Cannot access settings or scan in Virus and Threat Protection - not showing on the page - currently have a malware issue

On a home PC, those controls are commonly unavailable for one of these reasons:

1. Another antivirus is installed. When a non-Microsoft antivirus or antimalware product is installed and kept up to date, Microsoft Defender Antivirus can go into disabled or passive mode, and some Windows Security options won’t be usable.
2. The device is being managed by an organization. If the PC is connected to a work or school account, some Windows Security settings can be restricted by policy.
3. Windows Security is showing restricted or stale information. If the Windows Security app has been disabled or policy-controlled, it can show inaccurate status and prevent normal access.

For the malware issue, use this order:

1. Check whether another antivirus is installed
   • Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
   • Under Who’s protecting me?, select Manage providers.
   • If a non-Microsoft antivirus is listed, Microsoft Defender Antivirus may be disabled automatically.
2. Verify real-time protection
   • Open Windows Security.
   • Select Virus & threat protection.
   • Select Virus & threat protection settings.
   • Turn Real-time protection to On.
   • If it turns off again, that can indicate another antivirus is controlling protection. Real-time protection also turns back on automatically after a short delay when manually turned off.
3. Run a quick scan if the button is available
   • In Windows Security, select Virus & threat protection > Quick scan.
   • If the quick scan finds nothing and the pop-ups continue, check protection more thoroughly.
4. Turn on cloud protection features
   • Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
   • Under Virus & threat protection settings, select Manage settings.
   • Make sure Cloud-delivered protection and Automatic sample submission are On.
5. Update Defender before scanning
   • Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
   • Under Virus & threat protection updates, select Check for updates.
   • Under Threat definitions, select Check for updates.
6. Check for work or school management
   • If Windows Security says settings are limited by an administrator, the device may be managed.
   • On managed devices, notification and protection settings can be locked by the administrator.
7. If scan controls still do not appear
   • Right-click a suspicious file or folder and select Show more options > Scan with Microsoft Defender.
   • This can still scan specific items when available.
8. If malware pop-ups continue and Defender is not detecting them
   • Submit suspicious files to Microsoft for analysis: submit the files to Microsoft for analysis.
   • Microsoft also recommends running the Microsoft Safety Scanner if infection is suspected.

Important: avoid disabling Windows Security or changing registry permissions as a fix. Disabling the app can lower protection and can cause stale or inaccurate security status.

• Scan an item with Windows Security
• Stay Protected With the Windows Security App
• Troubleshoot problems with detecting and removing malware
• Microsoft Defender Antivirus in the Windows Security app
• Microsoft Defender Antivirus in the Windows Security app
• Windows Security App Settings
• Microsoft resources and guidance for removal of malware and viruses