Windows 7: After registry changes, Windows Defender cannot update

I recently did an experiment and started a fresh 7 install, but with registry changes. All my programs are on a partition other than C, and so is the boot record, PowerShell, my user profile, and all Windows temp files. Some of these changes required updating the registry, while others merely required changing the Environment Variables.

Since I modified the registry and all my programs are on a separate partition, Windows Update cannot provide updates for Windows Defender; the updates just fail. All other updates work succesfully I tried to go into the registry to change the default install location for Windows Defender, but no option was available under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. From what I can tell, Windows Defender is not running at all.

Has anybody found a fix for this issue?

I had a Defender issue kind of like that....Is your Event Viewer working? Mine was not and when I managed to Google a fix and tried it Defender came back as well as Event Viewer. It was a "permissions" thing..Maybe error 1042 on the viewer??? Maybe.....not?

Apologies, but Im confused as to what the problem is, or more specifically .. Why?

Temp Folder & User Folders should require no registry editing what-so-ever.
Its all a location move, or Enviromental Variable Change pointing to a new location.

Programs should stay with the OS IMHO, but if you want them on another partition they can simply be installed to that location.


Hence the confusion about registry editing.
Why and what did you change in the registry?

Did you log which keys you changed; the default values; and did you add any keys?

Use system restore to return the registry to the way it was and dont try to improve a system that does not need improvlement. Here is a list of things that should be done.

Suggestions for Proper Maintenance

A strong second to Rich's advice.

Wishmaster - The temp files were not moved using a registry hack. It was the environment variables, as I stated.

CarlTR6 - I did not keep track of it, but did not add any keys. I based it on a google search, changed the default installer's location under three sections in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/software/windows.

As for the others: I really don't mind experimenting like this with the registry. I have three computers, all of which are entirely functional, so if one fails, I have two others to use temporarily. And it did need to be fixed, because the best-of-the-best backup software costs $$$ and every time I reinstall Windows I lose application settings, game save data, OS settings, updates, programs. If I have them on a separate partition, I at least know/have what needs to be restored. It's summer time, can't find work, and no school, so I didn't really mind taking a little risk and play around to see what I can do, after all; that's how people learn.

Save your money.

Use the 100% free Win 7 Backup and Restore which comes with your Win 7.
Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

This is the one. This is the only backup and restore software which I use.

This software has saved me more than once.

Macrium Reflect is free and works well: Imaging with free Macrium

Doing anything in the Registry without setting a restore point is reckless and amateurish, not experimental.