ConfigureDefender utility for Windows 10

[Andy Ful]

What triggers this command-line? Is it related to the WD task in the Task Scheduler?
Look at the folder:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\
Is the version 4.18.2004.6-0 the last one? I have got it 21.04.2020, and my current version is 4.18.2005.4-0.
Please try the command-line in CMD with Admin privileges:

cd C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\4.18.2004.6-0\
MpCmdRun.exe -signatureupdate

If it would not work, then something probably spoiled WD or Windows Updates.

 

[SeriousHoax]

What triggers this command-line? Is it related to the WD task in the Task Scheduler?
Look at the folder:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\
Is the version 4.18.2004.6-0 the last one? I have got it 21.04.2020, and my current version is 4.18.2005.4-0.
Please try the command-line in CMD with Admin privileges:

cd C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\4.18.2004.6-0\
MpCmdRun.exe -signatureupdate

If it would not work, then something probably spoiled WD or Windows Updates.

I'm not sure. There's always an error like this when update fails for some reason.
This is what I'm getting after applying the command line. It stays like this, no change, nothing is downloading.

 

[Digmor Crusher]

Hey Andy, here's a puzzle for you, why so many instances of these in "Taskbar settings - Select which icons appear on the taskbar"?

There are 8 for Firewall Hardening and 4 for Configure Defender, almost seems like every time I open up the gui another instance appears.

 

[JohnR]

4 for Configure Defender

I too have 4 x occurrences of CD

 

[Andy Ful]

Hey Andy, here's a puzzle for you, why so many instances of these in "Taskbar settings - Select which icons appear on the taskbar"?

There are 8 for Firewall Hardening and 4 for Configure Defender, almost seems like every time I open up the gui another instance appears.

View attachment 240154

I too have 4 x occurrences of CD

It seems that these applications are remembered by Windows when running from different locations. You can use CCleaner or simple tool Notification Area Cleaner (works also on Windows 10) to reset the notification area cache:

https://www.softpedia.com/get/System/File-Management/Notification-Area-Cleaner-for-Windows-7.shtml

One can clean the notification area cache by using CMD commands:

reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify" /v IconStreams /f
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TrayNotify" /v PastIconsStream /f
taskkill /im explorer.exe /f
start "Shell Restarter" /d "%systemroot%" /i /normal explorer.exe
echo finished

 

[Digmor Crusher]

Thanks Andy, I will try tomorrow.

Don't you ever sleep??

 

[ForgottenSeer 85179]

Don't you ever sleep??

a programmer converts coffee into code

 

[Andy Ful]

a programmer converts coffee into code

Yes. I have to drink some coffee now, thanks.

 

[Andy Ful]

I think that adding an icon to the notification area is not necessary for portable applications.
It can be annoying because these portable applications run from random folders. So, I will remove this feature in ConfigureDefender and FirewallHardening in the next versions.

 

[Digmor Crusher]

Thanks Andy, I had CD on desktop, moved to folder and same thing, keeps reproducing everytime its opened.

 

[oldschool]

Thanks Andy, I had CD on desktop, moved to folder and same thing, keeps reproducing everytime its opened.

I put all of @Andy Ful executables in Windows folder and I never have any problems. Plus, they're protected by default.

 

[Andy Ful]

Thanks Andy, I had CD on desktop, moved to folder and same thing, keeps reproducing everytime its opened.

In two days I will upload the new standalone version of ConfigureDefender (fixed notification area issue) together with NotificationAreaReset tool (to clear the notification area cache).
For now, the new executables wait for whitelisting by Microsoft and Avast.

 

[Digmor Crusher]

I put all of @Andy Ful executables in Windows folder and I never have any problems. Plus, they're protected by default.

Nice solution, I will give it a try to see what happens.

In two days I will upload the new standalone version of ConfigureDefender (fixed notification area issue) together with NotificationAreaReset tool (to clear the notification area cache).
For now, the new executables wait for whitelisting by Microsoft and Avast.

Thanks Andy, the reset tool worked fine, but as I mentioned earlier, notifications kept coming back.

 

[oldschool]

Nice solution, I will give it a try to see what happens.

Also, I pin the exe shortcut to the taskbar so it is easily accessible and my desktop stays clean. Just remember this is for any of Andy's standalone programs.

 

[Digmor Crusher]

So I pinned Configure Defender to taskbar, opened CD, checked taskbar notification area, same issue. So Oldschool, are you saying you don't have this issue because you put in a Windows folder? I will try and see what happens but it seems to me that this is not a solution that Andy would be happy with.

Threw it into a C:Windows folder, no change. Not a big issue to me, either Andy fixes it or not.

 

[Andy Ful]

When using the standalone version of ConfigureDefender - it works slightly different from the ConfigureDefender executable included in H_C.
Standalone CD = wrapper + CD 64-bit + CD 32-bit

If one uses CD 64-bit or CD 32-bit without a wrapper (like in H_C), then there is no issue, because it always runs from a single location (one entry in notification area cache).
The issue is related to the wrapper which runs CD (32-bi or 64-bit) in a random folder (for security reasons).
When the executable uses notification area in the system tray, then Windows adds new entries if they have different paths - that is a case of standalone CD (random paths are usually different).
I fixed the issue by removing the ability to add the icon to the notification area for CD 32-bit and CD-64-bit.

 

[silversurfer]

Windows 10 Defender's hidden features revealed by this free tool

Windows 10's built-in Microsoft Defender antivirus solution has many advanced hidden features that allow you to customize how the security software works. Unfortunately, most people do not know these settings exist or even how to access them.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

 

[Andy Ful]

Windows 10 Defender's hidden features revealed by this free tool

Windows 10's built-in Microsoft Defender antivirus solution has many advanced hidden features that allow you to customize how the security software works. Unfortunately, most people do not know these settings exist or even how to access them.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

I highly appreciate the fact that the creator of BleepingComputer.com (and also anti-malware expert) has written a nice review about ConfigureDefender.

 

[oldschool]

The issue is related to the wrapper which runs CD (32-bi or 64-bit) in a random folder (for security reasons).

I'm using version 3.0.0.0 without the notification issue.

I highly appreciate the fact that the creator of BleepingComputer.com (and also anti-malware expert) has written a nice review about ConfigureDefender.

Maybe they got the idea for the review because CD has been recommended to some users on their forum.

 

[Andy Ful]

I'm using version 3.0.0.0 without the notification issue.
...

The issue is normally invisible. But, it can be seen as follows:
right-click on the taskbar >> Taskbar Settings >> Select which icons appear on the taskbar
You will probably see several instances of ConfigureDefender and maybe some other entries of unused/uninstalled applications. One can get rid of unnecessary entries by resetting the cache.