BleepingComputer.com: Windows Defender

On start up I get a warning box indicating that my Windows Defender needs to be started manually and I can't find out how to do that. I just did a download of the windows updates and restarted my computer, but am still getting the warning box. Any chance someone could help me?

Moderator Edit: Moved topic to more appropriate forum. ~ Animal

That is a new one. I use WD and never got such a message. Wonder if it is due to installing IE7.
If it is not listed in the start menu when you click on start, use the "all Programs" and find and start from there.
Here is a link to how to set up WD.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/s...indefender.mspx

Same thing happened to me . The error says as follows..""Application failed to initialize: 0x800106ba . a problem caused Windows Defender Service to stop. To start the service restart the computer or search
help and Support on how to start a service manually. "

Restarting , the same message box is shown again. If I tray to start
manually, the same message box comes back.
Anyone with a solution or help?

Looking around on the Web, I can see a lot of users are having this problem.
copied from here:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/s...amp;m=1&p=1

One way to solve this problem is by 'starting the service'
> Right click MY COMPUTER
> MANAGE
> expand the SERVICES tab so that on the rihgt side of the window it displays
> all the services
> find windows defender
> right click PROPERTIES
> on a drop down menu it may say DISABLED
> select MANUAL or AUTOMATIC
> and click APPLY
> then click START

thanks Buddy will try..

In the link in my post above, there is directions for uninstalling Defender and reinstalling if the other fix doesn't work. Here are the instructions:
(The instructions don't mention using the uninstaller from Add/Remove, but I would run that first before using the Cleanup Utility.)


I'VE GOT THE SOLUTION - FROM MICROSOFT!
1. Go to www.microsoft.com
2. In the Search Window (upper right corner), type: windows installer cleanup
3. Click on the first heading, "Description of the Windows Installer CleanUp
Utility".
4. Scroll down and click on "Download the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility
package now."
5. Save it to your Desktop or any folder you wish.
6. Run the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility.
7. A window will pop up. Scroll down to the Windows Defender line.
8. Select or highlight that line (I had two such entries).
9. Click the Remove button. Then click the Exit button.
10. Go to www.microsoft.com and download and install the new Windows
Defender program Version 1.1.1593.0
11. That's it. Happy computing.

Speaking of Windows Defender, how can I configure it not to remove programs it finds as suspcious and harmful?

WD removes by default only the programs it identifies as severe or high threats. You can also choose to quarantine or ignore the severe or high threats. Open WD and click on tools/ options and then under Default Settings click on the drop down windows and make your choice of the action(s) you want WD to take.
Before changing from Default Action I would suggest you read "understanding WD's alert levels" before changing the actions.

You can find more info here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/s...indefender.mspx

Hi Everyone,

I started having that same problem just over a week ago. Has anyone figured out what causes it to happen yet?

Hi buddy215, I saw all of the stuff that you said about fixing it and I'll be trying some of that as soon as I get through with the HJT thing that I have going right now.

See you guys later,
Wendy

I saw in an article 2 days ago that users that were using the beta version of defender were having problems after Dec. 31. Windows stopped support at that time and that is the reason for the notice.
Regardless of whether that is your problem or some other reason you deleted Windows Defender and now want to reinstall, you need to run the Windows Cleanup Utility before attempting to reinstall Defender. That is the fix that Windows recommends.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301/

Hi Buddy215, Thanks for the information. I think I'll just uninstall what I have and let Microsoft keep their defender. I don't like the looks of what I saw in that fix.

Bye,
Wendy

Just so everyone is aware, since the release of the new version (1.1.1593) Windows Defender is no longer installable or supported for Windows 2000.

Those still using the expired version should receive an error message: "0x80071b90 the systems license has expired".