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Windows Firewall, Invalid Data problem

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Boggin:
Open a Command Prompt (Admin) and enter this cmd followed by another sfc /scannow to see if that resolves the problem.

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

After the sfc /scannow enter shutdown /r /t 00 and check after the reboot.

If that fails then I would suggest a repair install which won't affect your personal stuff or installed programs.

For this you will need Win 10 install media which you can create after reading https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

When you've done that, open Windows/File Explorer - This PC - insert the install media (either a DVD or USB) and double click on its drive.

This will start the process when using a DVD but will open to its files when using an USB where you would then double click on setup.exe Application.

emmrecs:
Thanks again for all the help!

I followed all the procedures in your latest post, including the Repair Install, but still the Windows Firewall does not start properly and the Event Viewer shows the same error, "The data is invalid".

This is really beginning to bug me!!  :angry:

Boggin:
I noticed in that log you had posted that the Windows Store couldn't be registered.

This may be the reason why you keep getting that error.

Follow the steps in this article and reboot afterwards to see if it is resolved, although I'm surprised the repair install didn't resolve.

To run the wsreset.exe cmd, press the Windows key and r to open the Run box and enter it into there.

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-store-app-missing-windows-10

This article may also help - https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-tips-fix-windows-store-app-issues-windows-10/

emmrecs:
Hi thanks again, and apologies for the delayed reply.

wsreset.exe produced an on-screen message that said You'll need a new app to open this ms-windows-store link with the only option being a greyed-out OK button!

I attempted to follow the advice in the linked articles, still no joy!  The Windows Store could not be re-registered because the Windows Defender Firewall "is not running"!!!

Just to further add to the confusion, yesterday I manually tried to start the Windows Defender Firewall service, the attempt failed (it kept trying to start) but within a matter of some two hours or less I discovered that my Windows/TEMP folder had gained several GB of Event Viewer logs and error messages, all leading back to the problem of the failing start of the firewall because "The data is invalid".  I couldn't manually stop the firewall from continuing to attempt to start (and so continue to add to those GB of files) so rebooted, which did end this particular problem!

As of the seeming failure of the repair install, could this have been caused by the fact that it was attempted whilst Windows is running in "Full" mode, i.e. everything loaded?  Would it be worth attempting it in Safe Mode with Networking?  Also, since it was done in the "Full" mode, what is the likelihood (pretty big I think) that my Bullguard Internet Security "got in the way" and so prevented Windows being fully reset?  If that is possibly the case, I am quite prepared to completely uninstall, temporarily, Bullguard and then attempt the repair again.

I may not be able to post back with any further information for some time since my wife and I are beginning a short holiday tomorrow but I will return to this thread as soon as I can.

TIA any offered help.

Jeff

Boggin:
I don't think a repair install can be done in Safe Mode with Networking but the way I described is the way it is done and from your post, it did complete.

An infection can stop the Firewall from starting and while you have an AV program, a scan with a dedicated scanner may find something.

Boot up into Safe Mode with Networking and run a scan with the ESET Online Free Scanner to see if it finds anything.

https://www.eset.com/uk/home/online-scanner/

If that comes back clean then download this MS Firewall Troubleshooter to see if it can do anything.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/17613/automatically-diagnose-and-fix-problems-with-windows-firewall

If it's still a no go then all I can suggest is a Reset where you can keep your personal stuff but will need to reinstall all of your programs, so if you have any paid for programs then ensure you have the product keys for those.

If you have to go for the Reset, it may be worth checking if the Firewall is working before you reinstall anything and check after reinstalling each program.

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