Windows Security = blank page?????

Si_Clist

I'm trying to set up the Windows Defender settings on my wife's Windows 11 laptop, but when I enter "Windows Security" in the taskbar search as per Googled instructions, the page that comes up headed "Windows Security" is blank!

What's going on?

Vitor

Which version of Windows 11 do you have (Home, Pro etc.)?

Si_Clist

Vitor said:

Which version of Windows 11 do you have (Home, Pro etc.)?

I believe it's Home 

Vitor

Make sure the laptop isn't pre-installed with McAfee or other AV that the manufacturer has been paid to install. These will shutdown Defender and run instead. Uninstall any bloatware that's asking for a subscription after the trial period. 

Newcad

Try typing just 'security' and it should come up with whatever AV is currently installed.

PS. The Taskbar searchbox has not been needed for some years now

Simply open the start menu and start typing.

I turned the Taskbar searchbox off long ago to get more space on my taskbar.

HillStreetBlues

Settings>Privacy & security>Windows Security should bring you to page needed. 

Si_Clist

Thank you very much for your suggestions, which I'll get back to ASAP tomorrow.  Unfortunately Life has got in the way this evening ... 

Si_Clist

Well, there's certainly no AV software of any kind on the laptop and I went right through every trick on this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbviTVe-7Rc&ab_channel=TechReview but alas no joy.

Anybody got any more ideas please before I resort to a factory reset in the hope that sorts it out?

Vitor

What do you see when opening Settings, then Privacy & security > Windows Security?

Si_Clist

Vitor said:

What do you see when opening Settings, then Privacy & security > Windows Security?

Well, this is jolly interesting.  When I click on that box at the top that says "Open Windows Security", I get the blank page with "Windows Security" at the very top left referred to in my OP.

However, under "Protection areas" in your screenshot, the shield thingy against "Virus and threat protection" is different and it says "action required".

When I click on that, I get this ...

Vitor

Try following this Virus & Threat protection - Microsoft Community and run SecurityHealthSetup.exe