I cannot get Windows virus & threat protection to work

Windows Defender antivirus refuses to work since uninstalling Bitdefender and Avast Premium Security (not both installed at the same time). I don't know how long this problem has been there, but I can say that restoring the disc image (with Macrium Reflect) to a month ago has not resolved the problem. Initially, I thought it had, but it hasn't. I've tried Tweakingdotcom, DISM, sfc /scannow and FixWin11, but nothing has worked. Is there anything else I could try, except for a Windows reset, which I don't really want to do as it will take me a long time to reinstall all my software?

I'm attaching a summary of my system for you in case that helps.

When one installs a third party AV, Windows Defender is turned OFF. Both of those AV are notorious for being very difficult to completely uninstall and remnants are left in the system, Avast more so than BD. I never use either of them for that reason.

One can not uninstall those apps using the normal uninstall method. If the third party AV has it's own uninstall tool, it should be used,but even then I have seen times they did not remove everything. I suggest such third party apps be uninstalled using an uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller which scans for leftover files and registry entries.
The free version of Revo is fine to do this.

Until you get all remnants removed, WD will not turn on. Some people have had luck reinstalling the apps and then uninstalling them with Revo, making sure all leftover entries are checked for removal. If that doesn't work, you will have to search for any files and registry entries they left behind and manually remove them.

I do use Revo Uninstaller Pro and have done for many years. I'll try an uninstall of Bitdefender and Avast again to see if that resolves the issue. If not, what would I need to look for in the registry?

Sixties Fan said:

I do use Revo Uninstaller Pro and have done for many years. I'll try an uninstall of Bitdefender and Avast again to see if that resolves the issue. If not, what would I need to look for in the registry?

Click to expand...

You absolutely must use the AV's own uninstallers. Do not use REVO.

For Bitdefender, for example... start here, and make the correct choices for the version you have...

How to uninstall Avast Premium Security...


Antivirus programs have kernel drivers, which cannot be uninstalled by any "normal" method.
This is done to protect the AV program itself, since the AV program is protecting you.
The kernel is far below the registry. So, removing registry entries will not remove the AV program.

Depending on what condition you have left AVAST and BD, you may have to reinstall them first... and then use the removal tools. The removal tools need to see the full program to be able to "do their thing".

If the Windows Security app doesn't open, is crashing, or doesn't work properly, you can reset it to try to fix the Windows Security app.

Nothing happens when I click on the button to download the Bitdefender Uninstall tool. I have downloaded the Avast tool, but I tried both of these tools before and it didn't resolve the issue. I've also tried resetting the Windows app, but that didn't work either.

Sixties Fan said:

what would I need to look for in the registry?

Click to expand...

Would be like looking for needle in a haystack.

Make sure you use the right tool. First try their uninstall tool to see if they completely remove the products. .
Avast's own tool in safe mode. Avast Removal Tool | Download Avast Clear | Avast

BitDefender tool-select right tool for whatever product version you had. Run as administrator.

Sixties Fan said:

Nothing happens when I click on the button to download the Bitdefender Uninstall tool. I have downloaded the Avast tool, but I tried both of these tools before and it didn't resolve the issue. I've also tried resetting the Windows app, but that didn't work either.

Click to expand...

Might be time to just do a clean install of Windows 11.



IF you decide to do a clean install, these tips may help.

1. Create the installation media as per the tutorial.
2. Unhook the internet completely.
3. Install Windows 11 using a "local" account.
4. Install the motherboard and vid card drivers.
5. Make a full backup.
6. Rehook the internet and do Windows Updates.
7. Make another full backup.
8. Install all your programs and do your personalizations... then if everything is working... make a full backup.
9. If everything stays working for a few weeks... you can delete the other two backups. Just keep the one from step #8.

Concur with @Ghot Eliminate all the guess work with a Clean Install.

I've reset my computer and Windows has reinstalled from the cloud. I don't see the antivirus option now when I click on the blue shield.

What version of Windows are you running (cmd prompt type winver)
I am on release version 22H2 22621.2134 and the screenshot below shows what I see from settings>privacy and security>windows secutity>open windows security

I'm on this version at the moment, but there are a lot of pending updates:


But to bring you up to date. I couldn't resolve the issue with the missing Virus & Threat option, so I've restored my computer once again to how it was a month ago and uninstalled Bitdefender (without using Revo Uninstaller). Windows Defender is working at the moment (no idea why it was missing after a fresh install of Windows), but will it still work once all the pending updates have reinstalled? If not, I'll have to reinstall either Bitdefender or Avast, because I don't think I can take much more of this hassle.

I'll post an update tomorrow.

The first of the Windows updates has killed the operation of the Virus & threat protection feature, so at least I now know what has caused the problem. It seems like I'll have to install a third-party security program after all.

Also, I've just seen this:

Sorry, I did not notice in your first screenshot that you were still on 21h2. Once you apply the latest cumulative for 21h2 KB5029332, you will be back at
build 2360 where you started.
Version 21H2 will reach end of servicing on October 10, 2023. You never upgraded to 22H2. 23H2 will be released by Oct.

Sixties Fan said:

The first of the Windows updates has killed the operation of the Virus & threat protection feature, so at least I now know what has caused the problem. It seems like I'll have to install a third-party security program after all.

Click to expand...

Let the updates install and go to this site to read and to download the latest Windows 11 22H2 version
so you can at least be up to date and then install the remaining updates for this version.
Be aware that the last update to Windows 11 which is a Preview will affect MSI's motherboards.
This is probably not your case but, just be aware that if you are presented with this Preview update,
Do Not install it. It is only a Preview and will be installed automatically next week along with the
Real updates.

Sixties Fan said:

I've reset my computer and Windows has reinstalled from the cloud. I don't see the antivirus option now when I click on the blue shield.

Click to expand...

A reset and a clean install are NOT the same thing.
I linked the tutorial for the clean install. Read through it a couple times.

MS is almost ready to release 23H2, and you need to be more up to date, or you will probably have issues in the future.

Ghot said:

A reset and a clean install are NOT the same thing.
I linked the tutorial for the clean install. Read through it a couple times.

MS is almost ready to release 23H2, and you need to be more up to date, or you will probably have issues in the future.

Click to expand...

Wisdom speaks. I'm hoping I'll be able to resolve my chitty-chitty bang-bang issue in device manager with 23H2. I really don't need iTBMT 3 anyway, but that niggling yellow triangle is working havoc on my OCD.

Scannerman said:

Wisdom speaks. I'm hoping I'll be able to resolve my chitty-chitty bang-bang issue in device manager with 23H2. I really don't need iTBMT 3 anyway, but that niggling yellow triangle is working havoc on my OCD.

Click to expand...

Let's see a pic of your Device Manager triangle...

Ghot said:

Let's see a pic of your Device Manager triangle...

Click to expand...

Oh, there's one here in the forum some place. I converted it into a question mark. It's the intel turbo boost maximum technology 3 driver that isn't supported by Windows 11 but even if I completely uninstall and delete it Windows keeps on putting it back. I turned off my updates for the time being. I'll just wait for the 23H2 release and see what happens then.

Scannerman said:

Oh, there's one here in the forum some place. I converted it into a question mark. It's the intel turbo boost maximum technology 3 driver that isn't supported by Windows 11 but even if I completely uninstall and delete it Windows keeps on putting it back. I turned off my updates for the time being. I'll just wait for the 23H2 release and see what happens then.

Click to expand...

When was the last time you updated the chipset driver?
Those weird yellow warnings are usually part of the chipset drivers.