Turned Win Defender off to use Avast but get annoying popup

General Topics
1

This is a Windows 10 problem, I realize–but I’m not finding the answer at Microsoft and thought someone here might have gone through the same thing. (The reason I turned Defender off is because I want to use Avast.)

I turned it off, installed Avast and thought all was okay–until I rebooted. Every time this Defender error has to be clicked off my desktop:

“This app is turned off and isn’t monitoring your computer. If you’re using another app to check for malicious or unwanted software, use Security and Maintenance to check that app’s status.”

Well, that app is Avast! and its status is just fine, thank you! Now leave me alone! As you can tell, it’s driving me crazy…

I can’t open Defender anywhere because, you guessed it–it’s turned off! Has anyone else experienced this or have any advice?

Any help much appreciated!

2

There was no need to turn off Windows Defender yourself.
avast does it when it is installed.

I suggest to enable Windows defender and perform a clean installation of avast.

3

It isn’t avast that turns off Windows Defender.

  • The act of installing a 3rd party AV should have Windows 10 disable Windows Defender.

Yes the user shouldn’t have to disable it.

4

Thank you both for replying. I didn’t know Avast would take care of Defender. But now that I can’t get into Defender and Windows won’t let me uninstall it, is there anything I can do? If I uninstall Avast temporarily, will Defender turn itself back on? Then I can reinstall Avast and it will take care of Defender?
Thanks again,
Sandy

5

Windows 10 won’t let you uninstall it as it is an integral part of the OS now.

Now MS would say this is to ensure that you aren’t without an AV when you first get your system. Some of us (me) have a different theory :wink:

I believe if you uninstall avast Windows should recognise this and on your restart WD should be enabled by Windows. The same should follow for the avast install, after the reboot windows should disable WD.

6

David, thank you so much. You were absolutely right and such a big help.

After uninstalling Avast and rebooting, Avast was gone and Defender opened just fine. I didn’t seem to need the Avast removal tool, but downloaded it just in case.

I’m so thankful for those like you who take the time to help those like me! Oh, and BTW, I totally agree with you that “MS would say this is to ensure that you aren’t without an AV when you first get your system. Some of us (me) have a different theory ;).”

Now they don’t even trust us to keep our own systems updated–but we’re expected to trust their updates without question.

Thanks again to all who replied.
Sandy

7

You’re very welcome.

8

You’re welcome Sandy.

If you have questions/problems…
You know how to find this webboard :wink: