Windows 10 comes with the Windows Defender Antivirus antimalware feature to protect your computer and data from unwanted viruses, spyware, ransomware, and many other types of malware and hackers.
Although the built-in antimalware solution is enough for most users, there are some special situations where you may not want to use the security feature. For instance, when setting up a device that won't connect to the network; if you must perform a task, which may be getting blocked by the feature; or when you have to comply with your organization security policies.
The only problem is that you won't find an option to uninstall or disable Windows Defender Antivirus permanently, as a result of the feature being deeply integrated into Windows 10. However, you can disable the antivirus with a few workarounds using Group Policy and Registry, or temporarily using the Windows Security experience.
Follow these steps to temporarily turn off real-time antivirus protection in Windows Security. However, keep in mind that if you do, your device may be vulnerable to threats. Select Start Settings Update & Security Windows Security Virus & threat protection Manage settings (or Virus & threat protection settings in previous versions of Windows 10).
May 13, 2018 Can I disable Windows 10 Defender? Sign in to follow this. Malwarebytes and Windows Defender run quite happily together, MB is designed that way. (You don't turn off your burgalar alarm just because you've bought a guard dog as well, you use both so that you are safer).
Although Windows 10 doesn't include an option to uninstall Windows Defender Antivirus, you can still permanently disable the feature, and here in this guide, we show you how to do it.
Open Windows Defender Click Windows Logo on the left side Type 'Windows Defender' into the search field Click Windows Defender. Click Settings; Click Administrator; Turn Off or On this App Solution 2. Open Control Panel; Navigate to - System and Security- Security and Maintenance; Turn on or off virus protection.
How to fix anti-malware service executable windows 10: This is a common problem for most users of Windows 10. Lagging or slowing down of your computer is one of the most common symptoms of high CPU usage.
Follow these steps to temporarily turn off real-time antivirus protection in Windows Security. However, keep in mind that if you do, your device may be vulnerable to threats. Select Start Settings Update & Security Windows Security Virus & threat protection Manage settings (or Virus & threat protection settings in previous versions of Windows 10).
Important: Windows 10 now automatically deletes the DisableAntiSpyware key from the Registry, which causes Windows Defender Antivirus to activate again automatically after a restart even after changing the Group Policy or Registry settings, as such the instructions below may or may not working in the latest version of the OS.
In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to disable Windows Defender Antivirus permanently (or temporarily) on your device.
How to disable Windows Defender Antivirus using Windows Security
Before modifying your system configuration, if you're looking to perform a specific task, then you don't need to disable Windows Defender Antivirus permanently.
To disable the security feature temporarily on your device, use these steps:
Open Start.
Search for Windows Security and click the top result to open the experience.
Click on Virus & threat protection.
Under the 'Virus & threat protection settings' section, click the Manage settings option.
Turn off the 'Real-time protection' toggle switch.
Once you complete these steps, the antivirus will disable the real-time protection allowing you to install apps, or perform a specific task, that you couldn't before because the security feature was blocking the action.
If you want to enable the real-time protection again, restart your computer, or use the same instructions, but on step No. 5, make sure to turn on the settings.
While this isn't a permanent solution, it's the best option to disable the Windows 10 antivirus to perform specific tasks.
How to disable Windows Defender Antivirus using Group Policy
On Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise, you can use the Local Group Policy Editor to disable Windows Defender Antivirus permanently using these steps:
Open Start.
Search for gpedit.msc and click the top result to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
Browse the following path:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender Antivirus
Double-click the Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus policy.
Select the Enabled option to disable Windows Defender Antivirus.
Click the Apply button.
Click the OK button.
Restart your device.
After you complete the steps, the default antivirus for Windows 10 will be permanently disabled on your device. However, you'll notice that the shield icon will remain in the taskbar, but this is expected because the icon is part of the Windows Security app, not from the antivirus.
If you change your mind, you can always re-enable Windows Defender Antivirus using the same instructions, but on step No. 5, make sure to select the Not Configured option, and restart your device to apply the changes.
How to disable Windows Defender Antivirus using Registry
Alternatively, if you don't have access to the Local Group Policy Editor, or you're running Windows 10 Home, you can still modify the Registry to disable Windows Defender Antivirus permanently.
Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky, and it can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. It's recommended to make a full backup of your PC before proceeding.
To disable Windows Defender Antivirus permanently modifying the Registry, use these steps:
Open Start.
Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry Editor.
Quick tip: You can now copy and paste the path in the Registry's address bar to quickly jump to the key destination.
Right-click the Windows Defender (folder) key, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name the key DisableAntiSpyware and press Enter.
Double-click the newly created DWORD and change the value from 0 to 1.
Click the OK button.
Restart your device.
Once you complete the steps, Windows Defender Antivirus will no longer protect your system against malware.
If you want to revert the changes, you can use the same instructions, but on step No. 6, right-click the DisableAntiSpyware key and select the Delete option.
Recommendation
While there are multiple methods that you can use to disable Windows Defender Antivirus on Windows 10, we don't recommend using a computer without anti-malware software.
However, you may come across some situations when disabling the feature could be the best action. If you're installing third-party anti-malware, you don't need to disable Windows Defender Antivirus, as it'll be disabled automatically during the installation process.
If you don't like Windows Defender Antivirus, you should consider these alternatives:
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
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The scourge that is ransomware has been making all sorts of headlines recently. For those infected by this most insidious form of malware, the consequences can be catastrophic, expensive, and more than a little bit embarrassing. But there are ways to protect yourself from the criminals using this technique to make a quick buck.
More about Windows
There are three primary ways to avoid ransomware:
Be careful: Don't just click every link that crosses you path and don't share authentication information with anyone. Social engineering is still the primary way criminals gain access to your devices.
Apply security patches: New security vulnerabilities for just about every operating system and just about every application are being discovered nearly every single day. Applying patches and fixes immediately upon release is just the cost of living in a connected world.
Install ransomware protection: Anti-malware security applications are now available to combat this latest threat and should be installed and activated. In fact, the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update includes Microsoft's latest anti-ransomware application as a built-in part of the operating system.
SEE:17 tips for protecting Windows computers and Macs from ransomware (TechRepublic PDF)
You must turn it on
Oddly enough, you must proactively turn on this new ransomware protection feature since it is off by default. It's not difficult to do, but as is Microsoft's way, the option is buried fairly deep in the configuration settings. Here are the steps to turn it on, along with a simple explanation of some of its features.
Remember, the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update must be installed before these settings will apply.
SEE: Cybersecurity spotlight: The ransomware battle (Tech Pro Research)
The easiest way to get to the Windows Defender Security Center on your PC is by typing defender into the Cortana search box. The first application in the results should be the Windows Defender Security Center app, and it should look like Figure A.
Figure A
Click the Virus & Threat Protection link to get the proper configuration screen, which should look similar to Figure B.
Figure B
Microsoft Malware Download Windows 10
Scroll down this screen until you reach the Controlled Folder Access section. You'll find that the slider button is off by default. Slide it to On, as shown in Figure C, and you should be prompted to approve the change.
Figure C
Once you turn this feature on, two new links will appear under Controlled Folder Access. The Protected Folders link allows you to specify which folders should be included in the protected list. On my PC, the original list did not include the Download folder, for example, so I added it (Figure D).
Figure D
If you ever have a trusted application blocked by this ransomware protection application, you can add it to the trusted list via the Allow An App Through The Controlled Folder Access link (Figure E).
Figure E
SEE: How to get the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update early (TechRepublic)
Be proactive
Ransomware is more than an annoyance for those dealing with aftermath of being infected. The best way to prevent any malware attack is by being cautious, skeptical, and, above all, proactive. Activating the anti-ransomware app built into the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is one simple and effective way to add protection to your computing devices.
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Information Security Management Fundamentals (TechRepublic Academy)
Enterprises should make plans for the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update now--before it's too late (TechRepublic)
Ransomware: The smart person's guide (TechRepublic)
The top 10 worst ransomware attacks of 2017, so far (TechRepublic)
What's new in Microsoft's Windows 10 IoT Fall Creators Update release (ZDNet)