While Microsoft Defender is an amazing tool that protects your Windows device against malware and threats, there are certain situations where you need to turn off this tool. Whether you need to fix an issue, performance reasons, or you wish to install a different antivirus system, there are numerous situations when you might need to turn off Windows Defender.
However, if you are not familiar with the process of how do you remove Windows Defender, then here we will present the entire process to you in an orderly manner. You can easily use the instructions shared here to learn how to disable Windows Defender.
What are the different reasons to disable Windows Defender?
As we have already mentioned, the Microsoft Defender Antivirus is an excellent solution for people who want to enhance the security of their device, but there are also valid situations to turn off this Defender.
- Third-party antivirus installation – There are certain antivirus programs that do not work properly if you have Windows Defender turned on your device.
- System Performance – Microsoft Defender has been noticed to cause performance issues, especially on older devices.
- Custom Requirements – It is also possible that you are disabling it to complete a specific task on your computer, such as troubleshooting.
Well, whatever your reason might be, in the next part of the guide, we will tell you how to disable Windows Defender, so get ready to learn all the instructions carefully.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Disable Windows Defender
It is not very difficult for people to turn off Windows Defender, as they only need to stick to the instructions that we are mentioning here. Make sure that you have not missed any step, as this can affect the entire process.
Method 1: Temporarily Turn off Windows Defender
Windows Defender can either be turned off temporarily or permanently, depending on your choice. Use the directions mentioned here to turn it off for a small period of time.
- Use the keyboard shortcut ‘Windows + I’ to access the Settings application, and look for the Privacy & Settings section.
- Here, you will be able to find the ‘Virus & threat protection’ option under Windows Security.
- Look for the settings under this section and tap the option to manage them.
- From here, you can easily turn the toggle for ‘Real-time Protection’ off.
The Defender will be turned off while your computer is on; however, the next time the system restarts, the Defender will turn on.
Method 2: Disable Windows Defender Permanently
On the other hand, if you wish to disable the Defender permanently, then you need to access the Group Policy editor, which is only present on Windows Pro and Windows Enterprise.
- Press the keys ‘Windows + R’ and enter ‘gpedit.msc’ on the screen.
- Next, you need to follow these commands in the same order: Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
- Here, you will be able to find ‘Microsoft Defender Antivirus’ on the right side of the screen.
- Double-click the Defender and choose the ‘Enabled’ tab to Disable it.
- Lastly, you need to restart your device to apply all these changes.
You can also disable Windows Defender using the Registry Editor, but you need to use the website Datarecovee to learn the instructions regarding the same.