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This wikiHow teaches you how to turn off Microsoft Defender (formerly Windows Defender), in Windows 10. While Microsoft Defender can be disabled until you restart your computer from within Settings, you cannot prevent Microsoft Defender from turning itself back on without help of 3rd party apps. Keep in mind that disabling Microsoft Defender will open up your computer to security threats.
Steps
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1
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2Open Settings . Click the gear-shaped Settings icon in the lower-left side of the Start menu. Doing so opens the Settings window.Advertisement
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3
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4Click Windows Security. This tab is in the upper-left side of the window.
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5Click Virus & threat protection. It's the first option below the "Protection areas" heading near the top of the page. Doing so opens the Windows Defender window.
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6Click Virus & threat protection settings. You'll find this option in the middle of the page.
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7Disable Microsoft Defender's real-time scanning. Click the blue "On" switch below the "Real-time protection" heading, then click Yes when prompted. This will turn off the real-time scanning feature of Windows Defender.[1]
- You can also disable Microsoft Defender's cloud-based protection by clicking the blue "On" switch below the "Cloud-delivered protection" heading and then clicking Yes when prompted.
- Microsoft Defender will turn itself back on the next time you restart your computer.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionI did not order Microsoft Defender, how do I delete it?
R2_d2000Top AnswererMicrosoft Defender comes with Windows 10, and, unfortunately, it cannot be deleted. -
QuestionIs there a way to turn it off without admin privileges?
Community AnswerNo, you need to be an administrator to disable Windows Defender. This is a security measure to prevent viruses from turning Windows Defender off. However, if you know what you are doing and are certain of the safety of a third party app, it is possible to turn it off by using third party operating systems or startup disks which can access system settings of this system or user account, and disabling services with help of third party apps. -
QuestionIt keeps getting switched back to on. Why?R2_d2000Top AnswererThis is because Microsoft Defender automatically turns itself back on whenever Windows restarts.
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QuestionMicrosoft Defender is supposed to turn off its periodic scans when another Anti-Virus program is installed, but it does not do so. What can I do?R2_d2000Top AnswererIt's possible that your anti-virus program is not registering itself in the Windows Security Center. Try to contact the anti-virus company for support.
Warnings
- Disabling Microsoft Defender may also disable any other antivirus programs, such as Norton or McAfee.Thanks!
- Disabling Microsoft Defender may open your computer up to security threats. You should not do this unless you know what you are doing.Thanks!
References
About This Article
1. Open the Start menu.
2. Click Settings.
3. Click Update & Security.
4. Click Windows Security.
5. Click Virus & threat protection.
6. Click Virus & threat protection settings.
7. Toggle off "Real-time protection."
For more information on how to disable Microsoft Defender, read on!
