Bitdefender/Windows issues

Techbitje

Hi,

Since some months I'm using Bitdefender Total Security but I ran into several issues. Since installation of TS I have the following issues:

• Firefox refuses to update via the built-in updater
  • Tried a manual update/installation but the problem is still there.
• Firefox was set to some organization managed mode
  • Fixed that by removing some Registry setting
• Windows Firewall service is gone
• Malwarebytes Firewall Control is unable to run because of that
• Bitdefender is stuck on v26 won't update to v27 even after re-install
• Cheathappens Aurora trainer manager can't connect to internet anymore but I'm not 100% convinced it's due to Bitdefender

Is it 'normal' that Bitdefender gives these issues? Most important for me right now is how to fix my Windows Firewall. Any tips?

I would really like to see better compatibility with other software and also the possibility during installation to add/remove wanted/unwanted modules. That way it can be more tailored to the user.

Flexx

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/96670/bitdefender-windows-issues

It's not normal for Bitdefender to cause these problems, but it's possible that there's a conflict with another piece of software you're using.

Here are some tips to try to fix your Windows Firewall:

1) Open the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security control panel.

2) In the left pane, click on Windows Firewall with Advanced Security.

3) In the right pane, click on Restore Defaults.

4) Click on Yes to confirm.

If that doesn't work, you can try disabling Bitdefender temporarily to see if that fixes the problem. To do this, open the Bitdefender program and go to Settings > General. Under "Shields," uncheck the boxes next to "Active Protection" and "Web Protection."

Once you've disabled Bitdefender, try updating Firefox and see if that works. If it does, you can then re-enable Bitdefender and see if it still causes problems.

If issue persists,

Generate bitdefender BDsysLog: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/1922/

Generate bitdefender support tool logs: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/1733/

Generate bitdefender connectivity logs: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/9689/

Share the logs & your query with bitdefender support team by dropping them an email at bitsy@bitdefender.com

If the generated logs are larger in size, you can upload the logs to google drive or we.tl (7days link validity for free users) or ask the support team to provide you with the online link & password of bitdefender cloud where you can upload the logs and share the upload link with the support team.

The support team will reply back to your query within next 24-48 hours excluding weekends.

Regards

 

Scott

Hi @Techbitje

Have you had all of this going on for the last two months, or only since installing WFC?

With Total Security and the ability to "turn off" the Firewall, unless you are really adept in using that firewall control, can cause more issues than it's worth. I've used it before with an AV that did not include a Firewall, so I believe there is an option to uninstall it to re-enable (reset?) Windows firewall to its original settings. I would then uninstall WFC.

As far as getting Bitdefender to update to the latest build, try these steps:

1) Uninstall the bitdefender product with add/ remove programs option in windows

2) To remove the remaining files download and run Bitdefender product uninstaller: https://www.bitdefender.com/files/KnowledgeBase/file/Bitdefender_2022_Uninstall_Tool.exe

3) Restart PC in safe mode: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/start-your-pc-in-safe-mode-in-windows-92c27cff-db89-8644-1ce4-b3e5e56fe234

4) As soon as desktop opens, assuming your windows drive is C, open below things in run (windows icon + R) command one by one :

C:\Program Files (delete any folder with name bitdefender)

C:\Program Files (x86) (delete any folder with name bitdefender)

C:\ProgramData (delete any folder with name bitdefender)

C:\Users\{your pc name}\AppData\Local (delete any folder with name bitdefender)

5) Open run command again and run below command one by one :

temp ,delete all the files in the folder

%temp% ,delete all the files in folder

prefetch ,delete all the files in folder

6) Open registry editor through run command (windows icon + R) and then type regedit. Once registry editor opens, click on edit -> find, make sure to tick mark match whole strings only. Type bitdefender in search box and click find next. If any file or folder under name of bitdefender is found, delete it. Continue searching the registry and deleting until the search will report no registry keys found.

7) Restart your PC in general mode by unticking the option that you selected to run the system in safe mode and then click apply.

8) Remove that device from your bitdefender central account: https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/2795/

9) Download and install Total Security from your Central account.

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/2844/

You may also need to do a clean reinstall of FF.

Kind regards,

Scott

@Flexx , you're so fast and I'm so slow, I had to delete some of my duplicate information from what you posted above :)

Techbitje

Hi @Flexx and @Scott,

Thanks for your replies.

My system is about 8 years old and has seen several security solutions during it's lifetime. I ran Windows Firewall and Malwarebytes WFC for years together with Emsisoft, ESET and others. Never ran into big issues like this wrecking my OS (Windows 10 Pro 22H2) Bitdefender is the first product with built-in firewall I've used.

During the install of Bitdefender Total Security the Windows firewall was disabled. No mention about WFC so I left it installed.

I've tried disabling Bitdefender for troubleshoot purposes but that didn't bring any difference. Meanwhile I've completely removed Bitdefender (TS, VPN and Agent) from my system. I also ran the separate Bitdefender uninstaller/cleanup tool to be sure.

I found this to reset the firewall service but that didn't do much either: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-reinstall-windows-firewall-service/d5bf7d36-cca6-4767-9e67-0e2a1bb28042

Current situation:

The Base Filtering Engine is still present and running.

Below a screenshot when opening Windows firewall advanced

I can't start the service anymore and because of that a reset of the firewall won't work.

The Microsoft Windows Firewall Troubleshooter is running but it does not seem to get anywhere for now.

Thanks in advance for any further help/suggestions 😉

EDIT: for Firefox I'll try a new install.

EDIT2:

Well, that didn't help.

Scott

The next step is to create the log files to send in to support, as Flexx mentioned above. At times, it gets deeper than we can go on the forum. Unless Flexx has another idea.

Bitdefender in general does not like anything running alongside it, or if any remnants of a previous security that is still on the device. It can be finicky that way.

Edit: Also, just to confirm the minimum system requirements to run Bitdefender, as you mentioned it's an older PC. Just covering that base :)

https://www.bitdefender.com/consumer/support/answer/28539/

Kind Regards,

Scott

Techbitje

Thanks again @Scott and @Flexx for the support,

It's been a while, so I thought to give a update. Bitdefender support unfortunately wasn't able to help with the issue, something I did anticipate.

Because of the Windows installation issues and the fact that Windows 10 EOL is due in less then 2 years I decided to get a new pc and install Windows 11. Just finished the installation of Bitdefender and everything seems ok. Finally got v27 as well. 😀