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| TROUBLESHOOTING WINDOWS DEFENDER IN VISTA |
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| Cannot Update Windows Defender !? |
| If you ever encounter an error code (eg "error code 0x80240029 - cannot update" which btw is the most common one), when updating Defender, here is a solution which will help you. This usually happens if the distribution database is broken and needs to be re-created. |
| Here are the solutions to address the issue : |
1) As far as Vista goes (don't know if this applies to XP) you can do this by clicking start > all programs > windows updates> change settings > uncheck Automatic Updates, Uncheck Recommended Updates and uncheck use Microsoft Update Service. this will switch from Microsoft Update back to using Windows Update.
Reboot. If it works for you fine; you can now reset the update settings to as they were earlier. |
| 2) I also came across this download from Microsoft (Vista/XP). This actually FORCES defender to update ! |
| To manually download the latest definition updates for Windows Defender: |
| Download mpas-fe.exe for 32-bit version |
| Download mpas-fe.exe for 32-bit version |
| Save it to your desktop. 'Run As Administrator' this mpas-fe.exe |
| When the definition file runs, a file extraction dialog box appears. After the file extraction dialog box closes, verify that the Windows Defender definitions have been updated. |
| 3) To manually update Windows Defender visit Microsofts Malware Protection Center for instructions. |
4) Lastly if none work, there is another way you can try this:
Boot into safe mode. Find the folder named Software Distribution.
Rename SoftwareDistribution to SoftwareDistribution.old OR Delete all its contents (FLUSH it !)
Reboot. Now try to update the Defender (at this point a new SoftwareDistribution folder will be created if you have renamed it). |
| Additional help can always be found at Microsofts Windows Defender HelpGroup. |
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Some Imp Help Links:
How to troubleshoot definition update issues for Windows Defender
Windows Defender could not automatically update the definitions.
Troubleshooting Windows Defender. |
If you get Check for new definitions warning, after you install Windows Defender
If you get error message : Windows Defender Definitions haven't been updated |
| How To uninstall Windows Defender in Vista. |
| Though I have not tried this personally, this is one way recommended on the internet. It is said to have worked, for some. Try it only if you are keen to uninstall Defender. Run the following command: |
| msiexec /uninstall windowsdefender.msi /quiet /log uninstall.log |
| Must add that I do not advise trying to uninstall Windows Defender, as uninstalling / deleting Windows Defender in Vista as it is well integrated with the OS. It is also known to cause other irritants later on. A better option would be to disable it instead. |
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| ERROR : MSASCui.exe - Unable To Locate Component |
MSASCui.exe - Unable To Locate Component
This application has failed to start because MpRtMon.DLL was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem. |
| If your Windows Defender gives this error on your XP, one would normally try to uninstall Windows Defender and then try to install it again. But you cant do that in Vista, as Defender is integrated the OS. There is also no way you can really uninstall Defender without facing other issues. Moreover, if you try to install Defender over your earlier installation, you will probably get a message that you don't need to install the program because
it already comes with Vista. There will also be no option to continue the installation. The installation will just stop. |
| Well if your Windows Defender throws up this error on your Windows Vista here is what you can try ! |
First 'Run' System File Checker.
To do this first type cmd in the Search Bar but DONT hit enter. Rt-Click on cmd and choose Run as Administrator.
The copy-paste the following command and hit enter. |
sfc /scannow |
All your system files will be scanned and if all your files are in order, you will see a message "Windows
Resource Protection did not find any Integrity violations". However, if something is amiss, it will attempt to replace the corrupt system files. Best to have the Vista DVD handy! |
MSASCui.exe is the Defender's User Interface application situated in C:\Program Files\Windows Defender folder.
MpRtMon.dll is Defender's 'Realtime Monitor' dll, situated in C:\Program files\Windows Defender folder. |
| However its copies can also be found in the following folder/s : |
| C:\windows\winsxs\x86_security-malware-windows-defender_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16386_none_5585eece5b4407f1 |
| C:\windows\winsxs\x86_security-malware-windows-defender_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.16420_none_55c0ce805b18c568 |
| C:\windows\winsxs\x86_security-malware-windows-defender_31bf3856ad364e35_6.0.6000.20516_none_565b3cf37428e14b |
| You will have to 'unhide hidden files' and 'show system files' from the Folder Options, to be able to see them. |
| The last numerals may differ, but essentially these are the folders. The /winsxs/ folder is the native assembly cache. Libraries which are shared by multiple programs are stored there. You may also find different versions of the same dll files in these folders. Login as Administrator and try to replace the dll in the /Windows Defender/ folder with one of these dll's. Reboot and see if it helps. |
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| Cannot Enable Windows Defender in Vista ? |
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If you are unable to enable Windows Defender in Vista, or if Windows Security Center continues to prompt you to "Check Settings" for the Malware Protection, and even on clicking "Turn on now" button, you get an error: "There are no new definitions available to download for Windows Defender", or if even after enabling Windows Defender in the "Turn Windows Features on or off" options, does not enable Defender, it is quite probable that the issue has been caused due to an inconsistent WMI repository. Restarting the WMI repository should thus resolve the issue. |
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| Click Start > Type CMD in search > Hit enter. From the results, rt-click Command Prompt and select 'Run as Administrator'.
Type the following command: |
winmgmt /verifyrepository |
| If you get a message "WMI repository is not consistent" , run the following command: |
winmgmt /salvagerepository |
This will perform a consistency check on the WMI repository and resolve the issue.
Restart your machine. Try enabling Windows Defender now. |
| On the other hand, you get the following message instead: |
| winmgmt /salvagerepository is failed. |
| Ignore this message, and run "winmgmt /salvagerepository" . |
Incidentally, if you find that Windows Defender is taking a long time to perform a full scan, you should try and remove the Temporary Internet Files and other applog files. If you wish to Report Spyware information to Microsoft, you can do so here. |
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These Links may Interest You:
Troubleshooting Windows Updates in Vista
Troubleshooting Internet Explorer 7 in Vista |
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