Forum Discussion
TayDean
Feb 11, 2023Copper Contributor
Windows Security won't open on Windows 11
I have tried everything I can think of, I've had two friends who deal with IT problems look at my computer via shared screen with no luck. Since updating to Windows 11 I never noticed Windows Securit...
Mark_Albin
Feb 12, 2023Brass Contributor
You can try the following steps to resolve the issue:
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Run the Windows Security Troubleshooter: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot. Find and run the Windows Security troubleshooter.
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Repair Windows Security using DISM: Open Command Prompt as administrator and run the following commands: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /StartComponentCleanup
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Re-register Windows Security apps: Open a Command Prompt as administrator and run the following commands:
powershell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"} -
Reset Windows Security app: Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Find Windows Security, and click Advanced options. Click Reset.
If none of these steps work, you may need to perform a clean install of Windows 11 to resolve the issue.
(external link removed by moderator)
- brichardgene777Sep 10, 2024Copper ContributorI appreciate the suggestion. I have followed each suggestion and every time I completed each step I tried to run Defender but it still did not work. I even try to reset my device to no avail. Do you know any new work around to fix this issue?
Thanks in advance. - VibhawBajpaiAug 26, 2024Copper Contributor
Mark_Albin Option # 2 works for me thank you !!
- lovina99Aug 15, 2024Copper Contributor
When I open Windows Security I can see the options but Windows Security is greyed out and it just freezes when I try to click on any of the options. I am a senior and do not know how to get into the command prompts. Any suggestions? thank you, Lovina
- noltoAug 07, 2024Copper Contributoroption 4 worked for me
- Mahn_1Jun 11, 2024Copper Contributor
Mark_Albin
Sorry Mark, none of your suggestions work !
So, my PC was almost fine, just one update (kb5031358) that wouldn't install by Windows update or downloading it from MS and installing manually, both fail.
MS advice, upgrade in place,..
What terrible advice, it's completely screwed my machine, deleted the HKLM /run list, so my keyboard and mouse don't work, won't let me reinstall them (double click the install exe, nothing happens).
Even tho my profile is Admin, I had to login as Admin to reinstall them).
It reset many of my tweaks that made Win 11 almost useable.
I create a txt file, double click on it and windows says it can't find it !
The Windows Security troubleshooter is no longer there.
I've tried Repairing, and Resetting Windows Security which did nothing.
I'm getting Permission pop-ups, I'm the Admin, I don't need permission to access my own files on my own machine or run programs I own and installed.
It changed ownership of my ALL my partitons and files to 'unknown' or 'NT Authority'.
I built this ne PC just over 3 weeks ago, I've done 10 reformat/fresh installs, and have yet to get to a point where I can actually install my main apps and do some work, but ultimately Win 11 Pro just self distructs.
Obviously I turned off,..
UAC (to stop Windows Nannying),
Memory Interity (otherwise many programs won't install),
Storage Sense (otherwise it will silently delete installed executables (like Skype.exe, Firefox.exe, setpoint.exe, startmenu.exe, and some exe's that stop Avira from working),
and I am Admin !
My anti-malware all works and can't find any malware, this is all stoopid Win 11 Pro (Pro, what a joke).
How could they release this ?
How can they not know how buggy it is ?
I've been building pro PC's for 25 years, this is the worst OS install I've ever done, thank goodness it was for myself and not a client - no wonder people are moving to Mac, MS is actively pushing it's customers away. MS should make a public apology, drop Win 11 and extend support for Win 10 Pro which works flawlessly.- Mahn_1Jul 25, 2024Copper Contributor
I should just add,.. it also helps if your NVMe isn't faulty and producing "micro errors".
I returned my NVMe for replacement and so far so good, but it is day 1 today so we'll see.
- Jason1295May 16, 2024Copper Contributor
Mark_Albin How do you run a security scan if Windows Security won't open???
- florismkleijneMay 16, 2024Brass ContributorMost fixes mentioned here and elsewhere work for a little while, a few days. While it is fixed, you can run a security scan.
- Jason1295May 20, 2024Copper ContributorCan't run a security scan if security center won't open????
- cke11yMay 08, 2024Copper ContributorTried them all - none worked
- jinxdbaijazMay 07, 2024Copper ContributorI'm in the middle of trying these solutions but when I tried the 2nd one, the command prompt told me it didn't recognize DISM.exe. Is this bad? if so what do I do?
- thethoughtgenieFeb 23, 2024Copper ContributorHi,
None of these worked, including the clean install, even in Feb. 2024. Also tried the video links that are available in the comments below.
It's not the IT Security permission issue for me. It's just that I could not open Windows security in settings or Security app from Start menu. I could not even end 'Antimalware Service Executable' in Task manager. It says 'access denied', but I am the only one who uses this PC. I have no other antiviruses or malwarebytes. Tried all the possible solutions. Please give me a way of getting rid of this tool completely in the first place. Even now, it is as good as not having it anyway.- SunshynRFFApr 21, 2024Copper Contributor
thethoughtgenie I had the same issues, I tried everything suggested on this thread and several others, and my Windows Security would not open, a blank window would open for just a second, then disappear. This is what finally fixed it for me.....
Step 1. Open Powershell as administrator, run the following command like suggested earlier in the thread... Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.SecHealthUI -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackageHit enter, close Powershell (If you've done this already, then just go to the next step.)
Step 2. Click start on taskbar, in search type... windows security ...DO NOT hit enter though, look to the bottom right of start window, the last option should be... app settings ... click that and it should open a window inside of settings.
Step 3. Scroll down to the section... Reset ...there's two choices under that "repair" and "reset", click on... repair ....let it do it's thing for a few seconds, and you should be good to go.
If that doesn't work, you can try checking out the rest of the video I got this from, it had 2-3 other options after this one, here is the link.... Windows Security won't open on Win11 solution
- florismkleijneApr 21, 2024Brass Contributor
SunshynRFF Yes, this works, and has worked on previous occasions, but the issue keeps coming back...