thanks for help; appreciate it.

Before the re-install, I had both running; I'm pretty sure

If, now, I can only have one, which one does a better job ?

Regards,
Bob

What I would do is install preferred freeware Microsoft Security Essentials.

Defender is not worth worrying about, except in Windows 8 where it's actually renamed MSE and is built in.

I am also running Avast together with Defender without any problems. However you can check through Services to see if the program is set to be working Automatically.Services - Start or Disable

If it were me, I would turn off real time protection, as well as disable the service of Windows Defender. It is below average at best, and just uses system resources. A weekly manual scan with either Malwarebytes or Hitman Pro is a much better option as both of those two programs are considered the best, and they're both free.