Step-by-Step: How to Permanently Turn Off Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows 10

How to Permanently Disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows 10

Yes, you can disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows 10, and here’s how.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is an integrated security solution on Windows 10 that protects your computer from malware, viruses, ransomware, spyware, and other threats. While it is highly regarded for its effectiveness, there might be scenarios where you need to disable it permanently. This could be due to personal preferences, conflicts with certain applications, or organizational policies that necessitate its deactivation.

Although Windows 10 does not offer an option to uninstall Microsoft Defender Antivirus, you can permanently disable it using Group Policy or by installing third-party antivirus software. This guide will walk you through the methods to disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus, whether temporarily or permanently.

Temporarily Disabling Microsoft Defender Antivirus Using Windows Security

If you only need to disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus temporarily, perhaps due to conflicts with other applications or installations, follow these steps:

1. Open Windows Security:
   • Open Start, search for Windows Security, and click the top result.
2. Navigate to Virus & Threat Protection:
   • Click on Virus & threat protection.
3. Manage Settings:
   • Under the “Virus & threat protection settings” section, click Manage settings.
4. Turn Off Real-Time Protection:
   • Turn off the Real-time protection toggle switch.

This temporarily disables Microsoft Defender Antivirus, allowing you to install apps or make system changes without conflicts. After restarting your computer, the antivirus will re-enable automatically. To re-enable it manually, follow the same steps and turn on the Real-time protection toggle switch.

Permanently Disabling Microsoft Defender Antivirus Using Group Policy

For a more permanent solution, you can use the Group Policy Editor. Before applying this policy, you must disable the “Tamper Protection” feature.

Disable Tamper Protection

Tamper Protection prevents unauthorized changes to Windows Security settings. To disable it:

1. Open Windows Security:
   • Open Start, search for Windows Security, and click the top result.
2. Navigate to Virus & Threat Protection:
   • Click on Virus & threat protection.
3. Manage Settings:
   • Under the “Virus & threat protection settings” section, click Manage settings.
4. Turn Off Tamper Protection:
   • Turn off the Tamper Protection toggle switch.

Disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Now, disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus using Group Policy:

1. Open Local Group Policy Editor:
   • Open Start, search for gpedit.msc, and click the top result.
2. Navigate to Microsoft Defender Antivirus Settings:
   • Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
3. Configure Policy:
   • Double-click the “Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus” policy.
4. Enable Policy:
   • Select the Enabled option to disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus permanently.
   • Click Apply, then OK.
5. Restart Your Computer:
   • Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Although the antivirus is disabled, the “shield” icon remains in the Taskbar as part of the Windows Security app. To re-enable the antivirus, follow the same steps and select the Not Configured option. Remember to re-enable Tamper Protection using the same steps outlined above.

Disabling Microsoft Defender Antivirus Using Third-Party Solutions

If you plan to install another antivirus software, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will be disabled automatically during the installation process. Follow these steps:

1. Download Third-Party Antivirus:
   • Visit the antivirus download page. For instance, to install Bitdefender, click the Download button.
2. Install the Antivirus:
   • Double-click the downloaded file to launch the installation.
   • Agree to the licensing terms if applicable.
   • Click Install.
3. Verify Antivirus Provider:
   • Open Start, search for Windows Security, and click the top result.
   • Click on Settings at the bottom of the page.
   • Under the “Security providers” section, click Manage providers.
   • Ensure Microsoft Defender Antivirus is listed as disabled under the “Antivirus” section.

The Bottom Line

Disabling Microsoft Defender Antivirus can be necessary in certain situations, but it is not recommended to run a computer without anti-malware protection. Whether you choose to disable it temporarily or permanently, these methods provide the steps needed to manage your system’s security settings effectively. Always ensure you have alternative protection if you decide to disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus permanently.