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WORKAROUND

How to permanently disable Windows Defender Antivirus on

Windows 10
If you must permanently disable Windows Defender Antivirus on Windows 10, use this guide to learn the steps on how
to do it.

MAURO HUCULAK 14 Nov 2017  10

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 

W indows Defender Antivirus is the free malware solution that Microsoft includes on every installation
of Windows 10. It's a security software package meant to provide the first line of defense to protect
your device and data against malware, including viruses, ransomware, rootkits, spyware, and other types
of malicious programs.

Although the antivirus runs automatically, and it can disable itself as you install a third-party security
software, the only caveat is that Windows 10 doesn't o er a way to disable it permanently. Perhaps the
obvious reason is that Microsoft doesn't want you to use your device without any protection, which is a
good thing.

However, there are still some cases where some users may prefer not to use Windows Defender Antivirus,
such as on a kiosk device that isn't connected to a network and where peripheral connectivity isn't
allowed.
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In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to permanently disable the Windows Defender
Antivirus on your computer using Group Policy, Registry, and Windows Defender Security Center.

 How to disable Windows Defender Antivirus using Group Policy 
 How to disable Windows Defender Antivirus using Registry
 How to disable Windows Defender Antivirus using Security Center

How to disable Windows Defender Antivirus using Group Policy

On Windows 10 Pro, it's possible to use the Group Policy Editor to disable the Windows Defender Antivirus
permanently.

1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.

2. Type gpedit.msc and click OK to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
3. Browse the following path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components >

Windows Defender Antivirus

4. On the right side, double-click the Turn o Windows Defender Antivirus policy.

5. Select the Enabled option.

6. Click Apply.

7. Click OK.

8. Browse the following path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components >

Windows Defender Antivirus > Real-time Protection

9. On the right side, double-click the Turn on behavior monitoring policy.

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10. Select the Disabled option.

11. Click Apply.
12. Click OK.

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13. On "Real-time Protection," double-click the Monitor file and program activity on your computer
policy.
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14. Select the Disabled option.

15. Click Apply.
16. Click OK.

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17. On "Real-time Protection," double-click the Turn on process scanning whenever real-time
protection
 is enabled policy.
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18. Select the Disabled option.
19. Click Apply.
20. Click OK.
 

21. On "Real-time Protection," double-click the Turn on behavior monitoring policy.

 the Disabled option.
22. Select    
23. Click Apply.
24. Click OK.
 

25. Restart your computer.

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Once you've completed the steps, Windows Defender Antivirus will no longer scan and detect malware on
your device, even after restarting your computer.

At any time, you can enable the Windows Defender Antivirus using the same steps, but on step No. 5, 10,
and 14, make sure to select the Not Configured option. Then just restart your device to apply the changes.

How to disable Windows Defender Antivirus using Registry

The Local Group Policy Editor is not available on Windows 10 Home, but you can still achieve the same
results changing the Registry settings.
Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the registry is risky, and it can cause irreversible damage

to your installation if you don't do it correctly. It's recommended to make a full backup of your PC before
proceeding.

1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
2. Type regedit, and click OK to open the Registry.

3. Browse the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

4. Right-click on the Windows Defender (folder) key, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.

5. Name the key DisableAntiSpyware and press Enter.

6. Double-click the newly created key and set the value from 0 to 1.
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7. Click OK.
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8. Right-click on the Windows Defender (folder) key, select New, and click on Key.
9. Name the key Real-Time Protection and press Enter.

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10. Right-click on the Real-Time Protection (folder) key, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit)
Value.
11. Name the key DisableBehaviorMonitoring and press Enter.
12. Double-click the newly created key and set the value from 0 to 1.
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13. Click OK.

14. Right-click on the Real-Time Protection (folder) key, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit)
Value.
15. Name the key DisableOnAccessProtection and press Enter.
16. Double-click the newly created key and set the value from 0 to 1.
17. Click OK.

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18. Right-click on the Real-Time Protection (folder) key, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit)
Value.
19. Name the key DisableScanOnRealtimeEnable and press Enter.
20. Double-click the newly created key and set the value from 0 to 1.
21. Click OK.

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After completing the steps, simply restart your computer to disable the Windows Defender Antivirus
 
permanently.

If you change your mind, you can always revert the changes using the same instructions, but on step No.
3, right-click the DisableAntiSpyware key, and select Delete. Then inside the Windows Defender (folder)
key, right-click the Real-Time Protection (folder) key and select Delete to remove key and its content.
Finally, restart your device to complete reverting the changes.

How to disable Windows Defender Antivirus using Security Center

Alternatively, if you're installing a piece of software that requires deactivating the antivirus to install
correctly, or you simply want to disable the Windows 10 built-in antivirus temporarily, you can use the
following steps:

1. Open Windows Defender Security Center.

2. Click on Virus & threat protection.

3. Click the Virus & threat protection settings option.

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4. Turn o the Real-time protection toggle switch.

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After completing the steps, Windows Defender Antivirus will be disabled making it unable to monitor and
stop malware from taking over your device. However, this is a temporary solution, eventually, the antivirus
will re-activate automatically after you restart your device.

Wrapping things up

While there could be scenarios where you may need to disable the antivirus, it's never recommended to
have your device without malware protection.

If you're trying to get rid of Windows Defender Antivirus because you prefer another security software, you
should know that the built-in antivirus will disable itself automatically during the installation of third-party
security software.

It's should also be noted that the shield icon will continue to appear in the notification area of the Taskbar
becauseit's the Windows Defender
 Security Center  to the antivirus. 
icon, not merely dedicated

In the case you don't like the default anti-malware solution, here are a few alternatives that won't cost you
a penny for basic protection.