Windows Defender is the security software solution provided with every Microsoft’s Windows operating system. It helps defend the system against ransomware, spyware, Trojans, viruses or other malicious software. It has low system requirements and can be updated through Windows updates.
Even though it was meant for defending system against suspicious software it can cause trouble with task which is safe to do. You can disable windows defender using PowerShell or from the Windows’s Setting menu. We have given you all the required steps to do so. Follow them thoroughly to disable it with ease.
Disable Windows Defender Real-time Protection Using PowerShell
Step 1: Open Start menu by clicking the Windows Icon on the taskbar.
Step 2: In the Search box type PowerShell and wait for the results to show.
Step 3: Right click on PowerShell and click Run as administrator option.
Step 4: Once the PowerShell opens with administrator privileges type the following command
Set-MpPreference –DisableRealtimeMonitoring $true
Press Enter key to execute the command and to disable Windows Defender Anti-Virus Protection service.
Disable Windows Defender Completely Using PowerShell
Step 1: Open PowerShell with admin rights using the above steps.
Step 2: Type the command and press Enter afterwards
New-ItemProperty –Path “HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender” –Name DisableAntiSpyware –Value 1 –PropertyType DWORD –Force
This will completely disable defender for the corresponding system
On operating system based on Windows Client like Windows 10 or Windows 8.1 you will not be able to uninstall this feature. Option available to disable it by using registry key set to DisableAntiSpyware = 1 or by using Local Group Policy Editor.
Step 1: Open gpedit.msc from the Run dialogue box.
Step 2: In the console go to the following section
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus;
Step 3: Find Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus parameter.
Step 4: Change its value to Enabled.
In the same way find Turn off real time protection parameter and change its value to Disabled.
Step 5: To update local group policy setting type the following command and press Enter.
gpupdate /force
To disable Windows Defender manually through registry or GPO in Windows 11 then you have to disable Tamper Protection feature. This feature prevents changes made to Windows Defender via PowerShell, registry setting or Group Policy option. This is enabled my default in Windows 11 or you can check this using PowerShell Command
Type the following command and press Enter
Get-MpComputerStatus | select IsTamperProtected
If it’s enabled then you can only disable it using Windows Security application.
To Disable Tamper Protection
Step 1: Open Windows Security app through Start menu.
Step 2: Find Virus and Threat Protection setting and then click on Manage Setting.
Step 3: Scroll down and find Tamper Protection and disable it.
Step 4: Confirmed the action at UAC prompt
Run the following command in the elevated PowerShell Session to uninstall Windows Defender.
Uninstall-WindowsFeature –Name Windows-Defender –whatif
Or use the DISM Tool
Dism /online / Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Windows-Defender /Remove /NoRestart /quiet
Now in case if you ever feel like enabling Windows Defender again then type the following command in PowerShell with administrative privileges and press enter.
Set-MpPreference –DisableRealtimeMonitoring $false
Using PowerShell you can manage your entire defender feature using several commands and it be advantageous for you. For now we have enlisted all the steps you need to disable windows defender using PowerShell. Disabling Windows Defender can be advantageous with your need and could also be dangerous because it will leave your system open to malicious attacks and other troubles. Therefore we suggest you use our Anti-Malware Tool which will help you to remove and protect against all malicious activities automatically. Its comprehensive solution provide you both online and offline protection.
