Are you facing the same error “Windows 11 Defender not working”? Let’s get to know what this error is and how to resolve this error. A significant security problem impacts Windows Defender in the current Windows 11 preview build? When you try to start Windows Defender in Build 20000.120, which has been issued in both the Dev and Beta channels, it crashes. When you click the “Open Windows Security” button on the Windows Security tab in Settings, a bizarre pop-up appears instead of the application opening.
The pop-up states, “You’ll need a new app to open this windows defender link,” and then offers you the option of searching the Microsoft Store for an app. This dialogue box appears when you try to open or access a file whose extension is either unsupported by the default app selected in the appropriate category (for example,.MPG in the Photos app), there is no default app configured for said extension, or the extension is completely invalid.
So it’s understandably concerning if a basic component of Windows, one as important as security, is producing the same problem as a third-party file. Fortunately, this is not a widespread problem; only a few customers have reported experiencing this error. However, that number is still significant enough that this has emerged as a major flaw that Microsoft will most certainly address in the upcoming version.
Issues with Windows Defender and Security in Windows 11
In Windows 11, Microsoft has gone all-in on security, with incredibly stringent system requirements that effectively prohibit any processors released prior to 2017. TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot must also be integrated into your motherboard or CPU. This standard dramatically reduces the number of devices that can officially run Windows 11, but Microsoft claims that it will improve security and protection against malware, viruses, ransomware, and other threats.
The community reacted angrily, mocking Microsoft’s excessive criteria, but Microsoft re-iterated the logic behind their decision, thereby killing any chances of a change of the hardware requirements. As a result, having such a basic problem with Windows 11 looks unusual. However, because this flaw was discovered in a pre-release version of Windows that was not intended for the general public, it isn’t as serious. If anything, this alerts Microsoft to the problem, allowing them to address it early in the development of Windows 11 and ensure that it does not resurface after its public release.
Windows Defender has had a rocky start
Since the introduction of the first preview edition, Windows 11 has been afflicted by a number of bugs relating to Windows Defender. For example, several users complained that they had to enable Real-time protection in Windows Defender every time they booted up their computer. Another issue was that Automatic Sample Submission, the service that transmits data to Microsoft’s servers automatically when it detects an anomaly in your system such as a virus, would turn off after every system restart.
These vulnerabilities, along with a few others, are spread among the Windows 11 user base and don’t affect everyone, and because they’re older, Microsoft is likely to have rectified or patched them by now. The Windows Defender problem, on the other hand, is brand new and has yet to be addressed. As previously said, there is a simple solution to the problem.
The Solution To The Windows Defender Pop-Up Problem
- Using the Windows key, type “PowerShell,” right-click Windows PowerShell, and select “Run as administrator,”
- Copy and paste the command below into PowerShell, then hit Enter.
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.SecHealthUI -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage
The command will be operated, and the problem will be resolved. Instead of a pop-up asking you to select an app to open Windows Defender when you click the Open Windows Security Button in Windows 11, it will now open as usual.
An error has been reported by some persons who have followed the above procedure. The error is
“Get-AppxPackage” is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program, or batch file”
If you are facing this error then copy and paste this code:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
Please wait a second. Red lines may appear on occasion if it runs. Ignore it, it’s only finishing scanning, and after it’s done, your Windows Defender will start working
If you are still facing problems then there are other solutions too or if both commands don’t work then follow the options given below.
Check out “How To Fix Windows 11 Taskbar Issue”
Install an anti-virus or anti-malware program from a third-party developer.
Installing antivirus software can also help resolve the Windows 11 defender not working error. There are a number of Antivirus and Antimalware software you can download and run on your system. For best antivirus and antimalware tools check out the links below:
The Best Free Antivirus Software For Windows
5 Best Malware Removal Software For Windows
The Security Center service should be restarted.
One of the most likely reasons why the Windows Defender service isn’t operating is that the Security Center Services aren’t up and running. So, here are the procedures to enable the Security Center Service, or at the very least verify that it is functioning properly:
- To get the Run dialogue box, press Windows + R.
- Enter the command msc into the dialogue box.
- Locate Security Center in the Services window, right-click it, and choose Restart from the menu.
- Check to see if the Windows Defender Service is still operational. If the remedy doesn’t work, move on to the next step.
SFC Scan should be done
Running an SFC scan is a quick and straightforward solution to fix the Windows Defender not starting problem. SFC scans look for and fix system file corruption. This means that if the Windows Defender service has ceased running due to faulty files, an SFC scan will almost certainly resolve the problem. Follow the steps outlined here to run the SFC scan:
- Type cmd into Windows’ search box.
- Select Run as administrator from the right-hand panel.
- Type sfc /scannow when the Command Prompt window appears.
- Let the process complete
- Check to see whether you can now start your computer. Defender for Windows is a programme that protects your.
Run a clean boot
A third-party application may be interfering with your operating system, causing the Windows Defender service to be unavailable. In this case, a clean boot can be used to see if the problem is resolved. The procedure is as follows:
- By hitting Windows + R and then Enter, you can access the Run dialogue box.
- In the dialogue box, type msconfig
- Select Services from the menu bar.
- Hide all Microsoft services should be selected.
- Then, at the bottom right corner of the window, click on the Disable all button.
- To open Task Manager, go to the Startup tab and then Open Task Manager.
- All starting items should be disabled
- Return to the System Configuration window and select Apply, followed by OK.
- Reboot your computer now.
Windows 11 has a number of other known flaws.
The following problems are present in Windows 11:
- It’s possible that you won’t be able to type anything into the search bar.
- When switching input methods, the taskbar will flicker.
- When you use the search box, the settings app will crash.
- Bluetooth LE devices will have more problems with Bluetooth dependability.
- It’s possible that the Windows widgets board won’t operate.
These problems will be resolved in the weeks leading up to the October 2021 release. So, that’s it for now. Hope our suggestions here will help you fix your “Windows 11 Defender not working” issue. Stay tuned to our website for more information regarding Windows.
