A while back, I downloaded AdAware, to stop the pop-up problem that I had. Then I found out that Windows Defender was supposed to be doing that job, so I removed AdAware using the add/remove section of the Control Panel, not realizing that I was supposed to use the AdAware un-install! It seems that when I loaded AdAware, Windows Defender disabled itself, and now it won't load, because there are remnants of AdAware in my files! Talk about help from Microsoft! They want $100 to fix a problem which they had a hand in! ANOTHER COMPANY THAT'S NOTHING BUT SLIME< trying to take advantage of somebody on Disability Pension! GOD DAMN, it makes me bloody mad! Does any body have a idea what I can do with this Windows 7 abortion, aside from pitching it out the f******g window?

Hi, Please boot into Clean Boot Mode and check if Windows Defender can be turned on. Hope this helps. Jeremy Wu TechNet Community Support

Thanks, Jeremy! I'll give it a shot! RanaldRanald Hooper

You might try Microsoft Security Essentials instead, it's a full anti virus suite, and it's free :D http://windows.microsoft.com/MSE

Well, Jeremy, the clean boot didn't work. I guess I'll just leave it as it is and download a better malware fighter. Thanks for your help! Ranald HooperRanald Hooper

@DarkIQ! If you knew of what you speak, you would know that Windows Defender is a part of Microsoft Security Essentials! Ranald Hooper

Yes I know it's part of, but windows 7 comes pre-loaded with Windows Defender, it does not come pre-loaded with mse, why only have part of an app? no need to be rude :D

I wasn't being rude!...just honest! My Windows 7 came with Defender as part of Microsoft Security!Ranald Hooper

Lol, I hear ya, but MSE came out after windows 7 was released, so it might help with your issue :D you also might try (I almost hate to recommend this) re installing ad-aware, and uninstalling it, to see if it will fully get rid of it with a new install. It looks like this is what lava soft is recommending for your situation. Here is a link with more info. http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/index.php?showtopic=28 Let me know if any of that is helpful :D

Hi, I tried everything you suggested, everything Lavasoft suggested, including a new installation of AdAware, and when I tried to use the old uninstall, but that wouldn't work, so I just removed it using the add/remove option of my control panel. I've deleted evrything I can find that's relted to Lavasoft, and I'll be using Malwarebytes Anti Malware to protect my computer. Thanks for trying to help me, and I didn't mean to sound rude!Ranald Hooper

Sorry I wasn't able to help :(