[janeinpa]

Hello,

Quite a while ago I installed Windows Defender. Then I un-installed it, but it seems some part of it is still hanging around. Several times a day I get this message:

Microsoft Malware Protection Signature Update Stub had encountered a problem and needs to close.

I go to Add/Remove programs and I see Windows Defender. However, when I try to un-install it it says it needs the feature I am trying to use is on a network source that is unavailable. It gives me an option to browse for the source, but I don't know what it is.

I thought I could try to re-install it and then take it off again, but it says I already have it running.

How can I fix this?

Thanks!

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Try uninstall or reinstall from safe mode. This should clear up the problem of it running when you are trying to alter it.

[Titan8990]

Try uninstall or reinstall from safe mode. This should clear up the problem of it running when you are trying to alter it.

[janeinpa]

You know, I tried that and I still couldn't uninstall or re-install it.

[Titan8990]

Alright then I would try a manual uninstall from safe mode. Start by manually deleting all the files associated with the program. Next go to Start > Run > Type "Regedit". Navigate to My Compter\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software. Delete the Windows Defender folder in that section. In case something goes wrong it always best to back up your registry before editing it.

Click here for a guide to backing up the Windows registry

Let me know how it goes.

Edit: BTW, welcome to Geeks to Go.

Edited by Titan8990, 12 September 2007 - 10:27 AM.

[janeinpa]

Thank you! That seems to have worked.

[Titan8990]

Glad I could help .

[janeinpa]

I'm not getting the "malware protection stub" message anymore, but I still see Windows Defender when I go to add/remove programs. Should I worry about it? If I try to remove it, it says it doesn't have a valid installation package.

[123Runner]

To remove an entry from the program group that you do not want/ can't remove, use ADD REMOVE PRO