Every Windows 10 user should know how to disable Windows Defender in Windows 10. Use this guide to learn how to turn off Microsoft’s antivirus completely.
Windows Defender is the security suite that Microsoft puts in every version of Windows. Download something via Microsoft Edge and it’s Windows Defender that scans it to verify it’s not a virus. Windows Defender is also an optional virus scanner. If you think you have a virus, you can have it scan your entire computer for security risks.
Why Turn Off Windows Defender
Despite its essential role in Windows security, there are good reasons to disable Windows Defender.
If you plan to install any other virus application, you should disable Windows Defender. If you don’t, wait for problems to appear. Windows 10 may fail to install updates. Windows Defender and your new virus program can also identify each other as malicious. You don’t want this.
Disabling Windows Defender also makes sense if you don’t plan to connect your Windows 10 computer to the internet. Windows 10 has a built-in kiosk mode for these situations. Be sure to turn Defender back on if you change your mind.
Here’s how to disable Windows Defender in Windows 10.
How to Disable Windows Defender
There are three methods you can use to disable Windows Defender on your Windows 10 PC. All three are available to you if you have the latest updates installed on your computer. If you’re missing an option, connect your computer to the internet and download any pending updates before using this guide. The latest update is Spring Creators Update.
Before continuing, make sure you’re comfortable with disabling Windows Defender.
How to Disable Windows Defender Using the Settings App
The easiest way to disable Windows Defender is to use the Settings app. This is the application that Microsoft is gradually replacing the Control Panel with.
Click the Start button in the corner of your screen. Pressing the Windows key on your keyboard also opens Start.
Click on the icon on the left side of the Start Menu. If it’s not there, find the Settings app in the list of installed apps in the Start Menu.
Inside the Settings app, click on it. It is the last menu option on the bottom line of settings.
Tap or click on it in the menu. It’s the second option from the top of the menu on the left. Microsoft recently renamed Windows Defender to Windows Security, so don’t worry about the new name.
Click the button at the top of your screen. Selecting this button will open another application.
Welcome to Windows Defender Security Center Control. Click on the option in the corner of the app.
Do not click the checkboxes or toggles you see here. These just disable Windows Defender’s notifications. Instead, click the link.
Click the , and keys to open Windows Defender.
How to Disable Windows Defender Using Group Policy
Group Policy also allows you to disable Windows Defender. Only Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education have this feature. If you haven’t used Group Policy before, definitely avoid this method.
Click the search box in the corner of your screen.
Type it in the search box. Click Run in the drop-down menu.
Enter Run and tap the key on your keyboard.
Click .
Click .
Click .
Scroll down the list until you see it and double-click on it.
Now double click.
Select and click the button on the left side of the window.
You have now used Group Policy to disable Windows Defender. A notification will appear in the system tray informing you that no virus protection is turned on. This button will disappear after restarting your computer.
How to Disable Windows Defender Using Registry
Every Windows 10 PC has a registry and you can use it to change settings and disable Windows Defender. If you use this method, be sure to be incredibly careful. To use Must Be Mobile How to Create a Full Backup of your Windows 10 PC guide to create a restore drive with all your files in case something goes wrong.
Click the search box in the corner of your screen.
Type in the box and Registry Editor in the results. Choose .
Click .
Click .
Click .
Click .
Click .
double click on it. You may need to create your own key by right-clicking on any empty space in the window. If you need to generate a key, select Choose next. Name the key DisableAntiSpyware and double-click on it.
Replace the 0 in the field with and click .
If you followed the steps correctly, after restarting your computer, Windows Defender will turn off completely.
How to Delete Windows Defender Definitions and Downloads with Storage Sense
Now it’s time to delete the files Windows Defender uses for its scans. These files do not take up much space, but you should get rid of them if you do not keep the utility open anyway.
Click in the search box and type. Click on the best results.
Click on the storage meter labeled at the top of the Settings app.
Wait for the tool to examine your drive and choose from the list of options running on the left side of your screen.
all boxes except Click the button.