Windows Defender start-up

I would like Windows Defender to start automatically on computer-start-up.
I don't get any help from Windows Help and Support.
I tried to use Task Scheduler, but can't locate Windows Defender (It is listed if I use the Start Button, and enter 'Defender' - but right-click/Open File Location gives nothing.

Is there a way to make sure Windows Defender starts when the computer starts?

(Vista Ultimate 64 bit)

 

I dont know if i am allowed to do this or not but here go's...i found this on another forum for vista users... http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/79612-startup-programs-enable-disable.html
I hope this helps.
SORRY TO THE MODERATORS IF I AM NOT ALLOWED TO POST LINKS TO ANOTHER FORUM!!!!!
iain.t :major

 

Thanks for responding.

I followed the link you gave - but no joy so far. I made these notes as i went through.

Method 1 - (Start/All Programs/Startup) - when I click on Startup - just says 'Empty' - doesn't give me the window show, to paste anything into (even if i could find a shortcut for Windows Defender, which I can't!).

Method 1 with Windows Defender :-

... click on Software Explorer - a) I don't see a 'Show for all users' button, and b) when I select Windows Defender, the 'Enable' button is greyed-out. I can only 'Remove' or 'Disable'! Does this mean it is already 'Enabled', but that something else is blocking it?


msconfig route

Startup shows a number of programs, including Defender - all ticked. So it seems Defender is OK to start, according to msconfig!


Registry Editing - I have never touched the Registry, and with doe respect, don't intend to, without extreme hand-holding!

 

Just a guess here, but do you also have Microsoft Security Essentials installed? It disables Windows Defender when installed and you'd need to uninstall MSE to get WD to run.

 

You could try to uninstall then re-install defender to see if it will give you the option to auto-protect upon start up, but like "solaris" has mentioned if you have MSE installed then MSE will effectively close defender down!! I would also google defender to see of there is any other conflicts with other ani-virus/malware software programs.
iain.t :major

 

Thanks for this, guys.

I am not sure, but i think MSE is installed. How would I tell? (I describe myself as a naive user - I guess that question will make it obvious).

Googling brings up (of course!) loads of stuff - but this page (http://social.answers.microsoft.com...t/thread/5309cb8d-02e1-40e8-974f-0dcedb9ab9fd) seems to indicate that I should uninstall Windows Defender via Control Panel. Do you agree?

And - thanks again

 

I'm using windows 7, but I think this is the same for vista .
click START > CONTROL PANEL > WINDOWS DEFENDER (if your view is icons) and from that window, you should be able to turn on windows defender .
More information is available here :
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx

 

Now I'm really confused rolleyes

I have the 'castle' icon, bottom right in Notification Area - but

a) while it does have the green tick, it doesn't have the flag over it, as mentioned,

and b) far from being Security Essentials, when I hover the mouse over it, it brings up 'Windows Defender' name-box.

So - 1) does this icon represent Defender or Essentials?, and 2) I still can't be sure if I have Security Essentials. If I have got SE, then I propose to uninstall Defender.