Windows Defender is a built-in antivirus software that comes with Windows 11 operating system. It provides real-time protection against viruses, malware, and other online threats. However, some users have reported a common issue where Windows Defender displays a message saying “You’re using other antivirus providers” even when they don’t have any third-party antivirus installed on their computer.
This error message can be frustrating, as it prevents users from using the real-time protection of Windows Defender, leaving their computers vulnerable to malware attacks. In this article, we’ll discuss why this error message appears and how to fix it.
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Why does Windows Defender show the error message?
When Windows Defender detects a third-party antivirus program running on your computer, it disables itself and shows a message saying “You’re using other antivirus providers” and often accompanied by another message that says “Microsoft Defender Antivirus is snoozed“.
However, sometimes, even if you don’t have any antivirus software installed, Windows Defender may still show the message “You’re using other antivirus providers” and tells you that “Real-time protection is off, leaving your device vulnerable“.
Also see: Windows Defender Security Center Service Missing Windows 11/10
The cause of the problem
One potential cause of the “You’re using other antivirus providers” issue on Windows 11 is a corrupted Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) repository. The WMI repository is a database that stores information about system settings and configuration data, including information about Windows Defender’s real-time protection. If this repository becomes corrupted, it can cause various issues, including the “You’re using other antivirus providers” error message.
Another possible cause of the issue is leftover files and registry entries from a third-party antivirus program that were not properly removed during the uninstallation process. These leftover files can interfere with Windows Defender’s real-time protection and cause it to display the message that you’re using other antivirus providers.
Related issue: Your Virus and threat protection is managed by your organization (Fix)
Solutions to fix the “You’re using other antivirus providers” issue on Windows 11
Here are some solutions to fix the Windows Defender’s “You’re using other antivirus providers” issue on Windows 11, so that you can turn on Windows Defender again.
Ensure complete removal of previous antivirus software
First, make sure that you’ve properly uninstalled any previous antivirus program from your computer using the program’s built-in uninstaller or the Windows uninstaller. After uninstalling the program, it’s recommended to use a specialized uninstaller tool provided by the antivirus program vendor to ensure that all files and registry entries associated with the program are completely removed from your computer.
These tools are designed to remove any remnants that may have been left behind during the normal uninstallation process. You can usually find the uninstaller tool on the vendor’s website or in the program’s installation folder. After using the uninstaller tool, restart your computer and check if Windows Defender is working correctly.
Reinstall Windows Defender
If removing remnants of the previous antivirus software doesn’t resolve the issue, reinstalling Windows Defender can be an effective solution to try. Reinstalling Windows Defender resets the software’s settings and configuration data, which may have been affected by the previous antivirus software. This process can help restore Windows Defender to its default state and resolve any issues that may have been caused by the previous software.
Repairing the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) repository
If the above methods don’t work, you can try repairing the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) repository. The WMI repository is a database that stores information about system settings and configuration data, including information about Windows Defender’s real-time protection.
Running the “winmgmt /salvagerepository” command in Command Prompt (Admin) can help repair any inconsistencies in the WMI repository and restore its functionality. To do this, follow these steps:
- Click on the Start menu and type “Command Prompt” in the search bar. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator” from the options menu.
- Type “
winmgmt /salvagerepositoryand press Enter.
- Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
Enabling the Windows Defender service
Sometimes, the Windows Defender service may have been disabled due to conflicts with the previous antivirus software or other issues. Enabling the service can help ensure that Windows Defender is running correctly and providing real-time protection against online threats. To enable the service, follow these steps:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Type
"C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\mpcmdrun.exe" -wdenableand press Enter.
Replace C: if your Windows installation is in another drive. - Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
Resetting the WMI repository to its default settings
If the WMI repository is corrupted, resetting it to its default settings can help fix the issue. However, it’s important to note that resetting the repository to its default settings can have unintended consequences and potentially cause system instability. Therefore, it’s recommended to create a system restore point before attempting to reset the WMI repository.
The “winmgmt /resetrepository” command in Command Prompt (Admin) can help restore the WMI repository to its original state and fix any issues that were caused by corruption. To do this, follow these steps:
- Run CMD as administrator.
- Type
winmgmt /resetrepositoryand press Enter.
- Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
Install a third-party antivirus software and uninstall it
Although it may seem counter-intuitive, another solution to try is to install a third-party antivirus software and then uninstall it. This may help trigger Windows Defender to detect that there is no longer any third-party antivirus software on your computer, and allow you to turn on Windows Defender’s real-time protection again.
To do this, simply install any third-party antivirus software of your choice and then uninstall it using the program’s built-in uninstaller or the Windows uninstaller. After uninstalling the program, restart your computer and check if Windows Defender is working correctly.
Wrap-up
The “You’re using other antivirus providers” issue on Windows 11 can be frustrating for users who want to rely on the built-in antivirus software. However, with the solutions provided in this article, you can fix the issue and use Windows Defender to protect your computer from online threats. Remember to ensure that all remnants of the previous antivirus software are removed from your computer to avoid any conflicts with Windows Defender’s real-time protection.
