Windows Action Center error

[BillH99999]

I just got a new computer running Windows 10 64 bit Version 10.0.17134 Build 17134. 

I installed Malwarebytes version 371.2839 with component package 1.0.586.  Sometimes when I first boot up I get the attached error in Windows Action Center.  The weird thing is that if I look at the Malwarebytes tray icon, it shows on problems and opening it shows all protections are active.  The error goes away about a minute after the boot up is finished.  The error doesn't happen every time I boot up, but probably about 75% of the time.

I have included a couple attachments.  Any ideas what might be causing the problem?  I never got this error on my old PC running the same operating system version and Malwarebytes version.

Thanks,

Bill

[Malwarebytes]

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[Maurice Naggar]

Hi @BillH99999

# 1 Having the Support tool report from the above post would be good.

# 2 What you describe from a new install on some Windows 10 is a known side effect.

I would suggest what follows to get that taken care of.

go into Malwarebytes.
Click Settings. Click Application tab.
Scroll down to Windows Action Center. ( see the picture-image below )


Click on the line "NEVER register Malwarebytes in the Windows Action Center".

Close the window when this is done.

Please do one Windows Restart.

After that, I expect the message will no longer occur.

Let me know how it goes.

Thank you.

Cheers,

 

[BillH99999]

@Maurice Naggar

I would refer not to post the logs.  Can I send them via another method?

I would like to have Malwarebytes registered to the Windows Action Center if possible.  This is the default setting in Malwarebytes which makes me think it should work.  It worked fine on my old computer running the same versions of OS and MB.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,

Bill

[BillH99999]

I meant prefer, not refer.

[Maurice Naggar]

Give the suggested adjustment one try, please.

Then lets see the result.

We can switch it back later on.

See if you can attach the support tool report to a personal message to me.   ( PM).

I would like to see the report on Malwarebytes configuration, and also to see about other security apps on this PC.

.

The impact of what is told to Windows Action Center can be a tad involved to explain to a lay person.  First of all, one has to keep in mind that Malwarebytes 3 Premium  ( installed , licensed, & activated) is running and protecting your system.  That is normal & the protection is there.  No matter anything else.

The telling or not telling "Windows Action Center"  ( which in Windows 10 is the "Windows Security " is advisory to Windows OS.

 

The thing is, that, there is a known defect when doing a new install on Windows 10.  Hence my advice above in order to get that "quirky notice" gone at this time.  Your pc's protection will not be "dimished".

[BillH99999]

I sent the logs via personal message.

I will try setting the MB option when I have a bit of time.

Thanks
Bill

[Maurice Naggar]

Thanks for the report.  The Malwarebytes 3 Premium is running & protecting your system.

I see that Windows does show Norton Security as the active, resident antivirus.

That is fine.

.

Just one other suggestion for you ( from the report review & unrelated to your original issue.)

It looks to me that the Scheduled Scan ( automatic scan) is set for 00:45:00 hours.  If your machine is not typically on at midnight, I would set it to a more realistic time of day.

Here is what I typically advise.
As far as when the scheduled automatic scan is scheduled for, you can review it and adjust as needed.
Start Malwarebytes. Click Settings button.
Click on Scan Schedule tab. Click the line *normal* ( column type) and click Edit button ( as needed) to view and make adjustment as needed.

 

Be sure you select a good time of the day when the computer and Windows will be on. Either your lunch hour perhaps, or after the end of your work-day or else, at the start of the work-day.

( For example on time, I have mine set to 5:15 PM when I know it is the normal end of my need for the day)

What I would do ( when the Scheduled Task is on-screen), click the Advanced button.
Then look to the right, under Recovery Options.
Put a check mark on the box for "Recover missed tasks"
On the list selection, choose 23 hours.

Click the OK button when done.

See our Help article online How-To: Set up a scheduled scan in Malwarebytes for Windows Premium

 

[BillH99999]

@Maurice Naggar

As for the scheduled scan, I leave my computer on 24x7 so that time is not a problem.  There is too much impact on performance to have the scan run any other time and it runs for several hours.

As for the original problem.  There were actually 2 things going on. 

One is the error message about MB being off.  When I change the setting to not register in WAC, then I no longer get the error as expected.   Should I try changing the setting back and see what happens?

The other "problem" I saw is that it took close to 1 min 45 seconds for the WAC tray icon to change from having a red X on it to having a green check mark.  I thought this was because of the "error" with MB.  However, after changing the setting as mentioned, it still takes as long for the red x to change to a green check mark.  When I open WAC during the time it it is showing a red check mark, it shows that it is still checking "Virus & threat protection" and "Firewall & network protection".  Eventually this changes to "No actions needed" and this is when the green check mark appears on the WAC icon.

This is strange as both computers are on the same OS version.  When I open WAC on the old computer as soon as I can after a reboot, the WAC icon shows a green check mark even while it is still checking the Virus & threat and Firewall & network protection.  On the old PC it never shows a red check mark.  Any ideas why the new one has the red check mark?  

Thanks,
Bill

[Maurice Naggar]

The odd behavior has to do with it being a new install.

Do you not ever Restart this pc ?   or perhaps Shutdown the pc at end of work day ?

.

Since this machine has Norton Security, lets take precaution & be sure that Norton recognizes Malwarebytes as a trusted application.

Use the tips on this Support article

https://support.malwarebytes.com/docs/DOC-1123

.

Not very sure what you call " WAC tray icon "

[BillH99999]

@Maurice Naggar

I restart this PC usually every couple days... the longest I go is about 3 or 4 days.  I do not shut it down at the end of the day.  These are personal PCs at my home, not in an office.

I have all these files in the exclusion lists already.  I have the same ones on the old PC and the new PC.  Both are 64 bit machines,  but I do not have a SYSNATIVE folder on either one.  The Drivers folder is in C:\Windows\SYSTEM32 so that is what I used for the exclusions.  Is that a problem?

I have attached the Windows Action Center (WAC) tray icon.

Thanks
Bill

[Maurice Naggar]

Ignore the bits about Sysnative.   Yes, use C:\Windows\SYSTEM32   instead.

 

p.s.  That icon is for the Windows 10 Security Center.

Double check the Windows 10 Settings for Security Center.

Need to be sure Windows Defender shows ok  & not disabled.

Edited June 1, 2019 by Maurice Naggar

[BillH99999]

@Maurice Naggar

Sorry I had the wrong name for the icon.  I do not use Windows Defender.  I use Norton Security.  So the Security Center shows that I am using Norton Security for both Antivirus and Firewall.  I don't see anyplace that it is actually saying Windows Defender is disabled, it is not listed at all.  Is there somewhere special I should be looking?

Thanks
Bill

[Maurice Naggar]

Disregard the mention of Windows Defender.   my bad.

Your system has Norton Security.   ( since it has Norton, then Windows Defender is disabled.)

 

Lets try this once.

go into Malwarebytes.
Click Settings. Click Application tab.
Scroll down to Windows Action Center. ( see the picture-image below )

CLICK on "Let Malwarebytes apply the best"

Close the window when this is done.
 

[BillH99999]

@Maurice Naggar

Before we go any further I just discovered that the operating system version on the machines is different.  I was going through the settings and they looked a bit different.

Old PC:  version 1809 build 17763.503

New PC: version 1803 build 17134.799

I assumed they were the same because it is a new PC and after getting it and setting it up I ran at least 10 check for updates and it says it is up to date.

Do you know why I am not getting offered 1809?  I got it on my old PC way back in October.  Seems like I should be offered it on the new PC.

Thanks,
Bill

[BillH99999]

@Maurice Naggar

I did some Googling and it looks like Microsoft abandoned 1809 due to a lot of problems.  So, I guess I'll stay on 1803 till 1903 is offered to me.

On my old PC (1809) in the Settings > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Private Network > Windows Defender Firewall it shows "Windows Defender Firewall is not active, because you're using other providers".

On my new pc (1803) in the Settings > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Private Network > Windows Defender Firewall it shows "Private firewall is off.  Your device may be vulnerable" preceded by a red X.

On both systems on the same Private Network settings page it lists Norton Security and it says it is installed and turned on and "no actions needed" so hopefully I am fully protected as far as Firewall goes.

In MB I will set the setting back to  "Let Malwarebytes apply the best" and see what happens.

Thanks
Bill

[BillH99999]

@Maurice Naggar

I rebooted and the error about Malwarebytes being turned off is back in the Security Center.

It takes about 1 1/2 minutes for Security Center to finish getting Virus & threat protection and Firewall & network protection status.  That is when the error shows up.  Then it takes about another 1 1/2 minutes for the Virus & threat protection status to change to "No actions needed" and the Red X changes to a Green check mark.

Thanks
Bill
 

[Maurice Naggar]

Hi,

Let me make the following remarks.

We need to put the behavior of the Windows Security applet to the side  ( for now).

What matters much more is  (a) that Norton Security is on & protecting.

(b) that Malwarebytes Premium is on & protecting.

Open MalwareBytes.   Look on the Dashboard.  Lets be sure it shows all OK.

.

Beyond this, what this machine needs is to upgrade to the Windows 10 build 1903.  You should be able to manually get it thru Windows Update.

It may take repeated tries with Windows Update till your pc is able to see that Update.  You should make a try each day, from here on out, ( this being June 1) till you see it offered.

Since this box has build 1803  it will be near the top for being offered the new build.

The suggestion I have is to go to the Start menu, click the Windows Settings icon. Select Update & Security.  Click on Windows Update.

The Windows Update ( eventually) will have a display like this when it shows up.

Note that the display will show the new build in a new way, in the middle of the display.  You will need to click on the blue line marked "Download and install now"  when ready.

 

 

Getting that Windows build update will put this pc in a better position towards making some progress on the issue of the "windows security" applet display.

[BillH99999]

@Maurice Naggar

OK... I checked again and both Malwarebytes and Norton are running and reporting no problems.  I just got the PC a couple days ago so I've checked at least 15 times.  The first time I checked I got about 7 or 8 updates.  Since then there have been no Windows updates available of any kind including the feature update.  I will keep checking at least once a day and will update as soon as it is available.  Do you know if people who have been able to update to 1903 are reporting any problems with MB or other security software?

Thanks!
Bill

[Maurice Naggar]

As previously noted, the main thing "is" that " both Malwarebytes and Norton are running and reporting no problems. "  & are both on & protecting.

Do keep checking once each day on Windows Update, preferably at just past the top of the hour.  The Microsoft Windows 1903 feature update is metered.  But your system should be one of the prime ones high on the list.

Check once  each day, and it will eventually show up.

 

 

[BillH99999]

@Maurice Naggar

I guess I'll just ignore the red x on the Defender icon since it goes away eventually.  I'll keep checking for the update to 1903.  Thanks for all your help.

Bill

[Maurice Naggar]

OK.   🙂