Error Code 126: Windows could not start the Windows Defender service

Asked By jovyhasle 1170 points N/A Posted on - 06/27/2011

Hi!
I was on a routine in field work to a remote site to do some preventive maintenance of the computers, when one of the computer users reported to  me a message that he always encountered whenever he starts his computer. I posted below for a complete view of the error.

Windows could not start the Windows Defender service on Local Computer.
Error 126: The specified module could not be found.

After reading on the error  I restarted his computer and reboot it again to have a fresh start  and the same error was displayed. I checked  for some bad sectors using a scan disk, and there was no error on the hard drive  found on his computer. As for me I gave all the help . 

So I am posting here the error in hope I can still help him.   

Thanks. 

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• Question Category: Anti-Virus

Best Answer by shenna22

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Answered By renz20 0 points N/A #124670

Error Code 126: Windows could not start the Windows Defender service

If scandisk won't work and restarting  would do as well. Go to start menu choose All programs then Accessories find Command prompt right click, run as administrator then type  "sfc /scannow " of course without the Apostrophe, there is also a space between sfc and /scannow this procedure would help you detect the problems of what might been causing of this error sfc procedure repair issue on windows protected file and if it finds any error or damage it will replace it. including DLL files.

Come back if it doesn't helps you out.

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Answered By shenna22 5 points N/A #124671

Error Code 126: Windows could not start the Windows Defender service

Hi! Good day,

This kind of issue is due to the %ProgramData% environment variable is set patch default is C:Programdata. Now to resolve this kind of issue you uninstall the Windows Defender and make another new installation of Windows Defender by targeting of drive D: All files will be restored in drive D but you don’t have any worry in this kind of installation because the default of the program of Windows Defender was in drive C:

Thank you. Hope its help
Regards;
Shennaban22

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• Posted on - 08/02/2011
• Question Category: Anti-Virus