How To Turn Off Windows Defender. In this article, you will read how to permanently disable Windows Defender and how to temporarily disable Windows Defender. Windows Defender is an antivirus and antimalware application in Windows that keeps your PC protected from malware and bugs that try to harm your computer.
Many users want to disable it for various reasons. Like, they want to use a powerful antivirus or want to disable it because any application is not connecting to the internet. Maybe the firewall is blocking access to any task.
How To Turn Off Windows Defender:
Windows will not let you uninstall the Windows Defender easily. As it is installed in the core of the OS. You can temporarily or permanently disable the Windows Defender by the following methods.
Method 1 – Use Group Policy Editor:
You can turn off Windows Defender through Group Policy Editor. Follow the steps:
1.Open Run using the command Win + R.
2.Type the command gpedit.msc.
3.This will open Local Group Policy Editor.
4.Double click on Computer Configuration.
5.Open Administrative templates.
6.Then, open Windows Components.
7.Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
8.Double click on “Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus” policy from the right pane.
8.Select the Enabled button.
9.Press Apply.
10.The Windows Defender will be disabled permanently.
11.Restart your PC.
12.If you want re-enable the Windows Defender, double click on “Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus” policy on the same path.
13.Set the button to ‘Not configured’ and restart the PC.
Method 2 – Use Windows Security Center:
Use Windows Security Centre to disable Windows Defender temporarily. Follow the steps:
1.Search for Windows Defender Security Center. in the Windows search bar.
2.Click Enter.
3.Click Virus and threat protection menu.
4.Click on Manage settings under the “Virus & threat protection settings”.
5.Set the toggle button “Real-time protection” to off.
6.It will disable the Windows Defender temporarily.
Method 3 – Use Registry Editor:
You can disable Windows Defender permanently through Registry Editor. To do so:
1.Open Run command by pressing Win + R.
2.Enter the command regedit.
3.Press Enter
4.Copy the following command into the registry address bar to the path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
5.Right click and create a new DWORD (32bit) on the right black area.
6.Name the key DisableAntiSpyware.
7.Double click to modify the new key.
8.Change the value from 0 to 1.
9.Restart the PC to disable Windows Defender.