Windos Defender stopped working after uninstalling Malwarebytes

[begawaw]

Hello all,

 

I uninstalled Malwarebytes and now Windows Defender is deactivated. I have tried several things to no evail. Any help would be a appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Malwarebytes]

***This is an automated reply***

Hi,

Thanks for posting in the Malwarebytes for Windows Help forum.

If you are having technical issues with our Windows product, please do the following:

Malwarebytes Support Tool - Advanced Options

This feature is designed for the following reasons:

• For use when you are on the forums and need to provide logs for assistance
• For use when you don't need or want to create a ticket with Malwarebytes
• For use when you want to perform local troubleshooting on your own

How to use the Advanced Options:

Spoiler

1. Download Malwarebytes Support Tool
2. Double-click mb-support-X.X.X.XXXX.exe to run the program
   • You may be prompted by User Account Control (UAC) to allow changes to be made to your computer. Click Yes to consent.
3. Place a checkmark next to Accept License Agreement and click Next
4. Navigate to the Advanced tab
5. The Advanced menu page contains four categories:
   • Gather Logs: Collects troubleshooting information from the computer. As part of this process, Farbar Recovery Scan Tool (FRST) is run to perform a complete diagnosis. The information is saved to a file on the Desktop named mbst-grab-results.zip and can be added as an email attachment or uploaded to a forum post to assist with troubleshooting the issue at hand.
   • Clean: Performs an automated uninstallation of all Malwarebytes products installed to the computer and prompts to install the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows afterwards. The Premium license key is backed up and reinstated. All user configurations and other data are removed. This process requires a reboot.
   •  Repair System: Includes various system-related repairs in case a Windows service is not functioning correctly that Malwarebytes for Windows is dependent on. It is not recommended to use any Repair System options unless instructed by a Malwarebytes Support agent.
   • Anonymously help the community by providing usage and threat statistics: Unchecking this option will prevent Malwarebytes Support Tool from sending anonymous telemetry data on usage of the program.
6. To provide logs for review click the Gather Logs button
7. Upon completion, click OK
8. A file named mbst-grab-results.zip will be saved to your Desktop
9. Please attach the file in your next reply.
10. To uninstall all Malwarebytes Products, click the Clean button.
11. Click the Yes button to proceed. 
12. Save all your work and click OK when you are ready to reboot.
13. After the reboot, you will have the option to re-install the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows.
14. Select Yes to install Malwarebytes.
15. Malwarebytes for Windows will open once the installation completes successfully.

Screenshots:

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

If you are having licensing issues, please do the following: 

Spoiler

For any of these issues:

• Renewals
• Refunds (including double billing)
• Cancellations
• Update Billing Info
• Multiple Transactions
• Consumer Purchases
• Transaction Receipt

Please contact our support team at https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/requests/new to get help

If you need help looking up your license details, please head here: Find my premium license key

 

 

Thanks in advance for your patience.

-The Malwarebytes Forum Team

[Porthos]

22 minutes ago, begawaw said:

uninstalled Malwarebytes and now Windows Defender is deactivated. I have tried several things to no evail. Any help would be a appreciated. Thanks!

 

Please do the following so that we may take a closer look at your installation for troubleshooting:

NOTE: The tools and the information obtained is safe and not harmful to your privacy or your computer, please allow the programs to run if blocked by your system.

 

• Download the Malwarebytes Support Tool
• In your Downloads folder, open the mb-support-x.x.x.xxx.exe file
• In the User Account Control pop-up window, click Yes to continue the installation
• Run the MBST Support Tool
• In the left navigation pane of the Malwarebytes Support Tool, click Advanced
• In the Advanced Options, click Gather Logs. A status diagram displays the tool is Getting logs from your machine
• A zip file named mbst-grab-results.zip will be saved to your desktop, please upload that file on your next reply

Thanks

[Maurice Naggar]

remarks:
A Windows Restart would be good to do, if it was not done since the Malwarebytes uninstall.
A support-tool-Gather report would help.
You may also, and should try, to use the Windows settings to see and turn on Windows Security.
Pres & hold the Windows-logo-key and tap the 'R' key to get the RUN option box of Windows.
then type in

ms-settings:windowsdefender

and tap ENTER key
Once you see the "Windows Security" screen
click on "Open Windows Security".
Take a look there to turn on Microsoft Defender. 

By the way, I wished you would have mentioned if this is on Windows 10 or whether, on Windows 11.
H T H

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello @begawaw

Please get me the logs as requested above by @Porthos

I'd like to see what is going on and if it is related to our program or not. I don't believe that it does but getting logs will help us track down and fix the issue.

Thank you

 

[begawaw]

Hello all, sorry for the late reply. Here is the log file.mbst-grab-results.zip

 

On 5/14/2022 at 1:09 PM, Maurice Naggar said:

You may also, and should try, to use the Windows settings to see and turn on Windows Security.
Pres & hold the Windows-logo-key and tap the 'R' key to get the RUN option box of Windows.
then type in

ms-settings:windowsdefender

and tap ENTER key
Once you see the "Windows Security" screen
click on "Open Windows Security".
Take a look there to turn on Microsoft Defender. 

By the way, I wished you would have mentioned if this is on Windows 10 or whether, on Windows 11.
H T H

I can open the windows defender program, but it shows "threat service has stopped. Restart it now". Even after I restart the pc it shows the same message, I am running Windows 10 64bit.

[Maurice Naggar]

Thank you for the report. I will review and will reply further. At this time, please do this one too, 

Download   Farbar's Service Scanner utility

and Save to your Desktop.

Right-Click on fss.exe and select Run As Administrator.

Answer Yes to ok when prompted.

If your firewall then puts out a prompt, again, allow it to run.

Once FSS is on-screen, be sure the following items are check-marked:

• Internet Services
  Windows Firewall
  System Restore
  Security Center/Action Center
  Windows Update
  Windows Defender
  Other services

  

Click on "Scan".

It will create a log (FSS.txt) in the same directory the tool is run.   Please attach that file. 

[Maurice Naggar]

It's odd to see that there is some policy restriction on MS Defender antivirus. That will be removed and the services for MS Defender will be turned on.
It is odd that the reports show Program Files folders on the D drive as well as on the C drive.
I noticed the Windows System Restore service & function is off.
This script will attempt to turn it on; however, after this run, you need to check to see that it is on.

This custom script is for  Begawaw  only / for this machine only.

Be very sure to Save any work-files you have open at this point. Close & Save any open edits, if any. 

We will use FRSTENGLISH  on the Downloads  folder to run a custom script.    The system will be rebooted after the script has run.

Please be sure to Close any open work files, documents,  any apps you started yourself  before starting this.

• Please save the (attached file named) FIXLIST.txt   to the   Downloads   folder

Fixlist.txt          <<< - - - - -

Then, Start the Windows Explorer and then, go  to the Downloads   folder.

RIGHT click on FRSTENGLISH   and select RUN as Administrator and allow it to proceed.  Reply YES when prompted to allow to run.

• IF Windows prompts you about running this, select YES to allow it to proceed.
• IF you get a block message from Windows about this tool......

               click line More info information on that screen
               and click button Run anyway on next screen.

• on the FRST window:

Click the Fix button just once, and wait.

You will see a green progress bar start.  When finished, the tool will make a log ( Fixlog.txt) in the same location from where it was run.

Please attach the FIXLOG.txt with your next reply later, at your next opportunity.

[begawaw]

Hello, I ran the program and here is the file it produced. FSS.txt

 

I will run that script and let you know the results, many thanks for your help.

[Maurice Naggar]

Good day. Thank you for the FSS report. I look forward to having the Fixlog report.

[AdvancedSetup]

Are you still with us @begawaw

Can you please post back the FIXLOG.TXT file?

Thank you

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Due to the lack of feedback, this topic is closed to prevent others from posting here.

If you need this topic reopened, please send a Private Message to any one of the moderating team members. Please include a link to this topic with your request.

This applies only to the originator of this topic. Other members who need assistance please start your own topic in a new thread.

Tips to help protect from infection

Thanks