Windows 10: Turning on Defender

Discus and support Turning on Defender in Windows 10 Software and Apps to solve the problem; Today my Microsoft 365 Personal automatically renews. I understand this includes Defender. Do I need to still pay for McAfee? Will Defender... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Software and Apps' started by Liz Waine, Mar 14, 2025 at 6:12 AM.

  1. Liz Waine Win User

    Turning on Defender


    Today my Microsoft 365 Personal automatically renews. I understand this includes Defender. Do I need to still pay for McAfee? Will Defender automatically turn on on my lap top or do I need to do something?

    :)
     

  2. WINDOWS DEFENDER is turned off

    Hi Ahmed,

    Since you're not able to turn on Windows Defender as well, we'd like to know if you have made any changes recently prior to this issue. In the meantime, you may follow the steps below on how to turn on Windows Defender manually:

    • Type Windows Defender in the Search bar and press
      Enter.
    • Go to Settings and make sure that the Turn on real-time protection recommended option is turned on.
    Same thing with the other members who are having the same issue, we suggest that you check if the service was setup to
    Automatic in the Services option. Please follow the steps that we've provided last
    September 3, 2017.

    Let us know how if you were able to turn it on properly by changing the Startup type to Automatic.
     
  3. windows defender turned off.....................

    @atramsuraj: You can
    read this post
    and follow the given steps to re-enable your Windows Defender. And, by the way:

    • What OS are you running?
    • Are you also using 3rd-party security program? If so, please consider disabling it, as some could turn off Windows Defender automatically.
     
  4. Mala_S Win User

    Turning on Defender

    Windows Defender of Windows 10 stoped working and is not turning on

    Hello NasirMahmood1,

    Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community forum.

    Have you installed any third party anti-virus software?

    Step 1: Turn Windows Defender Service On.

    Initially, we need to check with the status of
    Windows Defender Service which might be stopping the defender to turn on.

    • Press Windows key + R and type
      services.msc and press Enter key.
    • Search for Windows Defender Service and check if it has been started.
    • Right click on Windows Defender Service and click on
      Restart.

    Step 2: Turn On Windows Defender Antivirus using Group Policy.

    As you are on Windows 10 Pro build, I would suggest
    gpedit.msc
    settings from the following link and set it to Disabled or not configured to
    turn on real time protection setting. Follow the steps mentioned under
    Disable real-time protection from the article-
    Enable and configure antivirus always-on protection and monitoring
    .

    Hope it helps.

    Regards,

    Mala S

    Microsoft Community – Moderator
     
Thema:

Turning on Defender

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