Windows Defender is turned off and when I try to turn it on I get "Windows Defender is turned off by group policy." It refuses to turn on. It says to contact my administrator. This is a single personal computer, there is no administrator. My anti-virus is Avast Free. I also have a McAfee program installed by Comcast.
If you have more than one AV running in real time it will slow down your computer. They check each other and cause issues. Decide which one you prefer and turn the others off. As given there are free programs like MalwareBytes which you can use on demand when you want to check for malware. EDIT:
You are the administrator.Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
message edited by Derek
try this in an administrative powershell prompt
you can start powershell using the windows key+R, then type powershell
once in powershell try the following code:Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $false
copy-paste it in & hit enter
edit: "Defender turns itself off if it detects another AV program. This is deliberate to avoid accusations of MS trying to create a monopoly."
source:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...Simple solutions are often the best
message edited by hidde663
There should only ONE antivirus program running.
Why do you want to run 3 of them.
If you suspect malware on your system, run anti-malware program like Malwarebytes
> > First logged in as an administrator. Press Windows+R keys from keyboard, type gpedit.msc in Run
Window and hit Enter.> >In Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit) find this location Local Computer Policy > Administrative Templates
> Windows Components > Windows Defender.>> When you click on Windows Defender in left-panel , now find out Turn off Windows Defender setting
in right-panel.>> Double click on it to open, a new window will show Windows Defender settings, here select Disable
and hit OK button to save the settings. This will disable the Turn off Windows Defender option means
Defender is enabled and your can run it.>> Now, try to open Windows Defender.
Defender will not "turn on" if you have a 3rd party AV program installed. You already have two AV programs installed & neither are very good. Pick one & stick with it.
If you have more than one AV running in real time it will slow down your computer. They check each other and cause issues. Decide which one you prefer and turn the others off. As given there are free programs like MalwareBytes which you can use on demand when you want to check for malware. EDIT:
You are the administrator.Always pop back and let us know the outcome - thanks
message edited by Derek
Thankyou all. Since this is normal, I will do nothing and not worry about it.
Ad Choices