How to Disable Windows Defender

Windows Defender is a built-in antivirus tool designed to protect your computer from malware. However, there are situations when you might need to disable it, such as if you prefer using a third-party antivirus or need to temporarily pause its protection. In this guide, we'll show you how to completely disable Windows Defender.

Step 1: Disable via Security Settings

  1. Click Start and go to Settings (gear icon).
  2. Select Update & Security, then go to Windows Security.
  3. Open the Virus & Threat Protection tab.
  4. Click on Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings.
  5. Turn off Real-time protection and Cloud-delivered protection.

This will temporarily disable Windows Defender. However, it may turn back on after a restart.

Step 2: Disable via Registry Editor (Permanent Method)

If you want to completely disable Windows Defender, you can modify the Windows Registry. Be cautious, as incorrect changes can cause system issues.

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
  2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender.
  3. Right-click on the empty space, select New → DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  4. Name it DisableAntiSpyware and set its value to 1.
  5. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Step 3: Disable via Group Policy Editor

This method is only available on Windows Pro and Enterprise editions.

  1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Go to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
  3. Double-click on Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
  4. Select Enabled to disable Defender.
  5. Click Apply and OK, then restart your computer.

Step 4: Using Command Prompt or PowerShell

If you prefer using the command line, follow these instructions:

Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $true

Open PowerShell as an administrator and execute this command to disable real-time protection.