Then I had to take the plunge and do a Windows 10 'Repair Upgrade', using the Media Creation tool. Protection options in Defender was still grayed out. I found a batch file that attempts to resolve issues with Windows Update (as Defender refused to update, and so did Windows), and while it kind of worked, it still didn't resolve the issue. I did more research and looks like the issue is more on Windows side, as it's supposed to bring Defender back up after other Antivirus has been removed, but there seems to be issues with this. It's done more damage to my system than any malware or virus in the last 7 years.

While MB is great, I will never recommend it ever again. Worst of all, I downloaded Bitdefender free in an attempt to at least keep my guard up, but no, that refuses to protect my system too. What I have found is many people have suffered the same fate thanks to MB. My Google-Fu is strong, I've spent two days going over all the 'fixes', registry edits, group policy, you name it I've tried it, but Defender refuses to protect. Or so I thought, turns out it screws up Windows BIG TIME. download the MB removal tool, MB gets removed. So a week later the trial is up, and it's time to remove MB again and go back to Defender.

it at least gave me the direction to where to try and fix it. An Extention I was using to block ads decided to start using a browser bitcoin miner, which apparently is 'legit' so while Windows Defender and MB both didn't flag it or found a virus, hijack, malware or PUP. Helped find the bastard that was causing it (blocked the webservers, showed a popup). So I had some high Chrome CPU usage and decided to give old Malwarebytes a go, they offered a Premium trial, so why not.

Malwarebytes premium trial forevr