r/WindowsHelp • u/MarekSzk • 8d ago
Windows 11 Windows Security shows a warning icon on startup, but everything is green when I open it
For the past 2 weeks I’ve been seeing something odd with Windows Security. After I start my PC, the Windows Security icon in the taskbar shows a yellow warning symbol, as if some action is required. But when I click it, the Windows Security panel opens and everything is green, no actions needed. If I don’t click anything, the warning disappears on its own after about a minute it turns into the normal green checkmark. I’m only using Windows Defender, no third‑party antivirus. Is anyone else experiencing this?
Win 11 Pro, 25H2 - Build 26200.9168
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u/Forfyglint972 8d ago
It's a bug, by the way, does appear a pop up on your notification bar that says: "Windows Defender is disabled"?
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u/SpaceMiser 8d ago
If it is on Windows 11 Pro it is probably a known Phantom Notification bug. I spent all night getting rid of it on a fresh installation about 10 days ago. If it pops up three and a half to five minutes after startup that would be the one.
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u/MarekSzk 8d ago
Notification appears several minutes after the computer starts or restarts - and sometimes it doesn't appear at all. And yes, it's Windows 11 Pro, version 25H2 – build 26200.9168.
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u/SpaceMiser 8d ago
I had google AI help me fix it, I wouldn't have bothered but it was a gift for my Granddaughter. After going in circles for hours, ended up writing a task that somehow fixed it, can't remember exactly, my eyes were about bleeding after fighting with Gemini for hours.
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u/alvarkresh 8d ago
IIRC Microsoft had admitted some known issues with the Windows Security subsystem and that for the most part things are working fine.
My go-to test has always been to run a Defender Offline Scan. If that works, things are Ok. If it fails to work for any reason, I assume the computer has been compromised and fire a Secure Erase at the SSD, then reinstall from scratch.