I have never used any third-party antivirus on my system for protection. The reason behind it is the excellent working of Windows Defender, which is available as a built-in security suite for Windows 11/10. It works in the same strategy as some other antivirus in its class does, and the best thing is that you don’t need to pay for it. But today, while working on my laptop, I received the following Microsoft Defender error, here is the screenshot:
In the dialog box, Windows says that Windows Defender is subjected to an unexpected problem. The error code given was 0x80508020. As soon as I clicked Close in the error dialog, I received another error prompt:
This time, Windows said that it couldn’t turn on real-time protection followed by error code 0x800705b4. So in order to resolve both the errors, I start my troubleshooting steps from Registry Editor as it gives an instant fix. Eventually, I reached a saturation point, from where I fixed this errors for Windows Defender in few seconds. Here is how:
Fix Windows Defender Error 0x80508020, 0x800705b4
1. Press Windows Key + R combination, type put Regedt32.exe in Run dialog box and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
3. In the right pane of this location, you’ll see DisableAntiSpyware named DWORD there having the Value data as 1. This DWORD is the root cause of both the errors which I received. So, double click on the DWORD to modify its Value data:
4. In the above box, replace the Value data to 0 from 1. Click OK. Alternatively, you can delete the Windows Defender key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
from the left pane of the image shown in step 2. Finally, reboot the system and Windows Defender will start protecting your Windows 8 without any hitch.
Hope you find the fix useful!
Hi I cant find windows defender in regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender
it only shows
Policies
Microsoft
Cryptography
Peernet
System Certificates
Windows
Windows NT
Next should come Windows Defender but it is not there
I am trying to fix Error code – 0x800705b4
Any help would be appreciated
Regards Dave
^^ If the Windows Defender key is not there, you can create it manually using right click on the Microsoft key and navigating New -> Key. Then you can create the DWORD in the right pane as indicated in the article :)
The most common reason for both these error is remnants of previous antivirus. If instead of removing those remnants we follow your steps then it will surely lead to a conflict and will cause system instability.
^^ Exactly, in fact most of the users face issues with Windows Defender if they give a try to third-party antivirus. They mess up the things. I suggest everyone to keep their faith in Windows Defender and rely upon it :)
So what about adding on the top to first run removal tools of previous antivirus first and if it doesn’t help then they should follow the given steps.
hey i dint got windows defender option
^^ You can manually create the key.
thanks and got it
When I go and try to run Windows Defender, it comes up with the following warning:
“This app is turned off by group policy.
If you’re using another app to check for malicious or unwanted software, use Action Center to check the app’s status.
To allow this app to run, contact your security administrator to enable the program via group policy.”
However, I am running the program as administrator, and from Action Center, it doesn’t let me enable Windows Defender. What is this group policy issue?
^^ It seems like you have tried any third-party security suite which have modified group policy settings but actually its hard to find that specific policy, so I suggest you to reset the Local Group Policy Editor. Here is how to:
http://www.kapilarya.com/how-to-reset-local-group-policy-editor-in-windows-8
could I get really clear simple instructions on creating the DWORD? I don’t see Windows Defender either in the Registry (per Dave above). If I create the folder Windows Defender in the left, then what do I do to get DWORD in the right?
Thanks man!!!
:)
Hi, I have the same problem with the 705b4 error code and when I tried to do as you instructed I couldn´t find Windows Defender in the registry editor. Under Microsoft I found Windows and Windows NT but no sign of the Defender. Where can it be and how can I find it?
^^ Please refer to my first comment above, it have the instructions to get Windows Defender key.
hi
i am facing a problem regarding my windows defender it is generating an error that real time protection is turned off , i am using windows 8
i have applied all the above solution you told but there is no postive effect it is generating an error 0x8050800d
please help me in this regard as soon as possible
hi again
whe i am opening windows defender its saying that real time protection is turned off andgiving an error of 0x8050800d and after clicking on the option TURN ON its generating another error of 0x800705b4
please help me in this regard as soon as possible as my security is at risk
^^ Make sure you’re not using any third-party antivirus program on your system. If so, uninstall it. Also remove third-party software loaded on your machine. Run SFC /SCANNOW command at administrative Command Prompt and reboot the system to get things normal :)
^^ Right click in the blank space in the right pane, select New -> DWORD Value.
Hi, sorry – I am a little new when it come to windows 8 and not very good with computers. It will not let me delete the key nor will it let me switch from “0” to “1”.. This is extremely frustrating. This has to be something else. When I try to turn on real time scan this error code shows… 0x800705b4 0 time expired, etc, etc. Any ideas? Please and Thank you.
^^ Please take the ownership of the Windows Defender key and then try modification.
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-take-full-control-of-windows-7-registry-keys
Twice I went through this today by 2 different routes, yours was best :) I don’t have an DisableAntiSpy… just the Default. What now? Thanks for your help. B
^^ Please create the DWORD manually, refer to my previous comments here :)
Hello, I’m back again and I don’t see my question of last night. I went in to all the files and when I get to Windows, there is only Windows NT. NO, NONE at of Windows Defender! When I tried to get one from the internet, Windows would not let me. Any clue how maybe, I can restore the Windows Defender in its entirety? Thanks for your help! B
^^ Please refer to previous comments here, you’ll got the clue :)
Finally! Thanks for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was really irritated because i cannot find a way to solve my problem.
I followed your instructions as well as the follow-up instructions in your comments pertaining to creating a Windows Defender folder) but I had a hard time following your instructions since I’m not really aware of the other things involved here.
One step i missed is deleting the Windows Defender in the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoft
It took me a couple of minutes to figure out what’s the next thing to do… READ and RE-READ and i got the answer. haha. Thanks!
Anyhow, i have another issue in using windows 8 (my first W8 PC)
I love the user interface and other features of it
BUT
The responsiveness of the mouse is very slow/sluggish.
Sometimes, i need to re-click an app in order to open it. I’m experiencing this many times since i bought this laptop 4 days ago.
Oooooops, i missed something.
Since I am frustrated awhile ago, I deleted all McAfee files in My Computer as well as the folder in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftMcAfee
Will it affect the PC’s performance? I don’t think so?
^^ If you would have uninstalled McAfee, then these entries got erased automatically.
Hi, I tried your fix but it didn’t work, it says that DisableAntiSpyware cannot be modified because of an error in the writing, but I did it correctly, as you can see on the pictures…
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(Sorry for my english, I’m French)
And I didn’t have Windows Defender in Policies, I found it in the first Microsoft…
Did not help
This didn’t help me, I’m still getting the same error. Even after checking policies for the Windows Defender key and enabling full access for me
The microsoft section is not there, so no windows defender folder!! what should i do??
i have error code “0x80073b01”
what about that one?
nice man its really helpful!!!
The value is already 0 for me, and it still doesn’t work
thank you works a lot
change the value data to 1 then log off. then your good to go
Was below Instruction really successfull?
It has worked for me (Win10; had to create the key). Thanks a lot!
Thank you. It worked.. However I have a silly question. I edited as instructed and the Real time protection is now on, however is my Real Time protection REALLY on? I mean is it really working just like before? TIA.