Windows 10 has its own built-in protection program, it’s Microsoft Defender Antivirus. But if you don’t like it, this is how to disable it.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus is the Windows 10 built-in anti-malware solution designed to protect your device and data from unwanted viruses, ransomware, rootkits, spyware, and other forms of malware and hackers.
It’s the best option to keep your system safe, but for many reasons, you may want to disable it permanently or temporarily.
Windows 10 does not include an option to uninstall or disable the Defender Antivirus, but it still possible to disable it permanently using Group Policy or installing a third-party solution, or temporarily using the Windows Security app.
Let’s see how.
How to disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows 10?
Using Windows Security
This will turn the program off temporarily.
- Open Start.
- Search for Windows Security and click the top result to open the app.
- 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 to disable Microsoft Defender temporarily.
Once you complete the steps, the Microsoft Defender Antivirus will temporarily disable the real-time protection, when you restart the device, the antivirus will re-enable again automatically.
Using Group Policy
If you are running Windows 10 Pro, it’s possible to enable a Group Policy Object to disable the program permanently.
But you also have to disable the “Tamper Protection” feature before the policy can apply.
Disable Tamper Protection:
- Open Start.
- Search for Windows Security and click the top result to open the app.
- Click on Virus & threat protection.
- Under the “Virus & threat protection settings” section, click the Manage settings option.
- Turn off the Tamper Protection toggle switch.
Disable Microsoft Defender:
- 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 > Microsoft Defender Antivirus
- Double-click the Turn off Defender Antivirus policy.
- Select the Enabled option to disable it.
- Click the Apply button.
- Click the OK button.
- Restart your computer.
Now you disabled it permanently, but the “shield” icon will remain in the taskbar.
