How to Permanently Disable Defender Antivirus on Windows 10

The Windows Defender Antivirus is trustworthy and a free anti-malware feature designed to defend the data and the system from ransomware, spyware, and harmful viruses. It is an apt solution most f the time, but there are situations when you need to disable antivirus temporarily or permanently.

For example, when you are not fine with the solution, then you need to execute the particular task in which it is necessary to disable the feature on the system. Then you are customizing the kiosk PC that will not connect to the network, or you may have to accomplish with the security policies of the organization.

The exemption is the Windows 10 does not have a choice to disable or uninstall Defender Antivirus permanently till you install the third-party antivirus. However, you can disable the inbuilt security feature via Registry or Group policy or using the Security application temporarily. If you want to disable Defender Antivirus on Windows 10 permanently, then you are on the right post. Read through the blog and follow the instructions to execute it.

How to Disable Defender Antivirus via Windows Security

Prior to disabling an inbuilt security solution, if you are trying to execute any particular task, you don’t have to disable the Defender Antivirus permanently. You can switch it off temporarily.

If you want to disable Defender Antivirus via Windows security, then abide by the given instructions:

1. Launch Start.
2. Locate the Windows Security and then tap on upper result to launch the app.
3. Press on the Virus & threat protection option.
4. Select the Manage settings button below Virus & threat protection settings menu.
5. Switch off Real-time protection option to stop Windows Defender.

As you finish the process, the antivirus will disable real-time protection in which you can install the application or make any particular device change which you are unable to perform before as security feature is blocking the action.

How to Disable Windows Defender via Group Policy

If the device is using the Windows 10 Pro, you may disable the Windows Defender permanently using Group Policy Editor. Though you have to first stop Tamper Protection before switching off antivirus. Otherwise, the security feature is going to start again automatically in a next reboot.

Disable the Tamper Protection

If you want to disable the Tamper Protection, then you can follow the provided steps:

1. Launch Start.
2. Locate the Windows Security and then tap on upper result to launch the app.
3. Press on the Virus & threat protection option.
4. Select the Manage settings button below Virus & threat protection settings menu.
5. Switch off the Tamper Protection option.

As you finish the procedure, you may move further to disable the Windows Defender permanently via Group Policy.

Disable the Windows Defender

If you wish to disable the Windows Defender, then pursue the given instructions:

1. Launch Start.
2. Locate the gpedit.msc and then tap on the upper result to launch Group Policy Editor.
3. Click on the Computer Configuration.
4. Select the Administrative Templates option.
5. Tap on Windows Components.
6. Then hit Windows Defender option.
7. Tap twice Turn off Windows Defender policy option.
8. Press Enabled button to disable Windows Defender.
9. Choose Apply option.
10. Tap on OK option.
11. Start the system.

As you finish the process, antivirus is going to disable on PC permanently. Though you will discover that the shield tab will stay in a taskbar, this is the expected nature as the icon is the part of a Security app and not from antivirus.

How to Disable Windows Defender via Registry

If you can’t access to Group Policy Editor or you are running the Windows 10 home, you may still change Registry to disable Windows Defender permanently.

Disable the Tamper Protection

In case you need to disable the Tamper Protection, then you need to follow the offered steps:

1. Launch Start.
2. Locate the Windows Security and then tap on upper result to launch the app.
3. Press on the Virus & threat protection option.
4. Select the Manage settings button below Virus & threat protection settings menu.
5. Switch off Tamper Protection option.

As you finish the procedure, disabling inbuilt antivirus will not re-enable after you start the PC again next time.

Disable the Windows Defender

Follow the provided steps in order to disable the Windows Defender:

1. Launch Start.
2. Locate the Regedit and then tap on the upper result to launch Registry Editor.
3. Search the given path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

• Right-click Windows Defender key and then click on New.
• Tap on DWORD value.
• Name key DisableAntiSpyware and then click on Enter.
• Tap twice on created DWORD and then modify value from 0 to 1.
• Hit the OK option.
• Start the device again.

As the procedure finishes, Windows Defender will not defend the system from the malware.

Source :- https://smartmcafee.com/how-to-permanently-disable-defender-antivirus-on-windows-10/

Kellie Minton is an avid technical blogger, a magazine contributor, a publisher of guides at mcafee.com/activate and a professional cyber security analyst. Through her writing, she aims to educate people about the dangers and threats lurking in the digital world  .