Why Not Use the Default Option?
It may seem a little confusing that turning off Windows Defender permanently is trickier than it should be. After all, there’s an option within Windows to disable Defender. Also, just as in Windows 10, turning everything off is just temporary. This is great if you just need to turn Windows Defender off for a short while but doesn’t solve the ultimate goal of turning off Windows Defender permanently. Note: if you’re already using another antivirus instead of Windows Defender, you may not see these settings at all – which is a fix in itself and will be detailed below.
Disable Windows Defender Permanently
Fortunately, there are ways to make it so that Windows Defender doesn’t reenable itself. Keep in mind that you’ll have to make sure you do not browse the Web without a functioning antivirus active! You need to have something installed beforehand to make up for Windows Defender being turned off. You have a few options when it comes to disabling Windows Defender. If you don’t use any of the above editions, or aren’t sure which one you’re using, don’t worry! All versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11 can turn off Windows Defender using the registry method. Just follow the steps below, and you should have your problem fixed in no time. Before you proceed with registry options, you have to disable Windows Defender Tamper Protection. This is a great feature that helps prevent another user or even a virus from disabling your built-in antivirus. Otherwise, any changes you make in the following sections will go away once you restart.
Using the Registry (Available for ALL Users)
Note: Make a backup of your registry before you make any changes. You can do this by opening the Registry Editor, then “File -> Export.” Place the copy in a safe place. If you want to clean up your registry from time to time, learn how to defragment it. If anything related to Defender is still running, add the following DWORD values in the following folder locations using the same process as above:
DisableRealtimeMonitoring – set the value to 1. DisableRoutinelyTakingAction – set the value to 1. DisableAntiVirus – set the value to 1. DisableSpecialRunningModes – set the value to 1. ServiceKeepAlive – set value to 0.
You may also need to create three new folders under Windows Defender. Right-click the “Windows Defender” folder and select “New -> Key.” Add three new Keys: “Signature Updates,” “Real-Time Protection,” and “Spynet.” Next, add the following DWORD values to the corresponding folders:
ForceUpdateFromMU – set value to 0.
DisableRealtimeMonitoring – set value to 1. DisableOnAccessProtection – set value to 1. DisableBehaviorMonitoring – set value to 1. DisableScanOnRealtimeEnable (Set value to 1)
DisableBlockAtFirstSeen – set value to 1.
Tip: if you’re having trouble opening Windows Security on your PC, here are some fixes.
Using Local Group Policy
Use a Third-Party Antivirus
You’re not under any obligation to use what Windows comes with. While it does work surprisingly well, you can use any third-party antivirus. This is also an easy way to permanently disable Windows Defender. Windows Defender issues might cause you to get a “This setting is managed by your administrator” error. Fortunately, we can help you solve it.
Disable Periodic Scanning
Even if you’ve installed another antivirus, Windows may still run periodic scans. These won’t run at the same time as your third-party antivirus, but if you want to fully disable Windows Defender, you’ll want to stop these extra scans. By default, Windows 11 turns periodic scans off when installing another antivirus, but Windows 10 doesn’t always do this.
Disable Windows Defender Tasks
If Windows Defender is still trying to run, you may need to manually disable a few tasks and services. Ever wondered if your antivirus is working properly? Learn how to test your program against real malware to get the answer. Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Crystal Crowder.
