How To Turn Off Microsoft Defender in Windows

Microsoft Defender (formerly Windows Defender) is a built-in antivirus program in Windows 10 that provides real-time protection against malware and other threats. While it offers robust security, there are times when you might need to disable it temporarily or permanently. This guide will show you how to turn off Microsoft Defender in Windows 10 using different methods.

Turn Off Microsoft Defender in Windows

1. Disable Defender Temporarily:
   • Open Windows Security and go to Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection settings. Turn off real-time protection.
   • Note: Defender will re-enable automatically the next time you restart your computer.
2. Disable Defender Permanently:
   • Install an alternative antivirus program to automatically disable Microsoft Defender.
   • Use the Group Policy Editor to turn off Defender permanently.

Method 1: Disabling Defender Temporarily

1. Open Windows Security:
   • Press the Windows key and type “Windows Security.” A list of matching search results will appear.
   • This method temporarily turns off Defender’s real-time protection, which can be useful if you need to install trusted software that Defender incorrectly flags as harmful.
   • Defender will turn back on automatically after you restart your PC.
2. Access Security Settings:
   • Click Windows Security in the search results to open your security settings.
   • If you don’t see this option, you might not be signed in as an administrator. You need admin privileges to disable Defender.
3. Navigate to Virus & Threat Protection:
   • Click Virus & threat protection, located below the “Protection areas” heading near the top of the page.
   • Click Virus & threat protection settings in the middle of the page.
4. Turn Off Real-Time Scanning:
   • Click the blue “On” switch below the “Real-time protection” heading and click Yes when prompted. This will turn off the real-time scanning feature of Microsoft Defender.
   • You can also disable cloud-based protection by clicking the blue “On” switch below “Cloud-delivered protection” and clicking Yes when prompted.
   • Note: Defender will automatically turn itself back on the next time you restart your computer.

Method 2: Disabling Defender Permanently with Antivirus Software

1. Install an Alternative Antivirus Product:
   • To permanently disable Microsoft Defender, install a third-party antivirus software like Bitdefender, McAfee, or Malwarebytes Premium.
   • When setting up your new antivirus software, it will automatically disable Windows’ built-in antivirus protection.

Method 3: Disabling Defender Permanently Using Group Policy Editor

1. Turn Off Tamper Protection:
   • If you’re using Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, you can use the built-in Group Policy Editor to turn off Microsoft Defender permanently. Note that your computer will be vulnerable to malware after turning off Defender.
   • Open the Windows Security app, click Virus & threat protection, click Manage settings, and switch Tamper Protection to “Off.”
2. Open Group Policy Editor:
   • Press ⊞ Win+R to open the Run menu.
   • Type gpedit.msc in the Run window and press ↵ Enter. This will open the Group Policy Editor menu.
3. Navigate to Microsoft Defender Policy:
   • In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to:
     • Computer Configuration
     • Administrative Templates
     • Windows Components
     • Microsoft Defender Antivirus
4. Disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus:
   • Double-click “Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus.” This opens an options menu for the policy.
   • Click Enabled and then click OK. This will confirm the choice to turn off Microsoft Defender and close the window.
   • Restart your computer to fully turn off Microsoft Defender.
   • To re-enable Defender in the future, return to the Group Policy Editor and change “Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus” to Not Configured.

Q&A for How to Turn Off Microsoft Defender in Windows

I did not order Microsoft Defender, how do I delete it?

• Microsoft Defender comes pre-installed with Windows 10 and cannot be deleted. It’s an integral part of the operating system.

Is there a way to turn it off without admin privileges?

• No, you need to be an administrator to disable Windows Defender. This security measure prevents unauthorized changes that could leave your system vulnerable to threats.

It keeps getting switched back to on. Why?

• Microsoft Defender automatically turns itself back on whenever Windows restarts to ensure continuous protection.

Microsoft Defender is supposed to turn off its periodic scans when another Anti-Virus program is installed, but it does not do so. What can I do?

• It’s possible that your antivirus program is not properly registering itself in the Windows Security Center. Contact the antivirus company’s support for assistance.

My Windows Defender isn’t opening, what do I do?

• Go to the Windows button at the bottom left corner of the screen, search for Windows Defender, and click to open it. If it doesn’t work, try the following:
  • Open Task Manager, go to the Details tab, find “Windows Defender,” click on it, and select End Task. If there are multiple instances, end all of them. Restart your computer and try opening Windows Defender again.

Why can’t I turn off Microsoft Defender?

• Your organization may have set a policy that prevents disabling Windows Defender. If not, you can use the Group Policy Editor or install an antivirus program to disable it.