Windows Security Not Opening in Windows 11: How to Fix it

Resetting the security app using PowerShell should fix this issue

by Loredana Harsana
Loredana Harsana
Loredana Harsana
Managing Editor
Loredana is a passionate writer with a keen interest in PC software and technology. She started off writing about mobile phones back when Samsung Galaxy S II was... read more
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Reviewed by Vlad Turiceanu
Vlad Turiceanu
Vlad Turiceanu
Editor-in-Chief
Passionate about technology, Windows, and everything that has a power button, he spent most of his time developing new skills and learning more about the tech world. Coming... read more
Affiliate Disclosure
  • Users have been complaining that Windows 11's Security center isn't opening. Third-party antivirus software could be related to this issue.
  • The first solution would be to reset or reinstall the tool using PowerShell.
  • You can also repair the app from the settings or disable any third-party antivirus app on your PC.
windows-security-load windows 11 security center not opening
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When you install Windows 11, Windows Security, also known as Windows Defender, becomes the default antivirus and security solution. It is one of the most excellent remedies available, and it is effective in the vast majority of circumstances.

Nevertheless, one of the most frequently encountered concerns has been that, after an upgrade or random upgrade, the Windows 11 Windows Security is not opening or functioning as expected.

Why is my Windows Security not opening on Windows 11?

The reasons Windows Security settings are not opening or launching on Windows 11 after upgrading are close to close. Below are the popular reasons:

  • Glitches with the app: One of the reasons Windows security is not loading on Windows 11 is some glitches preventing it from opening. The solution here is to reset the app.
  • Faulty system files: If the system files meant to load the Windows Security apps are faulty, the app won’t open. You need to repair the system files to fix this.

How can I fix the Windows 11 Windows Security not opening issue?

In this article

1. Reset using PowerShell Command

  1. Right-click on the Start icon and select the Windows Terminal (Admin) option.windows-terminal windows 11 security center not opening
  2. Click the dropdown at the top and select the Windows PowerShell option.
    powershell security not opening windows 11-windows-11
  3. Copy and paste the command below and hit Enter: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.SecHealthUI -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackageget windows security not opening windows 11
  4. Restart your PC and check if the Windows Security app is now working.
  5. If it does not work, type the command below and hit Enter to reinstall the app: Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"} powershell-command windows 11 security center not opening

You need to reset the app if Windows Security is not working or Windows Defender is not opening. The command below has worked for many. You can reinstall the app using the second command if resetting does not work.

2. Repair the app

  1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app, choose Apps in the left pane, followed by Apps & features.apps-apps-and-feature windows 11 outlook crashing
  2. Once you are inside the Apps & features window, search for Windows Security in the search bar from the top, and click on the three-dot menu next to it, followed by Advanced options.windows-security-app windows 11 security center not opening
  3. Scroll down until you find the Reset section, then click on the Repair button to start the repairing process.
    repair-app windows 11 outlook crashing

Allow the Repair process to finish before rebooting your computer to guarantee that your changes are applied. Then, bystarting Windows Security lets you see if its functionality has been restored.

3. Reset the app

  1. Press the Windows key + I, go to Apps in the left pane, followed by Apps & features.apps-apps-and-feature windows 11 outlook crashing
  2. Once inside the Apps & features window, search for Windows Security in the search bar, and click on the three-dot menu. Now click on Advanced options.windows-security-app windows 11 security center not opening
  3. Scroll down until you meet the Reset section, then click on the Reset button.reset-app windows 11 skype crashing

4. Run SFC

  1. Press the Windows + S key to open the Search bar, then type cmd, right-click on the most relevant result shown to you, and run it as an Administrator to get full privileges.cmd-run-as-admin avast high cpu windows 11
  2. Type in the following command and press Enter to start the process:
    sfc /scannowsfc-scan-windows-11 gdi+windows error message on shutdown

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The process may take some time to finish, so you may need to restart your computer. SFC will automatically find and restore corrupted files and folders. If that does not help, you can try Restoro, which is much more advanced than Windows built-in tools.

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5. Run DISM

  1. Press the Windows + S key to open the Search bar, then type cmd, and right-click on the most relevant result to run it as an Administrator.cmd-run-as-admin avast high cpu windows 11
  2. Paste or type in the following commands and press Enter after each: DISM /online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthdism-command the installer has encountered an unexpected error installing this package 2203

Continue to be patient until the process is finished. Be advised that the process could take up to ten minutes to finish. Once you’ve completed this step, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.

6. Disable your antivirus

  1. Click the expand arrow from your taskbar and right-click on your antivirus icon. Now choose Avast shields control followed by Disable for 10 minutes to stop it from interfering.disable-antivirus-icon xbox controller not recognized windows 11
  2. If you have other antivirus programs installed, you can temporarily disable the app following the same steps as above or similar ones with a few differences.avira-disable-icon xbox controller not recognized windows 11

With the fixes above, you should be able to fix the Windows Security not opening on Windows 11 issue. If you want to use a third-party tool, check out our post on five of the best antiviruses for Windows 11.

Alternatively, you can look at our article on the best antiviruses with low CPU usage for Windows 11.

Let us know in the comments section below which solution worked best for you in solving the Windows 11 Windows Defender not working issue and which antivirus software you prefer.

Still experiencing issues?

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