This wikiHow teaches you how to disable Windows Defender either temporarily or "permanently" in Windows 10. Windows Defender is an antivirus and computer security program available in Windows 10. Basically, Windows Defender can be disabled whenever you want via the Settings menu. However, this program will be active again automatically when the computer is restarted (restarted). You can prevent this from happening by changing the Windows Defender settings in the Registry Editor. Before following the steps listed in this article, note that your computer will be vulnerable to viruses and other threats when Windows Defender is turned off. Also, if you make a mistake when changing Windows Defender settings in the Registry Editor, your computer system could be damaged.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Disabling Windows Defender
Step 1. Open the Start menu
Click the Windows logo at the bottom left of the screen. After that, the Start menu will appear on the screen.
Step 2. Open Settings
Click the gear-shaped Settings icon at the bottom left of the Start menu. After that, the Settings window will open.
Step 3. Click
Updates & Security.
This option is at the bottom of the Settings menu.
Step 4. Click Windows Security
This tab is in the upper-left side of the window.
Step 5. Click Virus & threat protection
This option can be found under the " Protection areas " section at the top of the Windows Security menu. After that, the Windows Defender window will appear on the screen.
Step 6. Click Virus & threat protection settings
You'll find this option in the middle of the window.
Step 7. Disable the Real-time protection option in Windows Defender
You can disable this option by pressing the "On" button
which is blue and is under the "Real-time protection" section. After that, click the button Yes when requested. This will turn off the real-time scanning feature available in Windows Defender.
- You can also disable the cloud-based protection available in Windows Defender. To do so, click the blue "On" button under the "Cloud-delivered protection" section. After that, click the button Yes when requested.
- Windows Defender will be activated automatically when you restart your computer.
Method 2 of 2: Turning Off Windows Defender
Step 1. Open the Start menu
Click the Windows logo at the bottom left of the screen. After that, the Start menu will open.
Step 2. Open the Registry Editor program
The Registry Editor allows you to change the settings for key Windows features. To open this program, follow these steps:
- Type regedit.
- Click icon regedit the blue one at the top of the Start menu.
- Click button Yes when requested.
Step 3. Open the Windows Defender folder in the Registry Editor
You can find the Windows Defender folder by opening the following folders on the left side of the Registry Editor window:
- Open the " HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE " folder by double-clicking it (skip this step if the folder is already opened).
- Open the "SOFTWARE" folder.
- Move the window down and open the " Policies " folder.
- Open the "Microsoft" folder.
- Click the "Windows Defender" folder once.
Step 4. Right-click the "Windows Defender" folder
After that, a drop-down menu will appear on the screen.
- If the mouse doesn't have a right-click button, press the right side of the mouse or press the mouse using both of your fingers.
- If you're using a trackpad, press down on the trackpad with both fingers or press the bottom right of the trackpad to right-click.
Step 5. Select New
It's at the top of the drop-down menu. After that, an additional drop-down menu will appear on the screen.
Step 6. Click DWORD (32-bit) Value
This option is in the drop-down menu. Clicking on that option will place the blue and white file in the right side of the "Windows Defender" window.
Step 7. Type "DisableAntiSpyware" as the file name
When the DWORD file appears, type DisableAntiSpyware and press Enter key.
Step 8. Open the "DisableAntiSpyware" file
Double-click the file to open it. After that, a pop-up window will appear on the screen.
Step 9. Replace the "Value data" number with 1
Entering that number will activate the DWORD value.
Step 10. Click OK
It's at the bottom of the window.
Step 11. Restart the computer
Click Start
choose Power
and click Restart on the pop-up menu. When the computer has restarted, Windows Defender will shut down.
Step 12. Restart Windows Defender when needed
If you want to restart Windows Defender, follow these steps:
- Reopen the Windows Defender folder in the Registry Editor.
- Click the "Windows Defender" folder once.
- Open the " DisableAntiSpyware " file by double clicking on it.
- Change "Value data" from 1 to 0.
- Click button OK and restart the computer.
- Delete the " DisableAntiSpyware " file if you don't want it anymore.
