Windows Defender is an inbuilt antivirus program and malware protection in Windows 10. Sometimes users think this antivirus is not sufficient to protect their system and they download antivirus software. Windows Defender Error Code 0x80073afc occurs when you try to run another antivirus in spite of having inbuilt antivirus in your system.

Therefore, through this article, here you will see some effective solutions which can solve your problems easily. Besides, we will be discussing some of the most apparent causes for this issue as well. Hence, we recommend you to have a look right below to get them all.

Reasons For Windows Defender Error Code 0x80073afc Windows 10

So, before you proceed with the troubleshooting steps of error code 0x80073afc with your Windows Defender, we want you to be conscious of the various factors that could lead you to this particular issue with Defender application in your Windows device. Also, there are numerous approaches on that you can experience this kind of issue. Moreover, we will be highlighting some of the most obvious ones so that you can fix the issue in no time. Thus, we recommend you to have a look right below to get them all.

1. The very first reason for the error code  0x80073afc with Defender in your Windows Operating System can be the other antivirus application installed in your device.
2. Also, you might receive the same error notification appearing on your screen because of the corrupted registry of Windows.
3. Besides, you can experience this issue when you use an outdated version of your Windows Operating System.
4. Also, you can get the same problem in your Windows device because of the malicious malware present in your device.
5. Apart from that, the outdated version of Windows Defender can also wind up showing this error notification in your device.
6. Another probable reason for this error can be the incorrect Group Policy setting in your device.
7. The denied system permission can also lead to this issue in your Windows device.
8. Also, the third-party software installed in your device can influence such an issue in your device.
9. Last but not the least, you can receive the same error notification appearing on your screen because of the hardware crash.

Solutions To Windows Defender Error Code 0x80073afc Windows 10

So, now that you are well aware of the various factors that can lead to this issue, you can move to the solutions. Though you can find a lot of fixes for this error code, not all of them results to be equally helpful. Thus, in this article, we have come along with some of the most accurate solutions that will help you to get rid of the issue in no time. Windows Defender error code is not easy to fix without any proper guidance. If you want to fix Windows Defender Error Code 0x80073afc Windows 10 on your own make sure you apply the given methods. Hence, we recommend you to have a look right below to get them all.

Solution 1: Uninstall Your Antivirus Software

Windows Defender can not work with another antivirus tool as it has been designed to work as default antivirus. If you are facing this error make sure you have uninstalled the previous one. Unless  you remove the another antivirus, you will face the same error several time. When you try to download new antivirus in your system, Windows Defender automatically runs and create the error. So, better you uninstall the alternative antivirus software. For that, you can follow the complete instructions given below.

1. To start off with the process, you will require to go to the Start menu section.
2. Then, you need to click on the Settings option.
3. Next, you can move to the System section.
4. Here, you need to locate the Apps and features option. You can find it on the left pane.
5. Now, you can see a complete list of all the applications installed in your device.
6. Now, you need to click on your preferred app that you want to uninstall.
7. Then, you have to click on the Uninstall button.
8. Next, you will get a confirmation notification. Confirm it and with this you can remove the software from your device.

Solution 2: Deleting Malicious Registry Entry

There may be a chance that your system is affected by Malware or viruses. In that case, Windows Defender Error Code 0x80073afc can also occur. To fix this error you need to change your computer’s registry. But make sure that you will take a backup because if you change your computer’s registry it can delete all the important documents. So, before changing the registry take a backup first. Follow the steps to change Register Entry-

1. To start off with the process, you need to press the Windows key and R key together. This will bring a Run box.
2. Now, in the Run box, you need to type in the following command regedit and then you can proceed with the Enter button.
3. Next, you need to go to the following HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options location.
4. Now, you have to find MSASCui.exe or msconfig.exe. Now right click on it and press delete.
5. Finally, you can check if this method helps to fix the issue in your device.

Solution 3: Check For Faulty Updates

Sometimes Windows update creates this error. You try to update Windows to get rid of this problem and end up getting issue with some application. Similarly, you can experience error with windows defender as well. Do, to avoid this, we recommend you to check for the faulty updates in your Windows device. And for that, you can follow the complete instructions given below.

1. To begin with the process, you need to open the Settings.
2. Then, you can move to the Updates and security section.
3. Now, under the Windows Update section, you have to locate the Advanced Options.
4. Here, you need to check your update history record.
5. Following that, you have to click on the uninstall updates option.
6. Now, in the next step, you need to have to identify the problematic updates and then you can remove it.
7. After that, you can open the Windows defender and check if you are still getting the same issue or not.    

Solution 4: Use System Restore

If you are still unable to get rid of this error notification appearing on the screen, you can follow the next solution. System restore is one of the most effective methods which can help you to fix the Windows Defender Error Code 0x80073afc. You can easily restore your system and can resolve the error. Therefore, we recommend you to restore your system to avoid this problem. For that, we have managed to put together the complete instructions right below.

1. To begin with the system restore process, you need to press the Windows key and the S key simultaneously with restore.
2. Then, you have to click on Create a restore point option.
3. Now, you will get a System Properties window appearing on the screen.
4. Now, you have to click on the System Restore button.
5. After that, you can proceed with the Next button.
6. Now, you have to choose where you want to revert to. Then, you can proceed with the Next button.
7. Finally, you can check if this method helps to get rid of the error with Windows Defender.

Solution 5:  Run DISM

If the previous methods do not help in resolving the issue, this is another method that you can try to fix the error. The DISM tool is one of the most most significant method that you should implement to get rid of this issue. Hence, you can have a look at the instructions below.

1. To begin with the process, you will require to open the Command Prompt.
2. For that, you can type in the following command DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth. Next, you have to click on the Enter button.
3. Here, you will have to wait for a moment until the process completes.
4. Next, you will require to replace the following command ”C:\RepairSource\Windows”.
5. Then, you can proceed with the steps displaying on screen.

Solution 6: Change System Permission

Apart from that, you can receive the same error notification due to the incorrect settings of system permissions. When you decide to set the Windows Defender to be blocked, you get this error. Hence, it might be the reason that you are still unable to fix this error. Therefore, we recommend you to change the system permission to fix the error. You can follow the instructions given below.

1. To begin with the process, you need to go to the following location C:\ProgramData.
2. Then, you can move to the Microsoft directory.
3. Here, you need to click on the Properties option.
4. After that, you can go to the security section.
5. Now, you have to locate the advanced section.
6. Here, you need to check if you have blocked the Windows Defender. If you have done so, you can uncheck it and then you can see if the error still persists.

Therefore, these are some of the most accurate fixes for the error code 0x80073afc with Windows Defender. Hence, we recommend you to implement them all to get rid of the issue with ease.