Windows defender is an anti virus/spyware program that has been built into win8. However it is generally disabled as various other third party AV softwares are bundled along. For activating it one will have to uninstall the other AV s/w present. The steps for activating:
Method 1:
To make the “Windows defender Service” startup type to “Automatic”.
Follow these steps:
a. Press “Windows key + R” from keyboard.
b. Type “services.msc” without quotes in the “Run” Window and hit enter.
c. Search for “Windows Defender Service”.
d. Make “Startup Type” to “Automatic”.
e. Restart the computer and then check how it works.
Method 2:
Perform System File Check (SFC), and then check if this fixes the issue.
Follow the steps:
a. Press “Windows Key + Q” to open Charms Bar.
b. Type “cmd” without quotes in the search box.
c. On the left pane, right click on the “cmd” option and select “Run as Administrator”.
d. Type ‘sfc /scannow’ without quotes and hit enter.
To make the “Windows defender Service” startup type to “Automatic”.
Follow these steps:
a. Press “Windows key + R” from keyboard.
b. Type “services.msc” without quotes in the “Run” Window and hit enter.
c. Search for “Windows Defender Service”.
d. Make “Startup Type” to “Automatic”.
e. Restart the computer and then check how it works.
Method 2:
Perform System File Check (SFC), and then check if this fixes the issue.
Follow the steps:
a. Press “Windows Key + Q” to open Charms Bar.
b. Type “cmd” without quotes in the search box.
c. On the left pane, right click on the “cmd” option and select “Run as Administrator”.
d. Type ‘sfc /scannow’ without quotes and hit enter.
However if methods 1 & 2 don't work then there is a simple fix:
You can enable Windows Defender simply by typing in the command line: sc start WinDefend Enable
Had to search for hours in order to get this fix. It should work.
[Source Internet discussion boards]
Next: what to do incase you forget your admin password for Win8
