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Windows Defender link error message? This is the solution

Stefan
Stefan
June 18, 2022
You need a new app to open this windows defender link error message

When you open Windows Defender (Windows Security) settings in Windows 11 or Windows 10, you receive the following error message:

"You need a new app to open this windowsdefender link".

You need a new app to open this windows defender link error message

A system file has become corrupted and is preventing Windows from accessing the Windows Security system settings. Personally, I think it is a strange error message, since I had not changed anything on my computer system.

I therefore suspect that it is another typical error message that arises from updates from Microsoft. From the many responses to this article, I can conclude that this Windows Defender link error message occurs most often when upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 via Windows update.

You need a new app to open this windows defender link error message

The solution is simple. This is how it works.

Click the start button and search for PowerShell. Right click on it PowerShell result and click "Run as administrator".

Run PowerShell as Administrator

In the PowerShell window, paste the following text below.

You do this by copying this text and then right-clicking in PowerShell. The command below will be pasted automatically, confirm the action with the enter key.

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Run PowerShell command

You will then see a whole bunch of (“deployment”) actions being performed with the occasional red error message in between. That is not a problem at all.

The error messages you see mean that a certain component that is being repaired already exists. The recovery action continues as usual.

PowerShell to fix windowsdefender link error message

Wait until the command is completely ready. This may take several minutes.

When the action is complete, type: exit. Or you close the window. Then restart your computer.

Read also
Enable efficiency mode in the Microsoft Edge browser

After restarting your computer, you will see that “Windows Security” or “Windows Defender” works again as before.

The error message “You need a new app to open this windowsdefender link" is solved.

Leave a comment if you succeeded!

Windows security

Didn't work, are you still getting the windows defender link error? Try this.

Open another PowerShell window as Administrator. Copy and paste the following line into the PowerShell window and confirm with the enter key.

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.SecHealthUI -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage

I hope this helped you. Thank you for reading!


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117 comments

  1. Windows 11 version 21H2 (HP desktop): Device security, sub core isolation, sub memory integrity cannot be enabled… due to incompatible driver PxHelp64 (PxHIpa64.sys)… ? Don't know which program is linked to this? How to solve? Thanks in advance, Johan

    To answer

    1. Hello, that is a driver related to CD/DVD software. I read Microsoft Virtual CD/DVD or Sonic CD/DVD. It must be something like that. You must remove the driver. Start with the software, then try uninstalling the device in Device Manager. Good luck! Greetings, Stefan

      To answer

  4. Hallo,

    After updating from W10 to W11 on a new surface Pro7 I had a problem with “you need a new app to use this windows defender…..”. Thanks to your tip, it worked out great and everything is fine now.

    Your site is now in my favorites and I regret not having discovered it sooner.

    Thanks for your help.

    Jozef

    To answer

  6. Good day

    Thanks I'm back in Defender with your help, but if possible...

    I would like to know how I can delete an app as a “layman”.
    I keep getting the code 2503
    I have a Sony camera that I hardly ever use, but coincidentally I did this week and I had to create an account
    then you will get a shortcut for Playmemories home etc. which we then belong to, creating an account yourself already gave problems so it was not completed
    Now I want to delete that shortcut and everything in my control panel, and even via Windows 11, but that doesn't work, I always get a 2503 error screen, possibly a problem with this package
    That's all good and all, but I want to get rid of it...
    Do you have a quick, effective tip and clear explanation to get rid of this?

    Another question is, is Windows Defender from Windows 11 sufficient or do I have to buy an extra virus scanner? Defender has an exclamation mark as always, now something with an app, but I don't see a solution to it
    After scan everything is fine, it's strange, aren't there free scanners that I can use, it costs too much for everything I don't have

    Thank you in advance for the effort you have made

    Best regards,
    Jansen

    I

    To answer

    1. Hello, the error message you see, error message 2503 or 2502, is due to problems with the installation. In this case, this may mean that the installation is damaged and therefore the “uninstaller” (the removal process) cannot be started. I recommend that you reinstall the software. After reinstalling the software in question, you can try to uninstall the software via the control panel.

      If it still doesn't work, you can try to remove the software with Revo Uninstaller free: https://www.revouninstaller.com/nl/revo-uninstaller-free-download/

      Windows Defender has been one of the best for years when it comes to protection against viruses. So it is not necessary to install an antivirus package in addition. In a number of cases, people want extra protection, such as protection for internet banking or extra protection against unwanted websites. In those cases it is best to install another antivirus package.

      The error message you see “the exclamation point” when you indicate something with “app” is probably “app and browser control” that is disabled. If you enable this option, click on the exclamation point and click on enable. If there is an exclamation mark next to “virus threat” then it is the antivirus protection, but I don't suspect that based on your message.

      Good luck! Greetings, Stefan

      To answer

  7. After updating Windows 10 to 11, this problem suddenly appeared. But now it all works perfectly again. Thank you very much for the clear explanation! Greetings, Ben

    To answer

  8. Perfect, everything works again.
    I didn't even need the 2nd option.
    I understood from someone that this problem only occurs if you update from W10 to W11.
    This has been the case with us.
    I'm happy, thank you.

    To answer

    1. Hello, glad it has been resolved. The fact that it is due to the upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is indeed evident from the many responses.
      Greetings, Stefan

      To answer

  9. Yesterday I installed Windows 11 on my laptop and discovered that I could no longer open Windows Defender. I got the message: “You need a new app to open Windows Defender link”.
    I found this site via Google and did exactly what was explained on this site. After restarting the problem was solved!

    Thank you very much for the good solution!

    To answer

  12. Good afternoon Stefan,

    Unfortunately, it just won't work for me.
    After all the steps have been completed, I eventually get the message that it cannot be done because "resources are in use that require changes to be made", and that "Microsoft Teams apps need to be closed".
    I'm not aware that these are open, don't they close automatically when closing?
    And which sources are in use?
    It would be very nice if you knew the solution.

    Nice site by the way, saved to my favorites right away.

    best regards,
    Marloes

    To answer

      1. Thank you very much for your response, Stefan, Microsoft Teams has been disabled.
        Now I get the response that the Microsoft Your Phone and Microsoft Windows apps need to be closed. But where can I find it?
        I'm a bit regretting the update to Windows 11 in the meantime, the problems have started since then.

        With regards
        Marloes

        To answer

          1. Good morning Stefan,

            I restarted in safe mode, but then I couldn't get anywhere!
            I was very shocked, so I shut down completely and restarted normally.
            Then everything was back to normal, and guess what? The notification for virus and threat protection was gone! Now only the exclamation mark in app and browser management.
            Thank you! Half of the problem has been solved thanks to your help.
            If you have a tip about what remains, I would appreciate it.
            With regards
            Marloes

  13. I also had the problem and performed the first steps. At first I thought I had done something wrong, but after restarting Windows Defender it worked again.

    Thank you very much!!!!

    To answer

  23. I encountered this error message when attempting to restart the Windows Defender Firewall after uninstalling virus scanner Panda. Did not work via “services”: in properties “startup type” is gray. But now I get the error message via your method:
    Add-AppxPackage : Deployment failed with HRESULT: 0x80073D0A, The package was not installed because the Windows Firewall service is not running. Enable the Windows Firewall service and try again.
    error 0x80073D0A: Failed to install package Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge.Stable_101.0.1210.47_neutral__8wekyb3d8bbwe because
    the firewall service is not running. Ensure that the firewall service is enabled and started.
    What's that called again? I need a new app to start the firewall, but I can't get it because the firewall is not running. A vicious circle.
    The alternative solution doesn't work for me either. The term 'Reset-AppxPackage' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program.
    Still, I have an up to date version of Windows 10. Thanks in advance for advice.

    To answer

    1. Hello, The firewall has not started. You can try to start this with the tips below. Try the tip in

      1. agree with this article. The command that this advisor advises must be executed in Powershell as administrator.
      https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/add-appxpackage-deployment-failed-with-hresult/4f64b1a6-8ce0-414b-825e-9bf4fe5e2dfc

      After this, try the tip from this article to resolve the Windows Defender Link error message again.

      2. otherwise try starting the firewall with this tool. Then try the tips from this article again:
      https://www.pc-tips.info/tips/windows-tips/malwarebytes-windows-firewall-control/

      3. Firewall settings are blocked: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-defender-firewall-services-are-greyed-out/66aa9517-16cd-41f8-a30f-dde314561651

      4. Firewall settings are blocked: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/windows-firewall-settings-are-greyed-out-b3b204df-6b85-8e41-4ac5-4f1ec015bd97

      5. firewall reset tool (recommended): https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/automatically-diagnose-and-fix-problems-with-windows-firewall-513e9cf8-19ae-d579-2092-d5e64fe06f5f

      Greetings, Stefan

      To answer

      1. Tried all tips, in order 5,1,2,3,4. The troubleshooter (tip 5) simply reports that the problem has not been solved. 1,2 and 3 also have no result. Finally, success with tip 4! Thank you very much Stefan

        To answer

  24. (this) solution regarding "You need a new app to open this Windows Defender link error message" worked in one go, thank you!

    The problem arose after the update from Windows 10 to Windows 11 (via the standard Windows update process).

    To answer

  26. I tried your solution several times, but unfortunately the message remained.
    Only then did I start reading all 58 responses.
    and, yes! Your solution from March 18 worked for me too!
    Thanks!

    To answer

  28. Thanks for the solution, just purchased a medion laptop with Windows 10 and immediately did all updates including Windows 11 and then received this error message after removing standard virus software from McAfee.
    Now the Microsoft defender works perfectly again.

    To answer

      1. Thanks for the instruction, the problem has disappeared like snow in the sun. I also encountered this problem after uninstalling McAfee.

        To answer

        1. Thanks for your response! I'm going to test this out. I'd like to hear from more people who experience this problem after uninstalling McAfee.
          Greetings, Stefan

          To answer

  29. After a clean Windows 11 installation I got this problem to great annoyance, I checked many sites but nothing worked.
    This tip worked immediately and without any problems!
    Thanks for this quick working fix!

    Regards,
    Samuel

    To answer

  30. hello Stefan,
    I did everything correctly as indicated above
    afterwards restarted and unfortunately still the message from that microsoft store...
    what else can I do to resolve this
    thank you in advance
    Greetings Walter

    To answer

    1. Hello, I am contacting you via email with a request for a screenshot. I suspect that you do not have a Windows Defender link error message...
      Greetings, Stefan

      To answer

  31. This was a quick fix, thank you! It happened to me too after a Windows 11 update and now it works fine again. Super! How do you come up with entering that “line” (get-app…)? I only know this from my hobby on my Linux PC, I didn't know this was also possible on Windows.

    To answer

  32. I (78) have been desperately looking for a solution and fortunately I am now free of it. Thank you very much. I got this phenomenon after Windows 11 update.

    To answer

    1. Hello, glad it worked! You can recognize the error by the message “You need a new app to open this Windows Defender link”. It is not clear to me which update could be causing this problem as mentioned in the article.
      Greetings, Stefan

      To answer

  37. Hi Stefan,

    thank you for your clear explanation. However, I'm stuck. As soon as it has been pasted in and I press enter, I get the message that Access has been denied. How can I proceed now?

    Yours faithfully,
    Brian

    To answer

    1. Hello, have you run PowerShell as Administrator? Also make sure you use an administrator account, a user with administrative rights on the PC.
      Greetings, Stefan

      To answer

  41. Stefan you are my hero!

    Still just as exciting, to trust it. And great that you solved this, but Microsoft should offer a solution for this, right? It is because the road to the helpdesk can be so excruciatingly miserable, perhaps someone with more stamina or time to report this properly,
    thanks Iglo…

    To answer

  46. Hello Stefan,
    Just like you, I like to help (older) people with PC problems. (completely free)
    I encountered this problem after upgrading to Windows 10 and removing McAfee from a laptop with Windows 11 and McAfee on it.
    I'm not sure I enabled 'Run as Administrator'. Could that be the reason it didn't help? Anyway the problem is not solved.
    Can you help me find a solution?
    thanks in advance
    Gerard

    To answer

    1. Hello, nice to read that you also like to help with computer problems. I would advise against it Try again with administrator rights if possible. The instructions in this article should do the trick. Unfortunately I can't reproduce it either.

      What this script does is reinstall apps and components via a manifest file, so it is therefore necessary to run this script via PowerShell with administrator rights.

      You can try the following. Open PowerShell as administrator and enter the following command:

      Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.SecHealthUI -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage

      The code above performs a reset. I hope this works out.

      Greetings, Stefan

      To answer

  48. Stephen,
    Great that you published this solution. I was able to solve the problem and my W11 PC is buzzing as usual again. Thank you

    To answer

  51. After upgrading from Windows 10 to 11 I indeed had this problem.
    The solution offered works for me.
    I am very pleased with this.
    Thanks.

    To answer

  53. Stephen,
    Immediately after upgrading from a 'new computer' with Windows 10 on it to Windows 11 with its new additional updates, I wanted to run the Windows Defender antivirus scan for a while. Unfortunately, I came across the same entry as shown above, namely the 'Windows Defender link' (error message), for which an App does not even exist in the Microsoft Store. A temporarily free antivirus program from McAfee (14 d.) that had just expired kept prompting me to continue using it. My previous experience with Windows Defender on Windows 10 computers has always been positive. Since I then thought that the McAfee program (1GB) might have caused the above mention so that it could continue to run for a fee, my choice of complete removal of this McAfee software was quickly made. This in the hope of solving the Windows Defender blockage. Unfortunately, nothing changed until I reported this error message on the Internet and ended up on this site. As you clearly described above, I followed everything step by step, with the result that after restarting the computer and the custom updates it processed, I was able to open 'Windows security' without any problems!
    Thank you very much Stefan for putting this utility on the Internet. There may still be computers that will experience this problem due to an 'error' in the upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
    Greetings, Dirk.

    To answer
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