Vista - Windows Defender - On or Off

Hi.

I've been having problems activating Windows Defender. I've tried several suggestions, going to DOS prompt and type in what was suggested, something to do with the repository... anyhow, it did not work. When I try to just even click on WD on Control Panel, it does not do anything at all. I wanted to uninstall then reinstall, but I just couldn't because I can't even open it in the first place. It's really frustrating. Please help!

Thanks!

Hi Shali,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Do you have Windows Onecare installed? If you do, then this would be why Windows Defender will not run. Onecare disabled it and uses it's own version instead.

first of all, sorry for not knowing whether to post reply on top or bottom (just joined in 15mins ago!), i can't see consistency with other posts. secondly, thanks very much for getting back to me fast, and i mean really fast! unfortunately, i don't have onecare installed. i was looking at it earlier though, but decided against it. my WD worked just fine just last month or so, then i started experiencing these annoying pop-ups, and that's the time when i realized that it has stopped running, security center says that real time protection has been disabled (just about the same time when i started experiencing these problems). please help. thanks.

Shali,

You might also check to make sure that the service is set to Started and Automatic at the top of this tutorial.

You might check to see if you have the Real-time protection turned on in step 7 of this tutorial below to.

Windows Defender Notification

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thanks Shawn... for some bazaar reasons, my WD is "clickable" now! I read somewhere that performing some "salvagerepository" (CMD in Start-Run), should solve my problem, but it didn't... BUT, a note at the bottom also said that sometimes it doesn't work right away... I didn't bother restarting but when I opened my computer today, WD is indeed back. Huray! Anyhow, all settings are what they should be, but I still have these annoying pop-ups... These pop-ups open in a new window... I seldom use multiple windows, I prefer working in multiple tabs instead. Is there any other way to tighten the security for pop-ups? Thanks.

Shali_23,

I'm glad to hear that WD is working now for you.

You could increase the filter level in the pop-up setting in IE7 and add websites that you trust to the exception list. Sometimes some sites will not load or work properly if the filter level is to high. You can either lower the filter level or add that site to the exception list to solve that problem though. In IE7, you can get to the settings by clicking Tools, Pop-up Blocker, Pop-up Blocker Settings.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thanks again Shawn. You've been really helpful. Wish I have even a fraction of your knowledge about these things.
Filter Level - I am using Mozilla Firefox, what's the approach to this?
Thanks.

PS - Hope it's ok... Under a rather different context, is it advisable to tick the box where it says to delete cookies as I log-off? I notice after I log-off from Vista Forum, it always has a note that says cookies have been deleted. Wonder if this is advisable to all site. Thanks.

Shali_23,

I'm not familiar enough with Firefox's settings. You might post that question in the Network & Internet forum to see if someone may know a good way for you.

It's fine to delete all cookies if you wanted to. They just store the logon and other information related to the site it is for. When deleted, you will have to re-enter the information again when you visit the site afterwards. You can also set Firefox to not accept cookies except for the websites you listed to allow in Exceptions. You can see these settings by clicking Tools, Options, Privacy, Uncheck Accept cookies from sites, click Exceptions button, copy web address and click Allow.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Hi
Im using Nod32 internet security and Superantispyware so i disabled Defender(Real Protection from Defender options) and windows firewall but in Windows Services still Running both (Automatic).If i gonna disable both from services or let them running ??Im littlebit worried if i disable both and later if i wants to turn it back again if it could cause trouble....
I read many ppl facing problem to turn it back again..what u advice..........