How to Enable Windows Defender - How to turn on Windows Defender in Windows 8.1/8 - Free & Easy

In my video tutorial I'm showing you how to Enable Windows Defender & how to turn on & turn off Windows defender in Windows 8 & Windows 8.1. If you have Windows defender disabled and need to enable Windows Defender then my video shows you what to do.

Windows Defender is a free virus and spyware protection software from Microsoft. It comes built into Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. Windows defender is a good security app if you do not want to use a third party virus and spyware protection software, for example AVG, AVAST, AVIRA, Norton or McAfee to protect your computer from all the bad stuff out there that can damage your computer.

If Windows Defender has been turned off and isn't monitoring your computer and you have no other security protection software app running to protect your computer, than watch my video and learn how to turn it on.

IMPORTANT to keep in mind:
If you are running another security protection software like Norton or McAfee then Windows Defender won't turn on. But if you have paid for a yearly subscription for another security protector I would not un-install them. If you want to use Windows Defender you must be willing to un-install those other protectors first. So you will get Windows Defender Error, actually a system not protected error or Windows Defender won't turn on error message,

In my opinion Windows defender scan is a good security protection program to use that is just as good as the free avast or avg security app. Just remember that you should always have one internet security program running and protecting your laptop computer in real time, all the time.

[badkitty]

I got the same problem and fixed it a while ago. Clicked 'turn on now'
from Action Center but nothing happened. I uninstalled McAfee from
Control Panel then I went to cmd by typing 'sc start WinDefend Enable'
and restarted my pc then I received a notification saying '2 issues
detected' at the lower right. I opened it and clicked 'turn on now'. It
worked for me. Thank you sir! :D

[jeffrightleff]

When i try to turn it on i get in a bunch of maps and files help me pls

[TheJamesJunk]

Thank you so much! I was using Kaspersky but got tired of paying $90 a year. Thanks again.

[edwardmacdonald]

Very good .Simple and easy to follow.

[natebrown]

When I click "turn on now", I'm greeted with the System 32 folder in file explorer and defender still isn't turned on. Any help on this issue?

[JW-mogr]

I like this video straight to the point and no fannying around

[TheProficy]

I've tried this and when I click on 'Turn on now' nothing happens. Windows Defender doesn't open up and my PC still thinks I have another antivirus software installed, when I recently uninstalled it because it wasn't very good. Can someone please help me fix this issue?

[dairysmoreta]

Great video! I just got ride of my Kaspersky Internet Security I have been paying $60 per year since 2011. It's a waste of money when I can get it free through Microsoft. :) Thanks again for the help.

[dianneguest]

Thank you - i was able to sort my computer out Very informative and accurate.

[trevorporter]

Thanks for your clear and concise videos, Nick.  Very Helpful.

[minpins]

Thank you so so much, I was able to turn it on again. Phew !!! You are indeed a genius

[sturncres]

Hello I have a question I have the same problem but when I click on "turn on windows defender" it's not Doing it.I try different ways and it's not doing it. So I factory reset my computer and when I check the defender it haze the same f problem.

[Mastifffriend]

Great video thank you. Why does Window Defender get turned off in the first place? This happens pretty often on my computer.

[TheOlavarria]

Missing drivers, maybe? The windows defender is not registered in the list of items under microsoft programs. It supposed to be listed and it is not there. Run- regedit - HKEY _local_machine - Software - Policies - it supposed to be listed in here and it is not!

[nishant]

Turn on now button is not in use
Help me

[moonify]

This video was helpful to me. Thank you very much, sir.

[Yousuf]

Action Center Missing or Not Opening\Working....!!? (Win 8.1) :( Do u have any solution....?

[elvinlaird]

when i click turn on it brings up system32 file please someone help me

[chefbeckster]

I am now waiting for the scan to be completed but now I am needing to know that since I removed the McAfee program...is that going to effect anything?

[haleiwahi]

What can I do if I have followed your directions but still cannot enable my Windows Defender? I have windows 8.1. When I click onto "turn on now" a box pops up saying "error code 0x80073b01"