Error code 0x800704ec and Windows Defender
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,302
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From: N. Spain
Error code 0x800704ec and Windows Defender
Hi all, I´ve tried a Pprune search but can´t find anything on the subject.
When I try to run WD I get a message that it is deactivated and a link to click on to actívate it. On clicking the link another message appears saying this program is blocked by group directive and the error code 0x800704ec.
I´ve tried restoring the system to an earlier point, no effect and bought a fault fixer called REIMAGE which I have run twice to no effect.
Help pleeease.
When I try to run WD I get a message that it is deactivated and a link to click on to actívate it. On clicking the link another message appears saying this program is blocked by group directive and the error code 0x800704ec.
I´ve tried restoring the system to an earlier point, no effect and bought a fault fixer called REIMAGE which I have run twice to no effect.
Help pleeease.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 638
Likes: 18
From: South Oxfordshire
There are some Youtube videos claiming to show how to fix this specific issue. I just Googled "Windows Defender error 0x800704ec".
Apologies if you've tried this already.
I haven't watched any of the videos, so I can't vouch for their usefulness.
Apologies if you've tried this already.
I haven't watched any of the videos, so I can't vouch for their usefulness.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: N. Spain
Thanks for that B&t. I´ll have a look and give it a go.
My search also mentioned Avast antivirus which I have used for years in conjunction with WD so I looked there and found this.
Avast 12.2.2276 and Windows Defender (Windows 7)
« on: July 29, 2016, 11:48:38 AM »
It looks like that new Avast version disabled Windows Defender.
Error says that it is disabled by Group Policy (Error Code : 0x800704ec).
In Group Policy I don't see that Windows Defender is disabled.
I can enable it through Registry, but after reboot it is disabled again.
I never had any problems running both Avast and Windows Defender as antispyware.
Thanks again for the pointer.
My search also mentioned Avast antivirus which I have used for years in conjunction with WD so I looked there and found this.
Avast 12.2.2276 and Windows Defender (Windows 7)
« on: July 29, 2016, 11:48:38 AM »
It looks like that new Avast version disabled Windows Defender.
Error says that it is disabled by Group Policy (Error Code : 0x800704ec).
In Group Policy I don't see that Windows Defender is disabled.
I can enable it through Registry, but after reboot it is disabled again.
I never had any problems running both Avast and Windows Defender as antispyware.
Thanks again for the pointer.
Last edited by Shack37; 5th October 2016 at 09:24.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: N. Spain
IT expert told me do not have 3rd party security software with Windows 10 and its Defender.
Am happy so far
Am happy so far
If that also applies to Windows 7 maybe I won´t renew Avast and just stick with Defender.
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 38
From: Southport
Most things I've seen say it's a bad idea to have two anti-virus programs running at the same time as they will clash, try and scan the same files at the same time and so on. Having said that Windows Defender always played nice with other scanners, maybe it's changed recently and that's no longer the case.
