Windows

Windows Defender Update Error And One Possible Method To Fix It

Posted by on Mar 7, 2008 | 8 Comments

Gnomie Tim Malloroy (aka RedFlameOut) writes:

Hey Chris,

I wish I had more time to view and participate in your videos, however, work is killing me right now.

I came across an interesting issue with Windows Defender (which I use as an addition to anti-spyware rather than my only protection).

As part of my security procedures, I periodically make sure all the protection software is updating itself properly. During one of these scans, Windows Defender had not been updated in quite some time. Manual update failed with a Code 0×80240022.

Our friend Google helped me find the answer and I want to share it with the community.

Apparently something happens to the definitions in Windows Defender that stops updating from working. The following command line procedure corrects it. Or at least it did for me:

  1. Type Windows-R (Hold the Windows or start key and type an R) to bring up the run dialog box.
  2. Type in cmd.exe and the press ctrl-alt-enter to run it as Administrator. It may ask for escalation privileges so type in your password and press enter if it does.
  3. Use the cd command to change to the Windows Defender directory:

    cd “\Program Files\Windows Defender”

  4. Run the following commands:

    mpcmdrun -RemoveDefinitions -All
    mpcmdrun -SignatureUpdate

  • http://www.tannerhelland.com Tanner

    Excellent article – just what I was looking for! Thanks!

  • Bean

    Awesome post works great

  • Mike

    You are a champion. Thanks! My googling finally found a solution thanks to you. Surprised microsoft dont have this on the homepage of the windows defender site

  • PS

    I still get an error message which says

    C:\Program Files\Windows Defender>mpcmdrun -RemoveDefinitions -All

    Service Version: 1.1.1505.0
    Engine Version: 1.1.3520.0
    AntiSpyware Base Signature Version: 1.33.9600.0
    AntiSpyware Delta Signature Version: 1.33.9763.8

    Starting engine and signature rollback to default…Failed! Error 0×80070005

    Finally problem remains. Please advise.

  • XYZ

    Thanx…it worked for me !!!!

  • Sher

    Thanks… The update is started… with me

  • Gyula

    you said it writes: “Starting engine and signature rollback to default…Failed! Error 0×80070005″

    it’s because to to this, you have to run the command promt with administator privileges.

    To do that, go to Start, then accessories, and right click on Command Promt, choose “Run as Administrator…” (or something like that, I have Hungarian Vista I don’t know the English), and do the steps in that command promt…

    …I hope it will work :D

  • Mtingwi Chisoni

    Its amazing, it has really work for me and you are super. Hopefully i get more support from you. IT people are humble