5 Ways to Completely Disable Windows Defender

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Method 1: Using Command Prompt

Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard, typeCommand Prompt, and clickRun as administrator.

Step 2: Type or copy the below command and pressEnter.

Method 2: Using the Settings App

Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard, typeSettings, and clickOpen.

Step 2: Go toPrivacy & securitysettings.

Step 3: In Privacy & security settings, under Security, click onWindows Security.

Step 4: Go to theVirus & threat protectionoption.

Step 5: Under the ‘Virus & threat protection settings’ section, click onManage settings.

Step 6: Now, disable theReal-time protectiontoggle and other toggles on this page.

Note: If prompted, click Yes.

If you want Windows Defender to stay disabled, you must keep toggling off the settings every time Windows resets it.However,if you want to disable Windows Defender permanently, jump to the next method.

Method 3: Using Registry Editor

Before you proceed with the steps, you must disable Windows Defender Tamper Protection.

Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard, typeSettings, and clickOpen.

Step 2: Go toPrivacy & securitysettings.

Step 3: In Privacy & security settings, under Security, click onWindows Security.

Step 4: Under Protection areas, selectVirus & threat protection.

Step 5: SelectManage settings.

Step 6: Toggle offTamper Protection.

Now, let’s go to Registry settings. Because we will be using Registry Editor, we strongly advise you to back up the Windows Registry and follow the steps below.

Step 7: Press theWindows keyon your keyboard, typeRegistry Editor, and clickRun as administrator.

In the prompt, selectYes.

Step 8: In the top address bar, enter the mentioned address and pressEnter.

Step 9: Under the Windows Defender folder, right-click, selectNew, and chooseDWORD (32-bit) Value.

Step 10: TypeDisableAntiSpywarein the name field.

Step 11: Double-click the new value, type1in the Value Data field, and pressOK.

Finally, reboot the system to implement the changes. When the system boots back and you try to load Windows Defender, you will see an error message saying, ‘This application is turned off by group policy.’

Method 4: Using Group Policy Editor

The Group Policy Editor is exclusive to Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise versions. If you are using Windows 11 Home Edition, you can skip this method.

Step 1: Press the Windows keys on your keyboard, typegpedit, and clickOpen.

Step 2: In the left pane, underLocal Computer Policy, selectComputer Configuration.

Step 3:In the right pane, double-click onAdministrative Templates.

Step 4: SelectWindows Components.

Step 5: Under Windows Components, selectMicrosoft Defender Antivirus.

Step 6: Under the Microsoft Defender Antivirus, locate and double-click on theTurn off Windows Defender Antivirusoption on the right.

Step 7: In the new window, selectEnabled. Finally, click onApply>OK.

There you go. Now, all you need to do is restart Windows. And once it boots back up, Windows Defender would have been disabled. Whenever you try to open it, an error message will pop up.

If you want to roll back any time in the future, go under theTurn off Windows Defenderpolicy > selectDisabled> clickApply>OK.

Method 5: Using a Third-Party Antivirus

There are many antivirus programs for Windows. If you choose to use any, Windows Defender automatically gets disabled. This is, by far, the easiest way to disable Windows Defender.

Here’s how to check if the third-party antivirus is correctly installed. Follow the instructions below.

Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard, typeSettings, and clickOpen.

Step 2: Go toPrivacy & securitysettings.

Step 3: In Privacy & security settings, under Security, click onWindows Security.

Step 4: Under Protection areas, selectVirus & threat protection.

Step 5: SelectManage providersin the far right.

Under security providers, you will see that third-party antivirus is turned on. In contrast, Microsoft Defender is turned off.

You may see that theWindows Firewallis still active. It happens when the antivirus doesn’t have a firewall. If it does, Microsoft Defender’s firewall gets turned off automatically.

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Last updated on 31 May, 2024

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