Security Center not Accurately Reporting Anti-Virus / Firewall Status for Windows XP

Windows XP Security Center may be reporting inaccurately when you uninstall an anti-virus and / or firewall application. Windows XP Security Center may still identify the security applications are still monitoring your system when the applications have been uninstalled. Windows XP Security Center may be reporting the uninstalled application is still monitoring your system even if you have installed a different ant-virus and / or firewall applications. Administrative privileges are required to perform the solution.

Manual Steps

1. Click the START button to open the Start Menu.
2. Click Run… to open the Run dialog box.
3. Type:

   services.msc
   

4. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
5. Locate and double-click Windows Management Instrumentation.
6. Click Stop to stop the service.
7. Navigate to:

   C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem\Repository
   

8. Delete all contents in the Repository folder.
9. Reboot the computer.

Manual Steps Using Command Line

1. Click the START button to open the Start Menu.
2. Click Run… to open the Run dialog box.
3. Type:

   cmd.exe

4. Press ENTER on your keyboard.

   NOTE

   A Command Prompt Window should now be open.

5. Type the following in the Command Window:

   net stop "Windows Management Instrumentation"
   

6. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
7. Type the following in the Command Window:

   rd %systemroot%\system32\wbem\Repository\ /S /Q

8. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
9. Type the following in the Command Window:

   mkdir %systemroot%\system32\wbem\Repository\

10. Press ENTER on your keyboard.
11. Reboot the computer.

Platforms Tested

• Microsoft Windows XP Editions

Version 1.1
Edited: May 11, 2012