Windows Defender 0x800106ba

My daughter suddenly experiences: Windows Defender: "Error Code 0x800106ba
Application failed to initialize"

This is a fairly new machine (running Vista Home Premium) and it was
delivered with McAfee virus protection installed. The initial McAfee license
is about to expire so she renewed that license for a permanent licence
today. There may of course be a connection here, but I fail to see what that
connection could be.

She was guided to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931849 which suggests to
initially remove (uninstall) Windows Defender and then reinstall it. The
only problem with this is that Windows Defender is not included in the list
of installed programs that can be uninstalled, and when she tries to
"reinstall" it Windows Defender is reported as already present on the
system.

I checked on my own system where Windows Defender is running without any
problem, and the same applies here: Windows Defender is not listed among
installed programs.

I shall be most grateful for comments and/or suggestions that can aid our
troubleshooting.

Windows Defender doesn't appear in the list if you have Vista because it is
part of the operating system. That KB article fails to mention which OS it
pertains to but you can't reinstall Defender that way in Vista. Try using
System Restore to return the system to a point before it started happening.
The following article describes how to do this:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935511/en-us

I note the only other option it gives is to reinstall Windows. You can do
this by running the Setup disc from within Windows and "upgrading" it over
itself.

I'm having the same problem on
1. a brand new laptop bought last night.
2. a pc that I just reinstalled Windows Vista on.
Both have McAfee installed and fresh Vista install. I will follow the
notes in the article to manually turn off WD.

But my question is, if I do this, how do I get to the Startup to turn things
on or off that I don't want to start on reboot? Is there another means to
get to this? If there is, then I have no problem turning WD off, but if
there isn't then I need to resolve the error.

Don't worry too much about the upgraded-from-XP thing. I only really
pointed you at that article because it shows you haw to do a System Restore.

System Restore is always a safe bet because it creates a restore point
before it restores anything, which makes it undo-able. You just have to
know when the problem started happening so that you can go back to a time
before that. The second method, reinstalling Windows, sounds a bit more
drastic and you might be wise to seek further advice before resorting to
this, although I'm told an in-place upgrade isn't anything to fret too much
over.

Thanks for the comment. However I am still worried because KB935511 refers
to installations where Windows XP has been upgraded to Vista. This computer
has to my knowledge never had Windows XP, it was delivered (from DELL) some
six weeks ago with Vista pre-installed.

Thanks for this information, I shall check exactly what features are
included in McAfee on my daughter's computer.
(I know that it has antivirus protection and a firewall.)

Now the interesting question: Is this "error" message something my daughter
has to live with or can it be disabled in any way (if McAfee includes the
appropriate protection)?

Bought a Dell in Dec... Mcfee was installed but then I reinstalled
I agree with your fix but here is the problem with that
Lets say that for me the last day was the 24th
You still have mcfee to deal with and this will happen all over again?
Or do you think it worth the try before we reinstall?
Is there so kind of a conflict between vista and Mcfee!
vista does not like virus protection?

Thanks for your comment, but did you read my OP? KB 931849 is the very
article we tried without success to apply!

IF the McAfee 'thing' has it's own spyware component then Defender is
Disabled. Thus, the error message.

QED: What is the McAfee product installed ?
Check it's User Guide to see if there is a spyware component included.

Click Start
In Search - services
Click on Services in the list
You will now have a list of services on the pc
Scroll to Windows Defender and it will say Manual
Change it to Automatic and Start it then
Reboot and the message is gone from both of my computers.....

I looked everywhere for a solution to this problem and NONE of the articles
on the Microsoft site helped me.
Glad to help someone else!!

hi sven i had the same problem as you.i've managed to solve it after hours searching for the solution and HERE IS YOURS!!!
go to "start>control panel>administrative tools>services" scroll down and locate Windows Defender,click once on it and then click start on the left pane that looks like a 'Hyperlinked' start underlined and in blue.
once you have done that you can go back to start>all programs>Windows Defender,open it (i wasn't able to even do this as this error code kept popping up) and untick all the boxes.don't panic your Mcafee will protect you from everithing that W.D. is supposed to.
and that should be the end of your problem!!!

Followed your instructions and it help me resolve the problem except i
had to double click Window Defender and than able to click from manual
to automatic. Thanks as i wouldn't have been able to locate WD on
programmes as it would keep coming up with the message.

[theNatural]

Thanks, I had this same problem and was able to resolve it using this thread. One thing I'd like to clear up for anyone reading this is the way you set the Windows Defender to Automatic. You need to right-click on the service, select 'Properties' and change it from the properties window. You should be all set.

I am convinced the Windows Defender problem is a conflict between Defender and McAfee. Hopefully, they will get their heads together and fix this asap.

After I got this problem the first time. I had renewed my McAfee subscription, and I suspected there was a conflict them but I decided to restore my computer to it's factory condition. Everything worked fine just like I just got the computer. I then updated my McAfee subscription again and BAM the same problem occurred making me realize I had not solved the problem and lost some personal files because of the restore.

Anyway, I believe the problem has been resolved after reading this.

Thanks again

[the-tine]

Djtito and Sven, I owe you one. This error message was driving me crazy.

Oh, and one tiny thing- after completing the steps in "Services, "start Defender, click Tools (the little wrench thingy), then Options. From here, you can uncheck everything - just remember to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page before clicking "Save." A warning will pop up, saying your computer will be unprotected and your grass will die. Just ignore it and click "Close."

below is the answer to your question. I spent all morning figuring out the
problem and learned of the below message. I rolled back the configuration to
fix and remove the error message. as of now defender is turned off.

I had the same problem with Vista and when I re-newed McAfee, this error
msg aprd upon start-up: 0x800106ba. This solved the issue for me:
Start -> Accessories-> Run-> type in: services.msc -> find and select
Windows Defender on the list -> click on Start service at the top of the
column in the lefthand side.
I had to do this two days in a row, then I didn't have the error msg
anymore and Defender was running. Hope this works for you.

Hubby posted on 8/4/2009 in vista security-go to start-All
Programs-Administrative tools-services(you'll get user account control ,
click ok)-scroll to windows defender-right click to highlight -on the drop
down menu click properties-under start up type change to automatic and
reboot. McAfee and Windows Defender should work together.

:D Christine many many thanks for helping in getting that annoying
error off the screen when starting up. Visited microsoft support a few
times and not even a hint from them re how to fix the problem. So much
for the experts.

Looking at other comments there is no doubt that Mcafee has a conflict
with windows defender as it removed it when I installed it but left the
annoying error message behind.

I did like to have windows defender activated but hopefully the matter
will be resolved in the near future.

I google the error and all it says is to download the regcure program
for free, I downloaded it but after the scan a window comes up saying
"you need to purchase the full version in order to fix your
problem".:rolleyes:
I did try it, but you have to pay for it and I believe that this is a
Windows Vista Problem that should be fix by Microsoft. :mad:
However I fixed it myself and want you to try the following steps "do
it yourself without paying for it". :D

1-Go to control Panel and click on Administrative tools.
2-Click on services and a new windows will appear.
3-Look up for windows defender and right click on it, click on
properties and select automatic, it should be on manual, change it to
automatic and click apply then o.k. and will take you back to the
services windows.
4-Windows Defender should be highlighted and on the left hand side of
the services windows, should be 2 links, click restart.
5-Close all windows and open Windows Defender, it should work without a
problem and your popup window at start up will not be display any
longer.
Hope this helps you. :party:

Hello neednonerd,

It would appear that you were almost the victim of one of the many scam
"fix it" programs on the web.

Unfortunately there are many of these type of programs on the Web which
are free to download but then try to charge you for the cure. Some will
also install Trojan Horse programs to produce other error reports

Am not actually familiar with the regcure program but would suggest
that you remove it (if you have not already done so ),

Also run a anti malware scan with something like Malwarebytes to ensure
that this program has not installed anything that may give you false
errors to persuade you to purchase their solution.

'Malwarebytes.org'

'Spybot-S&D!'

BTW the first link I get from a Google search is this ....

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931849

tried the regcure, but you have to pay for it and I believe that this is
a Windows Vista Problem that should be fix by Microsoft. However, try
the following steps and do it yourself without paying for it.
1 Go to control Panel and click on Administrative tools.
2 Click on services and a new windows will appear.
3 Look up for windows defender and right click on it, click on
properties and select automatic, it should be on manual, change it to
automatic and click apply then o.k. and will take you back to the
services windows.
4 Windows Defender should be highlighted and on the left hand side of
the services windows, should be 2 links, click restart.
5 Close all windows and open Windows Defender, it should work without a
problem and your popup window at start up will not be display any
longer. Hope this helps you.

Please just re-enable the Windows defender service in the
services.msc.

Thanks for the advice, that is what I am telling everybody to do but
many people does not know how to re-enable windows defender and I am
telling how to do it.

[sonia henry]

I can do many things on the pc but sorting out defender was not one of
them. wish I had read this site before:mad:

How ever my problem after vista updates started defender off error code
0x800106ba. after hours and big headache my son told me what to do, and
I now after joining here see the same advice is here it does work.

type in seach. SERVICES, scrolled doen on the right hand side till you
come to defender, it will be on manual change it to auto, hey presto
done!!!! so flipping easy
.

Here's what happened to me and what solution worked for me. I had
windows defender installed with my computer also. I had a license with
McAfee directly but decided to download AT&T Security Suite which also
had McAfee. I encountered the same issue when I downloaded the suite.
What I wound up doing is uninstalling the AT&T security suite which
corrected the error issue, then I disabled windows defender before
reinstalling AT&T security suite. Now everythings is working fine with
no pop up error codes.

Also, to get to windows defender you will find it under Control
Panel>Security>Windows Defender>follow this link and you will see screen
shots of how to disable it.

Sorry to sound dim, but I have this problem too and when I go into services
and windows defender 'manual' is greyed out and I can't change it to
automatic - any suggestion how to sort this out?

I am writing this 2 hours later. The messages below were so inaccurate It is
no wonder I am confused. It is my understanding that under the guarantee I
get help with everything except forcibly breaking this nice computer. First,
I never said about 90% of what construed to be my conversation. Neither was
my daughter's correct. I bought this Toshiba a few days ago and began
installing and registering everything with little difficulty. I removed the
Norton programs and purchased and installed McAfee Security. Everywhere in
the security stuff I was asked I registered myself and all the requested
numbers. When I began to open to use internet the message window came up
saying "Windows Defender, 0x800106ba application failed to initialize. The
problem caused this service to stop..." It said to restart the computer or
manually install the program. I have nbeen using the computer without
following this instruction because i was able to x out the window and simply
do what I wanted without it. However, Windows Defender appears to not be
working. It was my understanding that it is already part of this computer. I
was unable to understand either one of the two peopke I called on this and am
still at a loss. Refer to Case number 1-1291508848 for the last
unsatisfactory call. Thanks for any help you can provide.

There are 2 reasons it's greyed out:

1) There is other software installed that contains an antispyware
component. It disables Defender by Default to eliminate conflicts.

2) There is malware present that is denying you access to the Defender
service.

What is the installed antivirus/security suite/anti-malware software ?

When was the last time the system was scanned for the presence of
malware; are the latest definitions for said scanner installed; is the
antivirus/security suite subscription current