Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SecurityHealthService]
"DependOnService"=hex(7):52,00,70,00,63,00,53,00,73,00,00,00,00,00
"Description"="@%systemroot%\\system32\\SecurityHealthAgent.dll,-1001"
"DisplayName"="@%systemroot%\\system32\\SecurityHealthAgent.dll,-1002"
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
"FailureActions"=hex:80,51,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,14,00,00,\
00,01,00,00,00,60,ea,00,00,01,00,00,00,60,ea,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00
"ImagePath"=hex(2):22,00,25,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,46,00,69,00,\
6c,00,65,00,73,00,25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,\
00,44,00,65,00,66,00,65,00,6e,00,64,00,65,00,72,00,5c,00,4d,00,73,00,4d,00,\
70,00,45,00,6e,00,67,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,22,00,00,00
"LaunchProtected"=dword:00000002
"ObjectName"="LocalSystem"
"RequiredPrivileges"=hex(7):53,00,65,00,49,00,6d,00,70,00,65,00,72,00,73,00,6f,\
00,6e,00,61,00,74,00,65,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,\
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00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,52,00,65,00,73,00,\
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00,00,00,53,00,65,00,44,00,65,00,62,00,75,00,67,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,\
69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,43,00,68,00,61,00,6e,00,67,\
00,65,00,4e,00,6f,00,74,00,69,00,66,00,79,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,\
6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,53,00,65,00,63,00,75,00,72,00,69,\
00,74,00,79,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,\
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00,72,00,79,00,54,00,6f,00,6b,00,65,00,6e,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,\
6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,54,00,63,00,62,00,50,00,72,00,69,\
00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,\
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00,74,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,\
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00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,00,00
"ServiceSidType"=dword:00000001
"Start"=dword:00000003
"Type"=dword:00000010
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SecurityHealthService\Security]
"Security"=hex:01,00,14,80,1c,01,00,00,28,01,00,00,14,00,00,00,30,00,00,00,02,\
00,1c,00,01,00,00,00,02,80,14,00,ff,00,0f,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00,\
00,00,02,00,ec,00,08,00,00,00,00,00,18,00,9d,00,02,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,\
05,20,00,00,00,21,02,00,00,00,00,14,00,9d,01,02,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,05,\
12,00,00,00,00,00,18,00,9d,01,02,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,05,20,00,00,00,20,\
02,00,00,00,00,14,00,9d,00,02,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,05,04,00,00,00,00,00,\
14,00,9d,00,02,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,05,06,00,00,00,00,00,28,00,fd,01,02,\
00,01,06,00,00,00,00,00,05,50,00,00,00,e5,fe,79,5f,a0,ae,0d,3b,22,fa,0a,c9,\
01,5a,41,3a,e5,a6,4a,b7,00,00,28,00,ff,01,0f,00,01,06,00,00,00,00,00,05,50,\
00,00,00,b5,89,fb,38,19,84,c2,cb,5c,6c,23,6d,57,00,77,6e,c0,02,64,87,00,00,\
28,00,ff,01,0f,00,01,06,00,00,00,00,00,05,50,00,00,00,db,8c,74,0f,c2,72,73,\
f3,2b,26,b9,44,77,1e,4f,02,76,63,b5,21,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,05,12,00,00,00,\
01,01,00,00,00,00,00,05,12,00,00,00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDefend]
"DependOnService"=hex(7):52,00,70,00,63,00,53,00,73,00,00,00,00,00
"Description"="@%ProgramFiles%\\Windows Defender\\MpAsDesc.dll,-240"
"DisplayName"="Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service"
"ErrorControl"=dword:00000001
"FailureActions"=hex:80,51,01,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,14,00,00,\
00,01,00,00,00,e8,03,00,00,01,00,00,00,10,27,00,00,01,00,00,00,60,ea,00,00
"ImagePath"=hex(2):22,00,43,00,3a,00,5c,00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,\
6d,00,44,00,61,00,74,00,61,00,5c,00,4d,00,69,00,63,00,72,00,6f,00,73,00,6f,\
00,66,00,74,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,00,44,00,\
65,00,66,00,65,00,6e,00,64,00,65,00,72,00,5c,00,50,00,6c,00,61,00,74,00,66,\
00,6f,00,72,00,6d,00,5c,00,34,00,2e,00,31,00,38,00,2e,00,32,00,32,00,30,00,\
35,00,2e,00,37,00,2d,00,30,00,5c,00,4d,00,73,00,4d,00,70,00,45,00,6e,00,67,\
00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,22,00,00,00
"LaunchProtected"=dword:00000003
"ObjectName"="LocalSystem"
"RequiredPrivileges"=hex(7):53,00,65,00,49,00,6d,00,70,00,65,00,72,00,73,00,6f,\
00,6e,00,61,00,74,00,65,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,\
65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,42,00,61,00,63,00,6b,00,75,00,70,00,50,00,72,00,69,\
00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,52,00,65,00,73,00,\
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00,00,00,53,00,65,00,44,00,65,00,62,00,75,00,67,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,\
69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,43,00,68,00,61,00,6e,00,67,\
00,65,00,4e,00,6f,00,74,00,69,00,66,00,79,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,\
6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,4c,00,6f,00,61,00,64,00,44,00,72,\
00,69,00,76,00,65,00,72,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,\
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00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,53,00,\
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00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,49,00,6e,00,63,00,72,00,65,00,61,00,\
73,00,65,00,51,00,75,00,6f,00,74,00,61,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,\
00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,41,00,73,00,73,00,69,00,67,00,6e,00,\
50,00,72,00,69,00,6d,00,61,00,72,00,79,00,54,00,6f,00,6b,00,65,00,6e,00,50,\
00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,54,00,\
63,00,62,00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,\
00,65,00,49,00,6e,00,63,00,72,00,65,00,61,00,73,00,65,00,42,00,61,00,73,00,\
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00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,\
65,00,6d,00,45,00,6e,00,76,00,69,00,72,00,6f,00,6e,00,6d,00,65,00,6e,00,74,\
00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,53,00,65,00,\
54,00,61,00,6b,00,65,00,4f,00,77,00,6e,00,65,00,72,00,73,00,68,00,69,00,70,\
00,50,00,72,00,69,00,76,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,00,00,00,00
"ServiceSidType"=dword:00000001
"Start"=dword:00000003
"Type"=dword:00000010
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDefend\Security]
"Security"=hex:01,00,14,80,cc,00,00,00,d8,00,00,00,14,00,00,00,30,00,00,00,02,\
00,1c,00,01,00,00,00,02,80,14,00,ff,01,0f,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00,\
00,00,02,00,9c,00,06,00,00,00,00,00,18,00,9d,01,02,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,\
05,20,00,00,00,21,02,00,00,00,00,14,00,9d,01,02,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,05,\
12,00,00,00,00,00,18,00,9d,01,02,00,01,02,00,00,00,00,00,05,20,00,00,00,20,\
02,00,00,00,00,14,00,9d,01,02,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,05,04,00,00,00,00,00,\
14,00,9d,01,02,00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,05,06,00,00,00,00,00,28,00,ff,01,0f,\
00,01,06,00,00,00,00,00,05,50,00,00,00,bf,55,08,72,3b,e0,28,d0,89,79,4b,f8,\
91,89,6e,7c,40,25,ec,f4,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,05,12,00,00,00,01,01,00,00,00,\
00,00,05,12,00,00,00
;Remove Defender Policies
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Advanced Threat Protection]
[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center]
In the digital age, protecting your system from malware and other cyber threats is more crucial than ever. Windows Defender, now known as Microsoft Defender Antivirus, comes built into Windows 11 as a formidable line of defense against these threats. However, sometimes, users may encounter issues where the software misbehaves, fails to provide adequate protection, or needs to be reset for various reasons. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of resetting Windows Defender in Windows 11, ensuring your system remains secure and well-maintained.
Understanding Windows Defender
Windows Defender is Microsoft’s built-in antivirus solution designed to safeguard users against malicious software, including viruses, spyware, ransomware, and more. It offers real-time protection, automatic updates, and an array of additional features.
Benefits of Windows Defender
- Integrated Security: As a built-in feature in Windows 11, it requires no separate installation.
- Automatic Updates: Regular updates ensure protection against the latest threats.
- User-Friendly Interface: Its straightforward design makes it accessible for users of all skill levels.
- Performance: Optimized for Windows, it runs efficiently with minimal system impact.
- Controlled Folder Access: Prevents unauthorized changes to your files.
- Cloud-Based Protection: Leverages cloud data to enhance detection capabilities.
Despite these advantages, there may be times you need to reset Windows Defender due to issues like sluggish performance, incorrect threat detection, or misconfigured settings. Let’s delve into the step-by-step process of resetting Windows Defender.
Preparing to Reset Windows Defender
Prior to resetting Windows Defender, it’s wise to back up your settings or configurations as necessary. While resetting typically does not erase personal files or data, it may revert some custom settings.
Backup Windows Defender Settings
- Open Windows Defender: Click on the Start menu, type «Windows Security,» and hit Enter.
- Export Settings: Although Windows Defender does not have a native feature to export settings, note down any custom configurations you may have implemented, such as exclusions or scheduled scans.
Methods for Resetting Windows Defender
There are several methods to reset Windows Defender: through Settings, using the Command Prompt, or employing PowerShell. Let’s explore each method step-by-step.
Method 1: Resetting Through Windows Security Settings
-
Access Windows Security:
- Press the Windows key or click on the Start Menu.
- Type Windows Security, and press Enter.
-
Navigate to Virus & Threat Protection:
- Click on Virus & threat protection from the left sidebar.
- Scroll down and click on Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings.
-
Restore Default Settings:
- Scroll down to the Notifications and Actions section.
- Look for an option that says Restore settings to their default values. Click this link.
- Confirm any prompts that follow to execute the reset process.
Method 2: Resetting Using Command Prompt
For users comfortable with command-line tools, the Command Prompt offers an efficient means to reset settings.
-
Open Command Prompt:
- Right-click on the Start Menu and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin) if preferred.
- If prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow changes.
-
Enter Reset Command:
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
Cd "%ProgramFiles%Windows Defender" - Follow with this command to reset:
MpCmdRun.exe -reset - Wait for the process to complete. You may receive a confirmation message once done.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
-
Close the Command Prompt:
- Type exit and hit Enter, then close the Command Prompt window.
Method 3: Resetting Using PowerShell
For a more advanced method, PowerShell can also reset Windows Defender effectively.
-
Open PowerShell:
- Press Windows key + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) or search for PowerShell in the Start Menu and run it as an administrator.
-
Use PowerShell Commands:
- To reset Windows Defender, enter this command:
Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $false - This command re-enables the real-time monitoring aspect of Windows Defender.
- If you’re looking to reset all configurations, you can run:
Remove-MpPreference - Confirm any prompts and allow the process to finish.
- To reset Windows Defender, enter this command:
-
Exit PowerShell:
- Type exit and press Enter.
Additional Troubleshooting and Configuration
After resetting Windows Defender, you may need to go through additional configurations to restore your preferred settings or ensure protection is optimized.
-
Check Your Protection History:
- Return to the Windows Security app and check the Protection History to review any missed notifications or actions by Windows Defender.
-
Reconfigure Exclusions (if necessary):
- If you had previously configured any folder or file exclusions, navigate back to:
- Virus & threat protection > Manage settings.
- Scroll to Exclusions and re-add the necessary files or folders.
- If you had previously configured any folder or file exclusions, navigate back to:
-
Review Scheduled Scans:
- If you custom-scheduled scans, ensure to reconfigure this under:
- Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection settings > Advanced settings.
- If you custom-scheduled scans, ensure to reconfigure this under:
-
Enable Cloud-Delivered Protection:
- In the same Manage settings area, ensure the cloud-delivered protection toggle is turned on to take advantage of enhanced threat detection capabilities.
-
Update Windows Defender:
- Regularly check for updates through Windows Update to ensure Windows Defender is equipped with the latest definitions.
Common Issues with Windows Defender
While resetting Windows Defender can resolve many issues, users may still encounter problems. Here are some of the more common issues and their potential solutions:
Windows Defender Won’t Turn On
-
Windows services might be disabled:
- Ensure that the Windows Defender services are running by checking Services in the Control Panel.
-
Conflicting Antivirus Software:
- If you have third-party antivirus software installed, Windows Defender may automatically disable itself. Uninstall conflicting software if you wish to use Defender exclusively.
High CPU Usage
-
Scheduled Scans Might Be Running:
- If you notice high CPU usage, it may be due to ongoing scans. You can pause or reschedule scans to manage performance better.
-
Update Regularly:
- Ensure that Windows Defender is up-to-date, as older versions may have bugs that contribute to high resource usage.
Frequent Notifications
-
Adjust Notification Settings:
- Modify your notification settings in the Windows Security app to reduce the frequency of alerts.
-
Check Action Center Settings:
- You can regulate notifications through the Action Center settings in Windows settings.
Conclusion
Resetting Windows Defender in Windows 11 is usually a straightforward process that can resolve multiple issues ranging from misconfiguration to performance bugs. By following the outlined steps, you will ensure that your system remains secure and responsive to threats. A reset can also serve as a wake-up call to evaluate your security practices, enhance your digital hygiene, and adapt to ideally avoid threats in the first place.
Always keep in mind that while Windows Defender is a robust security solution, maintaining good digital habits—such as avoiding suspicious links, keeping your software updated, and regularly checking your system for any anomalies—will help fortify your defenses.
Final Thoughts
Although ensuring your Windows Defender is functioning optimally is crucial, it’s also recommended to supplement it with safe browsing habits, vigilant downloading practices, and periodic backups. Cybersecurity is a collective responsibility shared by both the software and its user—remain informed, vigilant, and proactive in safeguarding your digital life.
Download Windows Speedup Tool to fix errors and make PC run faster
If Windows Security is crashing or not opening, you can reset and re-register the Windows Security app and get the issue fixed. In this post, we will show you the 3 quick and easy ways to reset or repair Windows Security or reinstall Windows Defender in Windows 11/10.
You can perform this task in either of four ways to reset or repair Windows Security or reinstall Windows Defender:
- From Windows Settings
- From Start Menu
- Via PowerShell
- Via Command Prompt
Let’s see a description of the process involved with each of the methods.
1] Repair or Reset Windows Security via Settings
To repair or reset Windows Security open the Windows Settings app, and select System settings from the left side.
On the right side, click on System Components.
Next, locate Windows Security and click on the 3-dots link to show the Advanced options flyout. Click on it.
Now you will see the options to Repair or Reset the Windows Security app.
Choose the option you desire, click the button, and wait for the process to complete.
2] Reset Windows Security app from Start Menu
You can also reset Windows Security app directly from the Start Menu:
- Press the Win+I key on the keyboard to open Settings.
- Click on App settings on the left side
- The System components page for Windows Security will open
- Here you can click on the Repair or Reset button.
- Wait for the process to complete, and then exit Settings.
3] Reset Windows Security app in PowerShell
Do the following:
- Press Windows key + X to open the Power User Menu.
- Then press i on the keyboard to launch PowerShell.
- In the PowerShell console, type in or copy and paste the command below and hit Enter.
Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.Windows.SecHealthUI* | Reset-AppxPackage
Once the command executes, you can exit the PowerShell console.
4] Reinstall and re-register Windows Security app in Command Prompt
Do the following:
- Press Windows key + R to invoke the Run dialog.
- In the Run dialog box, type
cmdand hit Enter to open Command Prompt. - In the command prompt window, type or copy and paste the command below and hit Enter.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.Windows.SecHealthUI*).InstallLocation + '\AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}"
That’s it!
Related post: How to Reset Windows Security Security Settings to default values in Windows.
What will happen if I reset Windows Security?
When you reset Windows Security, everything from your security key will be deleted and reset to factory defaults. All data and credentials will be cleared. In short, all data belonging to this app will be cleared.
Anand Khanse is the Admin of TheWindowsClub.com, a 10-year Microsoft MVP (2006-16) & a Windows Insider MVP (2016-2022). Please read the entire post & the comments first, create a System Restore Point before making any changes to your system & be careful about any 3rd-party offers while installing freeware.
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Security
By
Bhishu Acharya
Windows Security is an in-built antivirus program that prevents your PC from any security threat. With this feature turned on, you do not necessarily require other third-party software.
Due to a corrupted registry or issues in Windows service, Windows Defender may not work. This will leave your computer vulnerable to several malware and viruses. In this case, it’s best to reset Windows Security.
So, if there are any underlying issues and you want to reset this program, we have included four methods to do it correctly.
Terminate, Repair, and Reset in Windows Settings
The most convenient way to reset Windows Security is from the Settings application. Interestingly, there are few other options than just resetting the program. So, let’s discuss them first:
- Terminate: Terminating will simply bring Windows Security to an end. Basically, it ends the process running with or without your knowledge.
- Repair: Repairing Windows Security will simply try to fix any underlying issues within the antivirus software. So, running a repair won’t affect any data.
- Reset: If you’re suspicious regarding the data, you can remove it all at once using the Reset option. Interestingly, resetting erases everything and starts from the beginning. Thus, this should be the last option you should try.
Now, you can move ahead with the following steps that will guide you on how to reset, repair, or terminate Windows Security on your PC:
- Using Windows + I, navigate to Settings.
- From the left panel, choose Apps, and now click on Apps & Features from the right.
- Under App list, search for Windows Security.
- Once you see the program, tap on the Kebab menu beside it. Here, choose Advanced options.
Alternatively, you can directly search for Windows Security in the Start Menu, right-click on it, and choose App Settings.
- Scroll down, and you’ll find two options – one for Terminate and another for Reset. Click on the Terminate button if you wish to stop Windows Security processes.
- Well, you’ll find two options under Reset – Repair and Reset. We recommend repairing the antivirus first. If it doesn’t solve your issue, press the Reset button.
- Again, click on the Reset button to confirm.
Note: Although there’s an Uninstall option, the button is unclickable. This is because Windows Security is directly associated with the operating system, and there’s no possible way to remove it completely from your PC.
Restore Default Settings From Control Panel
If you’re looking to restore all settings within the Windows Defender Firewall, it’s possible from Control Panel. However, doing so might make some of your apps stop working and erases every setting you have tweaked. Here’s what you need to do:
- Open Control Panel from the Start Menu.
- Next, choose System and Security.
- Then, click on Windows Defender Firewall.
- From the left panel, select Restore defaults.
- Now, click on the Restore defaults button.
- Once the confirmation message appears, choose Yes.
Reset Appx Package in Windows Powershell
Well, another technique of resetting Windows Security is from Windows Powershell. Here, all you have to do is input command, and the process begins itself.
But before proceeding, you need to understand what Appx Package is about. Basically, it is a file format that installs and distributes certain application packages in Windows.
So, in this method, we will reset the Windows Security package and restore it to default. Here’s how you can do just that:
- First of all, right-click on the Start Menu and choose Windows Terminal (Admin). This runs Windows Powershell as the administrator.
- Now, copy and paste the following command there:
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.SecHealthUI | Reset-AppxPackage
Or, if you want to restore the Windows Defender Firewall, here’s what you need to type:
(New-Object -ComObject HNetCfg.FwPolicy2).RestoreLocalFirewallDefaults() - Then, wait for a few moments until the Appx Package is reset, which restores the Windows Security to its default.
- Finally, restart your computer and check for the changes.
Reset Windows Security in Command Prompt
Like in Windows Powershell, it’s possible to reset Windows Security in the Command Prompt. If you’re looking to know their difference, here’s our article on PowerShell vs. CMD.
Go through the following steps on how to reset Windows Security in CMD:
- Click on the magnifying icon and search for Command Prompt.
- Then, run it as an administrator.
- Once you navigate to the CMD window, type the following command:
secedit /configure /cfg %windir%\inf\defltbase.inf /db defltbase.sdb /verbose
However, if you want to reset the Windows Defender Firewall, here’s the appropriate command for it:netsh advfirewall reset - Hit Enter and wait until the reset is complete.
- Finally, restart your device, and you’ll notice that all the Windows Security settings are restored to default.
When Should I Reset Windows Security or Windows Defender?
If Windows Security or Windows Defender is turned off, your device may be vulnerable to multiple threats. So, if this program has a problem, we recommend resetting it to resolve everything and restarting the service from scratch.
Unfortunately, all basic services, like user accounts, sign-in details, family controls, etc., will be erased. Nonetheless, Windows Security will function smoothly if you do so. Here, we have listed when you should reset Windows Security:
- Windows Security or Windows Defender is not turning on
- One or many Windows Security features stops working
- You need to troubleshoot a network connectivity issue
- You want to remove all standard users from the Users group
- Windows Troubleshooter isn’t working
How to Reset the Windows Security app in Windows 10
Recent Windows 10 version come with is a new app called Windows Security. The application, formerly known as «Windows Defender Dashboard» and «Windows Defender Security Center», has been created to help the user control his security and privacy settings in a clear and useful way.
It includes all the settings related to the Defender antivirus, and much more. The application unifies many useful security options you might want to track and control. The user interface of the Windows Security app comes with a toolbar on the left and the main area which occupies the rest of window area. Once you open the application, it shows a special start page, that organizes settings into categories like Virus & threat protection, Device performance & health, Firewall & network protection, Family options, and more.
You can launch Windows Security from the Start menu or with a special shortcut. Alternatively, you can access it using its tray icon.
If the Windows Security app doesn’t open, is crashing, or doesn’t work properly, you can try to reset it using one of the following methods.
- Open the Start menu.
- Locate the Windows Security shortcut and right-click on it.
- Select More > App Settings from the context menu.
- The Advanced options page for the Windows Security app will open. There, go to the Reset section.
- There, click on the Reset button, and confirm the operation.
- You can now close the Settings app.
You are done.
Tip: If you type Windows Security in the search box in the taskbar, you will be able to directly open the Advanced options page for the app by clicking on the App settings link.
Alternatively, you can use PowerShell to reset the Windows Security app.
Reset Windows Security in Windows 10 using PowerShell
- Open PowerShell as Administrator. Tip: You can add «Open PowerShell As Administrator» context menu.
- Type or copy-paste the following command:
Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.Windows.SecHealthUI* | Reset-AppxPackage. - The above command works starting in Windows 10 Build 20175, so if it is not available in your Windows 10, use the following alternative:
& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.Windows.SecHealthUI*).InstallLocation + '\AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}. - Restart Windows 10. Actually, both the commands should work without restarting the PC.
That’s it.
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