Windows Defender deactivated by Group Policy

Split from this thread.

Windows Defender Turned Off By Group Policy on Windows 8.1

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community. I appreciate your efforts to resolve this issue, I will surely help you.

Nov 14, 2016.

Hi,

I am on Windows 10.

I have no other antivirus program on my system.

Still, not able to able to access Defender.

Can you please help?

Probably windows defender is turned off in the registry

right-click on  start > click on run

type    regedit    and  press enter

go to              HKey_Local_Machine\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender                  and delete the value in      DisableAntiSpyware.

Let me know if it helps

Is your PC part of domain or company network?

Nov 15, 2016.

Hi David,

Thanks for your help.

This is what I see when I go to Widows Defender

Against AntiSpy,

1. Under type, it says - REG -DWORD

2. Under Data it says  - (invalid DWORD (32-bit) value)

There are no values appearing anywhere which I may delete.

Could you please suggest next step?

Thanks again,

Shyamsunder

not Domain or Company network-ISP provides broadband service.

Thanks.

[Your new thread has been merged with your original thread.]

Answer-by-number:

1. Did the computer come with Win10 preinstalled, did you do a clean install of Win10, or did you upgrade a Win7 computer or a Win8.1 computer [<=PICK ONE!] to Win10?

2. Who manufactured the computer (e.g., Dell; HP; Acer; Lenovo; ASUS)?

3. Has a Norton application or a McAfee application EVER been installed on the computer since you bought it?

4. Have you ever run the Norton Removal Tool and/or the McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool?

5. What Version & OS Build of Windows 10 is currently installed? [tap the Windows key, type “winver” into the Start menu, and press Enter key]

Hi Shyamsunder,

Double click on the reg-dword and a small window will open where you can delete the value or put it  to 0. If this is not possible, delete the whole key.

Here is the path again

go to              HKey_Local_Machine\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender                  and delete the value in      DisableAntiSpyware.

Nov 17, 2016.

Hi David,

Yes, it did work!

Many thanks.

Defender is up and running, detecting malware and removing them, too.

However, I have run into an unexpected problem-the system says it "can not open Windows Security Service Center"; without offering any other suggestion. I thought with defender being up, there should not be another security related glitch-obviously, I am wrong. Could you please suggest some resolution?

Thanks again.

Shyamsunder 

How am I supposed to fix this I I don't know how to?