Yes, I updated the Defender definitions (defs) with the download link and it worked without issues. Later in the evening, I tried to update again using the Defender UI and surprisingly it updated giving me a newer version of defs. Next I updated my other Windows 8.1 using the Defender UI and it also worked. So at least for now, Defender Updates appears to be working ok again ..read more

Yes, I’ve seen the update problem has resurrected itself again and like you it began for me within the past week.  I’ve not checked online for any posts about 8.1 updating but knew I wasn’t the only person affected and was thinking about how soon I’d see posts here.  Sueska, you can use this address:  https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/definitions/antimalware-definition-release-notes to manually update in lieu of the normal process.  I have used it in the past and did again sometime in the last week.  It’s legit and safe and gets the job done but read the page and un ..read more

Win 8.1 Defender updates acting up again for me.  It had been OK for a while but attempting to update signatures yesterday failed repeatedly from the UI.  I ended up downloading the signature update file and manually installing them ..read more

Having trouble again with Windows Defender updates for Windows 8.1. When I try to manually update there isn’t any error message; it appears to start to update, but ultimately just stops. Noticed this happening on 2 computers with Windows 8.1 since yesterday. My last successful manual update was 4-17-24. Anyone else having trouble again ..read more

Oops, hadn’t realized I had to select Resolved before I wrote my reply! So here is my Resolved message! ? Linda ..read more

Hi Lougers, A final update and we can call this topic “resolved”…I finally tested the USB Macrium thumb drive to ensure I could boot from it; then, I ensured it could locate the new image on my external drive; finally, I created a second image just now, just in case. So I think I’m all set (at least for now!). Many thanks once more for ALL the help and advice and suggestions and links you provided as I worked my way through this. I feel much more comfortable re. backups and I know I’ve learned a lot. With appreciation, Linda   ..read more

If  “Does the computer hard boot to the Win 7 GUI?”  mean does the Windows desktop come up when I turn the computer on,  the answer is yes.   ..read more

Ran sfc /verifyonly which reported no problems found ..read more

Assuming George1 can get to an Admin Command Prompt.  A non-admin Command Prompt maybe. Does the computer hard boot to the Win 7 GUI ..read more

And you need to run it in an Admin Command Prompt. https://grok.lsu.edu/article.aspx?articleid=16850 Copy / type sfc /scannow into the Command window and press Enter. cheers, Paul ..read more