Update for Windows Defender - KB2267602

[drawlings]

I've uninstalled Avast as per the suggestion for getting KB2267602 to install but I can't turn on Defender. I'm not trying to run both at the same time, I just want to use Defender whilst I get the Windows Update sorted out because it seems that Avast is interfering with that.

I don't know if it's something in the way Avast was set up or how it turned Defender off but I can't get Defender to turn on. Maybe it's nothing to do with Avast but since it's Avast that was causing the problem with KB2267602 (or so this thread suggests), and that's to do with Defender, it looks pretty likely.

[bob3160]

I've uninstalled Avast as per the suggestion for getting KB2267602 to install but I can't turn on Defender. I'm not trying to run both at the same time, I just want to use Defender whilst I get the Windows Update sorted out because it seems that Avast is interfering with that.

I don't know if it's something in the way Avast was set up or how it turned Defender off but I can't get Defender to turn on. Maybe it's nothing to do with Avast but since it's Avast that was causing the problem with KB2267602 (or so this thread suggests), and that's to do with Defender, it looks pretty likely.

Avast didn't turn off Defender. Defender does that. If you've totaly removed Avast, defender restarts.
You do need to reboot the system.

[drawlings]

I've removed Avast, run Avastclear and restarted the computer several times. Defender isn't running. I've tried various ways to get Defender going but can't seem to get the service started, I think.
Quite frustrating.
Sorry for the delayed reply. Is there anyway of getting notified if someone posts in a topic I'm interested in? 'Follow topic' or similar? (I think I've found that now)

[DavidR]

I've removed Avast, run Avastclear and restarted the computer several times. Defender isn't running. I've tried various ways to get Defender going but can't seem to get the service started, I think.
Quite frustrating.
<snip>

You say Defender isn't running, where are you looking, what have you tried  ?

You don't actually say what Operating System you are using ?

This is win10 related:
If you press the Windows key and type Defender, then click the Windows Security option, Virus and Threat Protection.
What does it say is your Antivirus is and are there any instructions/actions required ?

[drawlings]

OS is Windows 8.1 x86
A little while after starting up there is a notification in the system tray that says "2 important messages ... Spyware and unwanted software protection (important) Turn on virus protection (important) ...".
When I try to click on "turn on" a File Explorer window opens to the system32 folder, and the message is still in the system tray.

Or if I go Start -> Control Panel -> Action Center, it says "Windows Defender is turned off.". When I click on "Turn on now" it goes to the system32 folder.

If I do Start -> Windows Defender, it says "PC status: At risk" and "Your PC isn't being monitored because the application's service stopped. You should restart it now.". When I click on "Start now" I get the blue circle for a while and then a message saying "The service couldn't be started. This operation returned because the timeout period expired." with an error code of 0x800705b4

I've looked in the registry and that seems to be correct. Some of the files in the Windows Defender folders have been replaced with known good versions. The problems with this machine first appeared with Windows Update and someone has been trying to help me. Whilst investigating that I found this topic and the OP describes a similar situation to the one I find myself in.

[DavidR]

I have never Used win8, or Defender, so using your error message  "The service couldn't be started. This operation returned because the timeout period expired." with an error code of 0x800705b4.  I did a google search and got  many hits, the first from answers.microsoft.com.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=The+service+couldn't+be+started.+This+operation+returned+because+the+timeout+period+expired.+with+an+error+code+of+0x800705b4

Hopefully one of those will help.

[drawlings]

Hi,
Thanks for having a look. I had done a similar search. Most responses to the question seem to revolve around running Windows Update which doesn't work on my machine and was the start of this series of issues. I've tried whatever other solutions I can find but not having any luck so far.

[bob3160]

This sounds like a corrupt OS. see if this helps fix the corruption.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-do-i-fix-corrupted-files-on-windows-81/9580a94f-37dc-4393-b83d-3012789aef17

[drawlings]

This sounds like a corrupt OS. see if this helps fix the corruption.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-do-i-fix-corrupted-files-on-windows-81/9580a94f-37dc-4393-b83d-3012789aef17

Something has definitely gone wrong somewhere in the system!

I have tried a few of the things that are in that link and not had any success. I don't have my notes in front of me at the moment but I do recall trying various versions of DISM. I think I did try refreshing but that it refused... Sorry, that's very vague but I'll need to have a look at it when I'm feeling more awake than I do now.

Thanks for the suggestion.