Windows Defender is a free antivirus software which is installed when you use Windows 10. Though it has the laptop protective function, Windows Defender is not highly recommended by users and they want to turn it off. Because of that, we will guide you how to turn off Windows Defender on Windows 10 with the easiest ways
Besides being used as an antivirus software on Windows 10 built in by Microsoft, Windows Defender is set up to always run in hidden mode and protect users’ laptops. However, the downside is that it only protects at a basic level and doesn’t have that many functions, but rather take a toll on the device.
1. Disable temporarily with Settings
If you just want to turn off Windows Defender temporarily, follow these steps below:
Step 1: Double click the Windows Defender icon on the Taskbar bar
Step 2: On the Home tab>Click on the icon with Virus & Threat protection>Click on Virus & Threat protection settings
Step 3: Switch Real-time protection mode to OFF
This method is used in many cases when you install a software required to turn off Windows Defender in order to proceed to install. If you want to turn off Windows Defender permanently, here’s the steps for you:
2. Disable with Local Group Policy
Check out what type of Windows you’re using, if you’re using Windows 10 Pro or versions like Enterprise and Education, you can use Local Group Policy Editor to deactivate Windows Defender permanently on your device in 5 steps only.
Step 1: Press Windows + R to open Run
Step 2: Enter gpedit.msc into Run then press Enter or click OK to open Local Group Policy Editor window
Step 3: At Local Group Policy Editor, click on the named icons to find path as instruction:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender
Step 4: Select Enabled to disable Windows Defender
Step 5: Continue to click Apply>OK
After finishing all 5 steps, restart your device and the Windows Defender icon will disappear automatically. After this, if you want to reactivate Windows Defender, follow the steps above and when reaching step 5, select Not configured, restart your computer to apply the change.
3. Disable with Registry Editor
If you are using Windows 10 Home, you can’t access Local Group Policy Editor. However, you can also use Registry to disable Windows Defender
Note: You should proceed to save Registry before following these steps below to avoid the worst case scenario. Save by opening File tab>Export… to save 1 backup Registry file. Whenever you want to restore it, open File tab>Import… then navigate to where the other backup files are located and the restoration is complete
Step 1: Press Windows + R to open Run, then enter regedit and press Enter (or click OK) to open Registry
Step 2: On the Registry window, navigate to the key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE >>SOFTWARE >> Policies >>Microsoft >> Windows Defender
Step 3: If cannot find DWORD DisableAntiSpyware, right-click at any bank space, then select New>DWORD (32-bit) Value
Step 4: Name this new key as DisableAntiSpyware
Step 5: Double click to this new key you just created, set the value in the Value Data box from 0 to 1
Finally, restart the computer and enjoy the results. In case you want to re – enable Windows Defender, just redo the above steps and change the value in step 5 Value Data from 1 to 0, and then reset the device
4. Directly install a professional antivirus software from a third party
Windows Defender is quite smart so when installing another antivirus software, it will detect and disable automatically to avoid conflicts. This time only the Windows Defender firewall is active on your device
With this method you disabled Windows Defender extremely fast and easy. However, Windows Defender will reactivate automatically once you remove the third party antivirus software
Needless to say, despite not being a specialized antivirus software, Windows Defender is still a browser helping you to block virus and protect your device from different common type of viruses
Therefore, you should turn it off completely only when in need the most or installing another antivirus software. If for the purpose of installing some essential software for your needs, you should only do the number 1 or number 4 to turn off temporarily
