If you right-click a red flag in a “Windows Security Alerts" icon on the right side of the task bar, and then click Open Security Center, a message that reads "The Security Center service is turned off" is displayed in the Windows Security Center window.
If you click Turn on now under "Security Center," you receive the following error message:
The Security Center service can't be started.
If you continue to try, you still can't turn on the Security Center.
To resolve this problem, make sure that the Security Center service is configured correctly, and then start the Security Center service. To do this, follow these steps:
Follow the appropriate steps for your version of Windows:
Windows 8
Tap and swipe from the right edge of the screen, or press Windows logo key+C.
Tap or click the Search charm, and then click Settings.
In the Search box, type services.
Tap or click View local services.
Windows 7 and Windows Vista
Click Start.
In the Start search box, type services.
In the Programs list, click Services.
In the details pane, right-click (or tap and hold) Security Center, and then tap or click Properties.
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In the Startup type list, tap or click Automatic (Delayed Start).
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In the Service Status area, tap or click Start.
Notes
If the service starts successfully, tap or click Apply, tap or click OK, and then close the Services window.
If you receive an error message that resembles the following message when you click Start, go to step 6 to reconfigure the log on user for the service:
"Windows could not start the Security Center service on Local Computer. Error 1079: The account specified for this service differs from the account specified for other services running in the same process."
In the Security Center Properties dialog box, tap or click the Log On tab, and then tap or click Browse.
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In the Enter the object name to select box, type your computer name.
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Tap or click Check Names, and then tap or click OK when the name is authenticated.
In the Password box, type the administrator password.
In the Confirm password box, retype the administrator password.
Tap or click Apply, and then tap or click OK.
Close the Services window.
If you find that Security Center is still not started and running as expected after you reconfigure and start Security Center and then restart your computer, you may be experiencing one or both of the following problems:
Your computer is infected by malware.
Your registry key is corrupted.
To fix your registry key for Windows 8 or Windows 7, go to the "Fix it for me" section. If you prefer to fix your registry key yourself, or if you are running Windows XP or Windows Vista, go to the "Let me fix it myself" section.
Fix it for me
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To fix your registry key, click the Fix it button or link. Then click Run in the File Download dialog box, and follow the steps in the Fix it wizard.
This wizard may be in English only. However, the automatic fix also works for other language versions of Windows.
If you are not on the computer that has the problem, save the Fix it solution to a flash drive or a CD and then run it on the computer that has the problem.
We would appreciate your feedback. To provide feedback or to report any issues with this solution, please leave a comment on the "Fix it for me
Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the appropriate link for your version of Windows:
Right-click or tap and hold the selected text, and then tap or click Copy.
In Notepad, tap or click Edit on the toolbar, then tap or click Paste.
Tap or click File on the toolbar, then tap or click Save As.
In the Save as Type list, click All Files.
In the File Name box, type Hkey.reg, and then tap or click Save.
In Registry Editor, tap or click File, and then tap or click Import.
Locate the Hkey.reg file, and then tap or double-click the file.
Tap or click OK.
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Use antivirus software to check your computer for viruses. Start the antivirus software, verify that the software is updated, and then run a complete scan. If any viruses or malware are found, clean or resolve the issues that the antivirus software identifies.
Some antivirus software is sold through renewable annual subscriptions. However, some programs are available for free. Microsoft offers Microsoft Security Essentials as free antivirus software that you can download from the Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
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