Windows Defender blocked by group policy error 0x800704ec

Sometimes, when you try to activate Windows Defender, stays off and displays the following message:

This program is blocked by group policy. For more information, contact your system administrator. (Error code: 0x800704ec)

With this error message, you will not be able to activate Windows Defender.

This is not really a problem, since the software and operating system have been intentionally designed in this way. The reason for this is that there is currently an antivirus software installed and active on the computer and to avoid conflicting software operations, antivirus software automatically disables Windows Defender. The following methods provide the steps to resolve this problem.

Method 1: basic uninstall solution

This problem can be solved simply by uninstalling any antivirus program or software from the computer., thus activating Windows Defender as the only system protection software. To do this, follow the steps below.

1. Hold down the Windows key and press R

2. Ingrese appwiz. cpl and hit Enter

3. Find the antivirus program you want to uninstall and click on it

4. Select Uninstall.

5. Confirm any additional messages by selecting “Yes” when asked if you are sure you want to uninstall the software.

6. Restart your computer by selecting yes when the system prompts you to restart to finish uninstalling the program; or by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard and then clicking restart from your power options.

If the previous steps did not help to uninstall the antivirus / spy or other security programs, follow this guide to remove antivirus.

Now your Windows Defender should be enabled and working. If that is not the case, make sure it's on. To make sure it's on, do the following

1. Press the Windows key once

2. Select Control Panel

3. Type Windows Defender in the search bar in the upper right corner

4. Select Windows Defender

5. Now make sure it's on.

If the above steps do not solve the problem, use method 2 below to fix the problem instantly.

Method 2: advanced log editing solution

In very rare cases, it is possible that the method 1 don't solve the problem, and this method provides instant solution by modifying registry key to remedy situation. Some users may find this step more complicated, but the steps below have been broken down to make the process as easy as possible.

1. Hold down the Windows key and press R

2. Type regedit. exe and hit Enter. Press Yes if it asks for your permission.

   

3. Double click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (from the left panel)

4. Double click Software (from the left panel)

5. Double click on Policies (from the left panel)

6. Double click on Microsoft (from the left panel)

   

7. Select Windows Defender (in the left panel)

8. Double click on the item named Default in the right pane

   

9. Enter the value 0 in the new box that appeared

10. Press ok

    

11. Now press the Windows key once

12. Select Control Panel

13. Type Windows Defender in the search bar in the upper right corner

14. Select Windows Defender

15. Now make sure it's on.

If the above steps do not solve the problem, try this

1. Follow the steps 1 a 6 previously indicated.

2. Double click Windows Defender

3. Select DisableAntiSpyware

4. Double click on the item named Default in the right pane

5. Enter the value 0 in the new box and press Ok

6. Now follow the steps 11-15 to turn on Windows Defender and check if it works

Method 3: local group policy

Sometimes, there may be no problem with Windows Defender and the system itself, but Windows Defender can be disabled via local group policy. You can easily check and change settings (if it is disabled) from the local group policy window.

1. Hold down the Windows key and press R

2. Type gpedit. msc and hit Enter

   

3. Double click Administrative Templates found in Computer Configuration (in the left panel)

4. Double click Windows Components (from the left panel)

   

5. Click Windows Defender (from the left panel)

6. Double click Shut Down Windows Defender (from the right panel)

   

7. Make sure it's not activated. Click Not configured and hit Apply and then select OK

   

Now turn on Windows Defender and check if it gives the same error or not.

Method 4: enable Windows Defender

If you don't have another antivirus installed on your computer and you can't activate Windows Defender, it may be disabled. To activate Windows Defender, follow the steps below.

1. Hold down the Windows key and press R

2. Type of services. msc and hit Enter

3. Locate Windows Defender and double click on it.

4. Make sure the startup type is Automatic (by opening the drop-down menu in the Home section) and that Windows Defender is enabled (clicking the Start button).