Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-11

How to Fix: Error while opening the Windows Defender in Windows Server 2016

Windows Defender permission error on Windows Server 2016

Quick Answer: Run the Windows Defender as an administrator by right-clicking on the icon and selecting 'Run as administrator'.

Error while opening Windows Defender in Windows Server 2016 can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to protect your server from malware. This error occurs when the Windows Defender service is unable to access its configuration settings due to a lack of permission.

It's essential to resolve this issue as soon as possible to ensure the security and integrity of your server.

🔍 Why This Happens

  • The primary reason for this error is that the Windows Defender service may not have been configured correctly during the installation process, or it might be missing some required permissions. Additionally, if the Group Policy Editor has been disabled or modified, it can also cause this issue.
  • In some cases, the Windows Defender service might be conflicting with another security software installed on the server.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Enabling Windows Defender via Group Policy

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Open the Group Policy Editor by typing 'gpedit.msc' in the Run dialog box (Windows key + R) and pressing Enter.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Navigate to the following location: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender. Ensure that the 'Turn Windows Defender on or off' policy is enabled and set to 'Enabled'.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Click 'Apply' and then 'OK' to save the changes.

Granting Windows Defender Service Permissions

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting 'Command Prompt (Admin)'.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Run the command 'netsh advfirewall set rule dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport= enable=True' to grant permission for the Windows Defender service.

✨ Wrapping Up

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the Error while opening Windows Defender in Windows Server 2016. Remember to regularly update your server's security patches and configurations to ensure optimal protection against malware and other threats.

Did this fix your problem?

If not, try searching for specific error codes.

🔍 Search Error Database

❓ Frequently Asked Questions