Your IT administrator has disabled Windows Security

When you access Windows Security, the integrated antivirus / security solution, if you receive an error indicating: Unable to open this application, your IT administrator has disabled Windows security. Contact your IT support service; Then this message can help you find a solution to this. This is one of the strange problems I have faced recently, and it happened on my two computers, and I was able to solve it by changing some settings. I searched it on the internet and found that there was absolutely no mention of this particular error message. I tried several methods, but that was what finally helped me.

Your IT administrator has disabled Windows security

The error appears as soon as you launch Windows Security, and it can display the Windows Security application for a moment, it will be instantly replaced by this small window asking you to contact your IT manager. What is strange is that it appeared on my Windows 10 computer at home, and I am the only administrator of this account. The other computer belongs to my son; he has a standard account on the computer. If you experience this problem, log in to your administrator account and use one of these methods to resolve this problem.

1. Group policy method
2. Recording method

Since Windows 10 Home users do not have access to Group Policy, they can use the registry method. However, be sure to create a system restore point.

1]Group policy method

Open the Group Policy Editor by typing gpedit.msc in the Run prompt (Win + R). Then go to:

Computer Configuration> Administrative Templates> Windows Components> Windows Security.

Here you have several policies for Windows security, which you will have to modify to activate the return access:

• Account protection
• Protection of applications and browsers
• Device performance and health
• Device security
• Family options
• Firewall and network protection
• Notifications
• Systray
• Protection against viruses and threats

Open each of these folders and double-click to open the policies it contains. Change Not configured at disabled.

I would recommend not changing anything that is under the corporate customization policy, unless it applies to your computer.

Here is a screenshot when I activated some settings. When you do, it will automatically appear in Windows Security.

The first parameter change following this method will allow access to the Windows Security application.

Compare the image above with the one below. As soon as I selected disabled for device performance and integrity domain policy, it immediately appeared in the Windows security application.

After enabling them all, I was able to access all Windows security settings without a problem. I guess something changed all of these settings and blocked my access to the Windows security application. It was not disabled because it could block any virus or unwanted program from the Internet, and I could see it in the Task Manager. I could not access it even with administrator permission.

2]Recording method

Open Registry Editor by typing Regedit at the Run prompt (Win + R), then pressing the Enter key. Then go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender Security Center

Define the following or create a respective DWORD as follows:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender Security CenterAccount protection

“UILockdown” = dword: 00000000

To create a DWORD, go to Account protection then right click on the right side. Create a DWORD with a name UILockdownand set its value to 0.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender Security CenterApp and Browser protection

“DisallowExploitProtectionOverride” = dword: 00000000
“UILockdown” = dword: 00000000

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender Security CenterDevice performance and health

“UILockdown” = dword: 00000000

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender Security CenterDevice security

“DisableClearTpmButton” = dword: 00000000
“DisableTpmFirmwareUpdateWarning” = dword: 00000000
“HideSecureBoot” = dword: 00000000
“HideTPMTroubleshooting” = dword: 00000000
“UILockdown” = dword: 00000000

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender Security CenterFamily options

“UILockdown” = dword: 00000000

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender Security CenterFirewall and network protection

UILockdown “= dword: 00000000

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender Security CenterNotifications

“DisableEnhancedNotifications” = dword: 00000000
“DisableNotifications” = dword: 00000000

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender Security CenterSystray

“HideSystray” = dword: 00000000

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender Security CenterVirus and threat protection

“UILockdown” = dword: 00000000
“HideRansomwareRecovery” = dword: 00000000

If the computer cannot access Group Policy or the Registry Editor, create an administrator account on your computer and use it to change the settings.

I hope the publication will help you access the Windows security application.

Related reading: How to reset Windows security to default settings.

• Keywords: Troubleshooting, Windows Defender