Windows exploit protection area in security settings appears to be broken.

[NuggetMcSqueak]

Recently I tried to check to see if my Windows defender settings were still as they were, as I usually do after any update, and I noticed that the exploit protection settings options were all blank, which was strange as I had them all turned on previously, and upon trying to change them to on by default I got an error saying "Unexpected error. Sorry, We ran into a problem. Please try again. " I've tried several times and I get the same error everytime. 

I've also noticed a new setting that was there in the previous update called Kernel mode hardware enforced stack protection is missing altogether, and that tamper protection appears to be managed by an administrator, which is very strange seeing that I have no administrators.
Simply clicking and scrolling through settings also seems to prompt the random appearance of the error message I described previously.
I'm unsure if this is some sort of malware issue, or maybe a possible error that occurred in a previous update. 

Any help would be appreciated, thank you! 

[AdvancedSetup]

To begin, please do the following so that we may take a closer look at your installation for troubleshooting: @NuggetMcSqueak

NOTE: The tools and the information obtained are 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 the Public desktop, please upload that file on your next reply

Thank you

 

[NuggetMcSqueak]

Here are the logs. 
 

mbst-grab-results.zip

[AdvancedSetup]

The logs indicate an ongoing issue with the SecurityHealth service.

As you had issues a couple of times now I would recommend you try doing the following repair process.

 

Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/repair-install-windows-11-with-an-in-place-upgrade.418/

 

If that does not resolve your issue then backing up your personal data and doing a Clean install of Windows would be indicated.

 

Clean Install Windows 10 & 11 (2023)
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/clean-install-windows-10-11-2023/1c426bdf-79b1-4d42-be93-17378d93e587

 

Try the Repair and keep me posted @NuggetMcSqueak

 

[NuggetMcSqueak]

Is this an issue related to any kind of malware? 
Also are there any other solutions that don't require a clean reinstall of windows? I'd like to add that as of restarting my computer just now the settings seems to be fine, however I'm still missing that Kernel mode hardware enforced stack protection option I mentioned earlier.

[NuggetMcSqueak]

Oh sorry I misread the first solution you sent, how likely is it that this fix will completely solve my issue? 
Another question, where would I download the files needed to do an in-place upgrade?

[AdvancedSetup]

I don't know if it will solve your issue or not but I do know that a CLEAN install will. As for the Kernel mode hardware enforced stack protection I would ignore that. Microsoft already says customers will see that.

Do the REPAIR install.

Then check for and install ALL Windows updates found when scanning for updates.

 

[AdvancedSetup]

29 minutes ago, NuggetMcSqueak said:

Another question, where would I download the files needed to do an in-place upgrade?

This link should have all the information on how to perform the update, including any links needed.

Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade
https://www.elevenforum.com/t/repair-install-windows-11-with-an-in-place-upgrade.418/

 

[AdvancedSetup]

It looks like STEP 3 has the links for ISO image downloads

 

[NuggetMcSqueak]

Ok, that's good to know, and alright I will do the repair install as soon as I can, also sorry but I'm a bit confused about your wording, do you think there is a chance the repair install will fix this issue? Or are you saying the only way to completely fix this would be the clean install?

And alright, I'll check step 3.

[AdvancedSetup]

The REPAIR install seems to fix about 99% of ALL issues. But every once in a while it does not fix some issues.

Corrupted profiles or Registry databases that have been abused by Registry Cleaning tools often cannot be fixed.

 

[NuggetMcSqueak]

Oh ok, how likely does it seem that I may have one of those issues that wouldnt be fixed with just the repair install? I've been having this issue with Windows defender randomly seemingly breaking and then being seemingly completely fine upon simply restarting for a while now, but the fact that it's reoccurring makes it seem more serious.

[AdvancedSetup]

I would like to believe it will fix it. It really doesn't take all that long to run it. A couple hours at most for most systems unless you have a really old or slow system.

 

[NuggetMcSqueak]

Also, how serious is this issue if it is simply left unchecked? I've been having this issue for a while as I said, and nothing major has seem to come from it other than being a minor annoyance. 

My main issue with possibly having to do a clean reset of my computer is that I think there's a high chance of making my issues worse because my computer is an HP prebuilt, and I'm not the most experienced when it comes to resetting computers.

I'd most likely have to send it in to HP to avoid messing anything up, and I'm not sure if my warranty would cover this issue.

[AdvancedSetup]

Most OEM vendors provide fully automated methods to reset the computer back to the way it was when you first bought it.

You would need to have all your personal data backed up to an external drive though as doing a FULL restore would remove ALL data and put it back to the way it was when you first got the computer.

 

It looks like the computer is fairly new

BIOS: AMI F.20 03/15/2023
Motherboard: HP 89EB
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5700G with Radeon Graphics

 

What is the exact model number of the computer?

Is it a Laptop or Desktop?

 

[NuggetMcSqueak]

Oh really? And It's a desktop, it's the HP Omen 25L I believe.

[NuggetMcSqueak]

And alright, I'm fine with my data being gone, it was just games that are saved online anyway.

Is this way of resetting a computer typically simpler?

[AdvancedSetup]

Here are some links on how to do a System Restore

HP PCs - Reset the computer
https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/omen-desktop-pc-25l-gt11-0000a/33492315/document/ish_2026006-1490761-16

Perform an HP System Recovery
https://support.hp.com/us-en/help/computer/system-recovery

 

The computer should still be under support warranty. You could also contact HP Support and ask them to assist you in doing a Factory Restore of Windows 11

 

[NuggetMcSqueak]

Oh ok thank you, should I try doing a restore or a full reset first? 

[AdvancedSetup]

Again, back up any data you want to keep. A full reset would be the best, but all data is deleted when you do that.

 

[NuggetMcSqueak]

Ok, in the options for the reset in the windows settings that's shown in the HP reset link you sent, there are 2 options from what I remember, as I had to do the same for my laptop, one is to keep all your files, and the other will erase everything. Which one should I do? I'm assuming the reset everything option correct?

[AdvancedSetup]

Please contact HP Support. I do not own any HP computers and have not supported them now for almost a decade.

They will be able to direct you properly for your system.

Thanks