How do I uninstall Windows Defender from Vista?

Question

Recently Vista downloaded a definition update that failed to install. Ever since then Defender hasn't worked. Any time it is run, such as on start up or from the Start menu, it gives me an error: 'Application failed to intialize: 0x800700c1.' I have a much better anti-spyware program on my system, and really don't need Defender. You can't uninstall Defender from the Add/Remove menu. I was just wondering if anyone knew a way to remove this broken program from my pc?

mombodog · Answer

As far as I know you cannot remove it, but it can be disabled.   Try downloading and installing definitions manually from here http://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/ADL.aspx   Be sure to follow the instructions in step 2 to install it properly.   If you get it working again, you can go to the start menu and open the Defender interface, go to Tools, then Options, scroll to the bottom and Untick 'Use Windows Defender'  Hit Save then close, Now it is disabled. (You may be able to do this even if it failed to initialize, not sure)

discostu668 · Answer

i think you just disable it in the control panel (through the security option). but anytime i've installed a proper antivirus, it has disabled automatically.

Aquayogi · Answer

Hey discost. I can't select Defender from the control panel. When I select Defender it gives me the same error again.

discostu668 · Answer

have you installed your antivirus software? sometimes that just disables windows defender automatically... at least it's done that for me.   i also don't use windows' firewall, i use the firewall from the antivirus software.  so try installing your software and then turning off windows firewall (if you have it enabled).   there is also a link posted above that may actually be the solution you're looking for.

Aquayogi · Answer

Discostu: My laptop came with McAfee security center pre-installed. I didn't recieve an install cd with it. The components McAfee are as follows: VirusScan, Firewall, Spamkiller, and Privacy Service. Windows Defender is antispyware. Is Privacy Service considered antispyware?

Aquayogi · Answer

sorry Mombo, I have tried this as well. Nothing seems to work. The sad thing is even Microsoft doesn't know how to fix this problem. That just goes to show you the idiots that work for Microsoft. I don't believe the actual definition that was downloaded was bad, something happened to Defender while the definition was installing.

mombodog · Answer

Go to Windows Services and be sure 'Windows Defender' is Not disabled in there. (double click the entry) Control Panel > Admin Tools > Services   If it is disabled, set it to Manual, and start the service, then open the Defender interface and make the changes I suggested.

Aquayogi · Answer

I went into services. Defender was set to run automatically. I changed it to manual, and tried to run it still getting the same error. I disabled the service, and tried to run it and had the same effect. Something is corrupted about the program itself. It won't initialize.

mombodog · Answer

Hold the Flag key down and tap R key, type in the following and hit OK, let it run. Restart the PC when it is done.   sfc /scannow       space between    c    and   /

Aquayogi · Answer

I tried that, and the command window opened up for a split second then closed. It was too fast to see any information.

Aquayogi · Answer

ok got it to work. had to run command prompt as administrator. It's scanning now.

Aquayogi · Answer

Ok I ran the scan and it came back as saying: Verification 98% complete. Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. Details are included in the CBS.log windir\logs\cbs\cbs.log

mombodog · Answer

How to analyze the cbs log generated by SFC   http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228/en-us   C:\Windows\Logs\cbs Message Edited by mombodog on 12-06-2007 10:25 PM

Windows General

How do I uninstall Windows Defender from Vista?

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