Uninstall Defender

[Hawkins]

I have been having problems since I uninstalled and then reinstalled
Defender. After the reinstall updates download and apparently install and
then this process gets into a loop of updates-install-updates-install etc. I
have tried various solutions posted here to no avail.
What I think I need is detailed instructions to completely remove all traces
of Defender so that a fresh install will update and work as it should. I
base my assumption on the fact that an install of Defender on another
"Virgin" computer went without a hitch and it updated perfectly .
Judging by the many other posts on this subject I am not the only one with
this problem.

Richard.

 

[Guest]

Hello Hawkins,

Is a good help to know exactly what solutions you try in the past.

How about this:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=915105

Windows Installer cleanup tool: read the info carefully before using:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301

Description of Windows Defender definition updates
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/915597/en-us

Windows Installer 3.1 v2 (3.1.4000.2435) is available
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/893803

Now, if you try to clean the install, download CCleaner
http://www.ccleaner.com

Go to Control Panel and removed WD

Boot in Safe-mode

Run the above remover in safe mode with system restore
tuned off then Ccleaner on all 3 settings(windows,apps &
issues) and clear anything found reboot and see if it
still exists.
http://forum.ccleaner.com/

http://forum.ccleaner.com/index.php?showtopic=1504
Registry
CCleaner even has a built-in Registry Cleaner. It's not the best (not
CCleaner's main function), but it will find invaild registry entries that
most Registry Cleaners will not. Unlike the Disk Cleaners with a Registry
Cleaner, CCleaner does really fast scanning for Registry Issues. The reason
is CCleaner doesn't want to effect Windows performance or effect any
applications. It's better to be safe than sorry!

Run twice Ccleaner, the same as above

Еиςеl

 

[Bill Sanderson]

I don't recommend uninstalling and reinstalling. I know of no problem that
this is a fix for, and I know that this operation will interfere with
updates.

I recommend using the fix in this kb article:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=915105

 

[Hawkins]

Well I have just tried the 915105 fix and I am no further forward. The fix
hung for a while and then returned a message to the effect that the patch
could not be opened...... So what to try next?

Richard

..

 

[Bill Sanderson]

Hmm - I'd like to see the details of that error message--I don't think it is
one I've seen posted before, or seen in person.

In general, if that KB procedure fails with an error message, the next thing
to try is the Windows Installer cleanup tool:

http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=kb;en-us;290301

Find the link to the tool in the above KB article, install it, then run it
from the Start, All programs menu.

Look for Windows Defender Signatures, and remove that.

Then retry the update--use both methods--Windows Update and Help, About,
check for updates, from within Windows Defender.

--

 

[Hawkins]

The message is..."The patch package could not be opened. Verify that the
patch package exists and that you can access it, or contact the application
vendor to verify that this is a valid Windows installer patch....OK.
I wish I could copy and paste the fleeting message!!

I have already tried the 290301 clean up tool and cleared out files in
Software distribution having stopped and afterwards restarted the wuauserv.
I have also tried both the update methods and in desperation have tried to
do an update that sticks via IE to the update site.

This is why I am keen to do a complete clear out of all the bits of Defender
so I can try a fresh install, which as I said works perfectly on a second
machine which has not had Defender installed before.

Richard.

 

[Hawkins]

Hello Engel

Thanks for your reply.
I have in fact previously tried all the fixes that you have listed apart
from running CCcleaner in safe mode which I will try. There is one other
step which I am not happy to take which is to blow away all my system
restore points. I am not convinced that this would really make a difference.

I believe, having read many other peoples' posts, that there is a common
factor underlying the Looping Update problem being that a there has been a
previously working Beta 2 version that has been reinstalled.
The problem only started recently after the latest update,which was
successful, and now after having tried all of the listed solutions to stop
the loop my installation definitions and engine are back to where they were
43 days ago. Hence my plea for information how to COMPLETELY remove all
traces of Defender before reinstalling.

Thanks Richard.

 

[Hawkins]

Just a note to say that I have uninstalled Defender, ran CCcleaner in safe
mode and reinstalled Defender. The result was as before with Looping still
happening.
I am glad I kept my restore points as the clean up turned off my Ethernet
connection! So now I am back to square one !

Richard.

 

[Bill Sanderson]

I can't give you any guideance about what to remove in the registry. I
generally avoid going there, and haven't found it necessary for most
problems posted in these groups.

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