how to reactivate my window security settings

Follow these steps to get Windows Security working and protection re‑enabled.

1. Confirm Windows Security is opening

• In the taskbar search box, type Windows Security and select it from the results.
• If it opens but shows a blank page, continue with the next steps.

2. Make sure a third‑party antivirus is fully removed If a third‑party antivirus is still installed and active, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will stay disabled.

• Go to Start > Settings > Apps.
• Find any third‑party antivirus or security app that was installed.
• Select it and choose Uninstall.
• Restart the PC after uninstalling.

If the app will not uninstall completely, contact the publisher’s support for a cleanup tool.

3. Let Microsoft Defender Antivirus turn itself back on After any third‑party antivirus is removed and the PC is restarted, Microsoft Defender Antivirus should turn on automatically as part of Windows Security.

• Open Windows Security again from Start.
• Check that the dashboard now shows sections like Virus & threat protection, Firewall & network protection, etc.

4. Use the Windows Security Troubleshooter If the Windows Security page is still blank or protection features are not turning back on:

• Download and run the Windows Security Troubleshooter from this page: Automatically fix Windows security issues.
• In the File Download dialog, select Run or Open, then follow the steps.

This tool checks and enables key security features such as:

• Microsoft Defender Antivirus protection status and updates
• Windows Firewall
• User Account Control (UAC)
• Data Execution Prevention (DEP)
• SmartScreen/Phishing filter

5. Re‑enable protection features you turned off Once Windows Security is working again:

• Open Windows Security from Start.
• Go through each section (for example, Virus & threat protection, Firewall & network protection, App & browser control) and turn settings back on as needed.
• Ensure Tamper Protection is turned on so apps cannot silently change your security settings. See Protect my PC from viruses and Prevent changes to security settings with Tamper Protection for details.

6. If Windows Security still shows blank If the dashboard remains blank even after uninstalling third‑party antivirus and running the troubleshooter, the system may be in a lowered protection state due to damaged Windows Security services. In that case, a repair or reset of Windows (for example, Reset this PC while keeping files) may be required, as shown in similar support cases in the context.

Before doing any reset, back up important data.

References:

• Protect my PC from viruses
• Automatically fix Windows security issues
• Windows Security App Overview
• Windows Security