Windows Update Registry is Missing, Windows Defender Disabled

[updef]

DESKTOP-3361TF0.zip Here it is.

[Maurice Naggar]

It took quite a long time to pore over the Autoruns report. The bad news is that these 4 Windows services just wrere not listed:
BFE
BITS
Windefend
Wuauserv

I did not see a obvious "booger" that has been making corruption problems to the services!
It may be possible to accomplish a Windows 10 repair-in-place .....if the computer gods are favorable.
These next steps can be referred to as a Windows 10 repair-install in place.
If this machine is a laptop or notebook, be sure it is connected to power thru a regular power cord to regular electric power.
( that is to say, not be on battery power).

1. Back up your personal data and files to an external hard drive, USB thumb drive.
2. Restart Windows.
3. Ensure you are signed in or have administrator rights to do a repair install
4. Unplug all external peripherals except for the Mouse, Keyboard, and LAN cable before starting. { unplug printers, copyers, fax machines, if any)

Download the Microsoft MediaCreationTool on the Microsoft page  ( SAVE to either Downloads folder, or else, to your DESKTOP )
from https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=691209

After it is completely saved.
Start the tool "MediaCreationTool22H2.exe"  and select "Upgrade this PC now."

Make sure to select " Keep personal files and apps. "

It will take some time to run & complete. Your computer will restart a few times, Make sure you don’t turn off your PC
If you see a dark screen at times, do not fret.  Just simply move the mouse pointer around the screen or press the space bar to trigger a screen display refresh.

If this succeeds, you will let me know obviously.
IF it does not, and the system still has the no MS Defender or is failing to do Windows Updates after this run, obvisouly you will let me know.
In the latter event, I will provide you the "directions" to do a brand new, clean, from the ground up, new Windows 10 setup.
 

[updef]

Hello Maurice,

I really appreciate your time and effort that you have put into this problem of mine. It may have been late hours from where you are right now but you're still up and trying to help.

This is a Desktop by the way. I already have backup and I did unplug all peripherals before running the media creation tool.

The run has been completed and I tried checking the Windows Update and Windows Defender but they are still not working.

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello. I very much regret the on-going repeating issue with updates & Microsoft Defender.

There are extremely able specialists at the Sysnative forum who could help you with the Microsoft Windows Update.

Joining the forum is free.  You just need to register and get a forum account there.  The help is free.

Just have lots of patience till you get a human-expert helper.  This is a holiday period and they stay very busy.

The main forum link is  https://www.sysnative.com/forums/

After you have an account,  then do the preliminaries suggested at this pinned topic

https://www.sysnative.com/forums/threads/windows-update-forum-posting-instructions.4736/

 

Provide them with a summary of the situation. Mention I sent you there. You may also provide them a link to this case.

Let me know if I can otherwise do anything else for you. I will plan to just place this case on hold

Sincerely

[updef]

Hello Maurice, I can't thank you enough for all the help that you have provided. I know you did your best. 
I'll provide you with an update with Sysnative, and thanks for recommending them. 

Have a great weekend.

[updef]

Hello Maurice, Just want to provide you with an update on my PC.

Earlier, I tried following the steps that you provided on the preliminaries for Sysnative. 

I stopped at step #3 because I couldn't download the ComponentScanner because the Sysnative website is under maintenance. I figured this could be due to the holiday. So I said to myself that I'll just resume it some other time.

However, I realized that I have an old PC lying around that runs on Windows 10. I dusted it off, connected a mouse and keyboard in it. And connected it to the TV to serve as a monitor. I then proceeded in creating a bootable Windows 10 USB Drive. When the drive was created, I put it in my troubled PC, rebooted and reinstall the Windows 10 OS it asked for my license key, typed it in and VOILA! Everything is back in order. I was laughing to myself because my old neglected PC saved my day. 

What an experience. Again thank you so much for all the help that you provided. I already lost hope on this case but all your effort for the past few days gave me a glimmer of hope and made me hang on and keep on trying.

Take care always. Until next time.. Ciao!    

[Maurice Naggar]

Bravo ! You managed to do a new setup of Windows 10 operating system. 👌💢👍

I am marking the case for closure. The USB you made with the MediaCreationTool is a lifesaver. It comes in very handy if you ever find you cannot start Windows and need to get to a Windows Recovery Environment. KEEP it in a SAFE spot for potential help in a rainy day.

Consider using PatchMyPC, keep all your software up-to-date - https://patchmypc.com/home-updater#download

Keep your system and programs up to date. Several programs release security updates on a regular basis to patch vulnerabilities. Keeping your software patched up prevents attackers from being able to exploit them to drop malware.

SAFETY TIPS:

Backup is your best friend.  Keep backups of your system on a regular basis to offline storage & keep those safe. https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/136226-backup-software/

It is not enough to just have a security program installed. Each pc user needs to practice daily safe computer and internet use.

Best  practices & malware prevention:
Follow best practices when browsing the Internet, especially on opening links coming from untrusted sources.
First rule of internet safety: slow down & think before you "click".
Never click links without first hovering your mouse over the link and seeing if it is going to an odd address ( one that does not fit or is odd looking or has typos).

Free games & free programs are like "candy". We do not accept them from "strangers".

Never open attachments that come with unexpected ( out of the blue ) email no matter how enticing.
Never open attachments from the email itself. Do not double click in the email. Always Save first and then scan with antivirus program.

Pay close attention when installing 3rd-party programs. It is important that you pay attention to the license agreements and installation screens when installing anything off of the Internet. If an installation screen offers you Custom or Advanced installation options, it is a good idea to select these as they will typically disclose what other 3rd party software will also be installed.
Take great care in every stage of the process and every offer screen, and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next".

Use a Standard user account rather than an administrator-rights account when "surfing" the web.
See more info on Corrine's SecurityGarden Blog http://securitygarden.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_7.html

Only using the Standard-access-level user account when surfing and downloading / installing would have been a tremendous way to prevent the infections of this machine.

Don't remove ( or change )  your current login. Just use the new Standard-user-level one for everyday use while on the internet.

 

Keep your system and programs up to date. Several programs release security updates on a regular basis to patch vulnerabilities. Keeping your software patched up prevents attackers from being able to exploit them to drop malware.

For other added tips, read "10 easy ways to prevent malware infection"  

Stay safe.