windows defender: virus and spyware definition update failed. error code 0x80004004

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My Dell computer was purchased in 2013. It was shipped with Mcafee, which was removed later on. In 2014, the original windows 8 was upgraded into windows 8.1.

 

Recently I found whenever I click the update button, the update for virus and spyware definition failed. It says "check your internet or network connection and try again". But in fact, I have good internet connection. The detailed information reveals

"error code 0x80004004". The Action Center also shows two red area and says "Windows Defender is turned off". The Windows Update seems still working automatically, and Windows Defender can be automatically started.

 

I spent two full days and tried all the methods listed in misc articles. All failed. Very exhausting.

(1) Tried every tool of the anti-virus software removal list, plus some tools in other articles of community forum.

(2) Tried manually install the definition. The problem did not go away.

(3) Tried every step in "Problems starting Windows Defender in Windows 8/8.1", such as sfc, clean boot, registry clean, etc. The problem still there.

 

The only method I haven't tried yet is to refresh. Since the instruction asks for CD, my computer didn't come with a CD. I am afraid of bigger trouble during refresh. Further, Windows Defender is the only trouble now. I still hope for a fix before doing

the refresh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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