Windows Defender always complaining at startup

[rovf]

When logging into Windows, Windows Defender always greets me with the a message complaining that it is turned off and whether I want to turn it on.

Since I already use antivirus/spywareprotection software, I certainly don't want to use Windows Defender. But how can I keep it from complaining?

I already discussed this problem in another forum, and there was the recommendation that I should go to ControlPanel/ActionCenter and switch off the security messages. This did not help - I have switched off all security messages (except "Windows Update"), but the message still occurs.

 

[Bill2]

First check in msconfig (click start orb, type msconfig). Click the startup tab in msconfig and uncheck windows defender if its enabled there.

 

[karlsnooks]

Turn it on.

 

[Athene]

Open Windows Defender/activate it, go to "Tools", then to "Options" and turn off the following functions: "Automatic scanning" and "Use real-time protection"; under Administrator Options, leave "Use Windows Defender" and "Allow everyone to use Windows Defender" checked.

 

[rovf]

click start orb

orb is not in my PATH. Do you happen to know which directory it is supposed to be in?

 

[Bill2]

click start orb

orb is not in my PATH. Do you happen to know which directory it is supposed to be in?

That means Start button, the shiny blue ball at the bottom left corner of the screen that sparkles when you mouse it and has a muticoloured windows logo on it.

 

[rovf]

Open Windows Defender/activate it...

This doesn't work either: When I activate Defender, I get the following error message:



I guess our systems are configured so that Defender can't be started (which makes sense somehow, since it is pointless to run two antivirus programs in parralel).

Any other idea how to get rid of this message?

 

[rovf]

That means Start button

I see! I was confused, because there exists also an application orb.exe (just that I don't have it).

Well, Defender was not listed in the Startup list, so this doesn't help either...

 

[Bill2]

Click on the start button, type services.msc, hit Rnter. Navigate to windows defender service, stop it if its running and set startup type to disabled.

 

[Athene]

I found this thread (see link below; Nem's instructions). You can fix the problem by deleting a registry entry. I read about this solution in other threads and forums, too. Please back up your registry beforehand!http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/77967-cannot-start-windows-defender.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/66006-window-defender.html
-------
Backing up the registry in XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756

Backing up the registy in Vista:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Back-up-the-registry

Backing up the registry in Windows 7:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Back-up-the-registry

 

[seekermeister]

It may depend on which AV that you use. I know that Windows Defender worked properly with Outpost's Virus Buster, but when I installed Bit Defender, the installation automatically turned Windows Defender off. I assume that was due to the fact that having multiple AV is known to cause problems. Of course, if Windows Defender did work properly with the AV that you have, that is probably not the reason that it doesn't work now. The question is, how was Windows Defender turned off...by you, group policy or by the AV?

 

[karlsnooks]

rovf,
let's get you a solid working system.

100% uninstall Norton, 100% uninstall any anti-virus software you have on your computer.

Do NOT muck around with the registry.

Doi NOT muck around with the registry.

Now install and use Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE). Link in my sig.

After performing all of these actions, get back to us and report the status.

 

[rovf]

rovf,
let's get you a solid working system.

100% uninstall Norton, 100% uninstall any anti-virus software you have on your computer.

And what do you think my employer will say if I change by my own the company-wide security guidelines?

If it were my *own* computer, I would just replace the whole Windows stuff by Linux and this would also get rid of the problem, but as it turns out, it isn't.

 

[karlsnooks]

I was unaware that we were talking about a company system.

I will now withdraw to avoid any legal problems and suggest that you contact Microsoft for support.

 

[marsmimar]

rovf,
let's get you a solid working system.

100% uninstall Norton, 100% uninstall any anti-virus software you have on your computer.

And what do you think my employer will say if I change by my own the company-wide security guidelines?

If it were my *own* computer, I would just replace the whole Windows stuff by Linux and this would also get rid of the problem, but as it turns out, it isn't.

Since it's a company computer, why can't your company's IT Dept take care of the issue?

 

[rovf]

Since it's a company computer, why can't your company's IT Dept take care of the issue?

I think I will finally revert to this. Basically, I prefer researching on my own how to do things, because I then learn something, plus it's usually faster; but this case is probably too complicated, so I will hand it over to our IT...

Thanks to all who tried helping.

 

[rovf]

The question is, how was Windows Defender turned off...by you, group policy or by the AV?

Good question. I didn't turn it off knowingly. Whether the AV did it (Trend Micro Office Scan) I don't know. It might be turned off by group policy, because everyone in our group has the same AV software (this is required), and nobody uses Defender (actually, even if I wanted to use Defender, I could not turn it on - the message says that it is forbidden to switch it on, due to group policy). So best guess: It is turned off by group policy.

Interestingly, I am the only one who gets ths warning message on logon...