Windows Defender is a built-in mechanism of the operating system that allows you to counteract malicious software. So, he copes with viruses, spyware and other pests. Nevertheless, not all users like the protection provided by Microsoft, so many of them are thinking about how to disable it. On how to do this, and will be discussed later.
A bit of history
Work on Windows Defender began in December 2004, when Microsoft took over GIANT, and in January of the following year the first beta version of the program appeared. Then, at the RSA Security conference, Bill Gates announced free support for Windows Defender with all licensed versions of the operating system.
The final release of the program took place in October 2006. Of course, this version of Windows Defender was very different from the application that is currently in use, but it was it that was taken as the basis. Since then, the defender has acquired many useful functions and can now calmly neutralize almost all common threats.
Why disconnect?
Immediately it is worth saying that the developers simply did not provide such an opportunity as removing the Windows 10 defender (or earlier versions). Nevertheless, you can disable the program so that it does not bother you. This may be necessary in such cases:
- You decided to install an antivirus from third-party developers.
- You have a weak computer and want to free up as many system resources as possible.
- You do not use unlicensed software or visit dangerous sites.
- Windows Defender is causing problems with the operating system.
- The application blocks the installation of some programs. Most often, this happens if you try to use hacked applications downloaded from torrents.
In addition, you may simply not like Windows Defender. This is pure taste, but this sometimes happens.
Auto shut off
As mentioned earlier, you can ask yourself a question about how to disable Windows 10 Defender if you decide to install some other antivirus. This desire is understandable, because Defender provides only basic protection and can not be compared with more famous programs.
In theory, as soon as you start installing antivirus from third-party developers, the defender should automatically disconnect, passing the security of your computer into the hands of a more reliable program. If everything happened just like that, then you can no longer bother, but if not, one of the methods described below will help you.
Disconnect in Windows 8 and 8.1
To begin with, it is worth considering the deactivation of the defender in Windows 8 and 8.1. Fortunately, in these OSs this procedure is much simpler than in the same "top ten". So, to turn off Defender, do the following:
- Open the control panel. The easiest way to do this is by right-clicking on “Start” and selecting the appropriate command.
- Switch to the “Icons” view by activating this option in the right corner of the panel (“View” section).
- Open the Windows Defender main menu by double-clicking on the program icon.
- Go to the “Settings” tab, and then to the “Administrator” section.
- Uncheck the "Enable application" option.
If everything is done correctly, you will see a message stating that Windows Defender is disabled.
Disconnect in Windows 10
In the "top ten" the process of disabling Windows Defender is somewhat more confusing than in previous versions of the OS. It consists in the following:
- Click on the “Start” icon and open “Options” by clicking on the gear icon.
- Open the Update & Security category.
- Go to the Windows Defender section (left).
- Now, in the menu on the right, set all the switches to the “Off” position.
- Confirm the changes and restart the PC.
The problem here is that this method will only work in older versions of Windows 10. With the release of Creators Update, the developers added a mechanism to automatically turn on the defender after 10-15 minutes of inactivity.
Deactivation through the registry
If deactivating Windows Defender for a short time does not suit you, you can permanently disable this antivirus using the registry editor. It is done like this:
- Launch the editor by pressing Win + R and typing “regedit”.
- Open the directory HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Policies \ Microsoft \ Windows Defender.
- Right-click and click Create DWORD 32.
- Name the new key “DisableAntiSpyware” and save it.
- Open the newly created key with a double click and set it to "1".
- Confirm the changes and close the program.
Now, after rebooting the computer, you will find that Defender is completely disabled.
Group Policy Disconnect
Another way to permanently turn off the protector is to use the Group Policy Editor. To get into it, press Win + R and write “gpedit.msc”. Then do the following:
- Follow the path “PC Configuration - Administrative Templates - Components - Endpoint Protection”.
- Locate the line “Disable Endpoint Protection” on the right, open it and select “Enabled”.
- Save the changes and close the editor.
- Reboot the PC.
If everything is done correctly, you will see a message stating that the standard antivirus no longer works.
NoDefender Program
And finally, the easiest way to deactivate the defender is to use special utilities from third-party developers. For example, you can download the NoDefender utility, run it, and then do this:
- Click the “Next” button and then “Open Defender Settings”.
- The defender settings will open. You will need to switch all the sliders to the off position.
- Now go back to NoDefender and click “Next”
- Select "Disable Defender".
- Click "Next" again, and then close the program.
In fact, the NoDefender utility automatically makes changes to the registry or to Group Policy settings. The problem here is that under the guise of a program to disable the defender, malware can easily hide. In general, be careful.
Enable Protection
It happens that you change your mind and decide to re-enable Windows 10 Defender. This procedure will vary slightly, depending on how you previously disabled the regular antivirus. More specifically:
- If you just disabled Defender through the Options menu, you just need to return to the Security - Defender section and move the sliders to the Enabled position.
- If you deactivated a standard antivirus through the registry, you need to find the “DisableAntiSpyware” key and change its value from “1” to “0”. Before you enable Windows 10 Defender, be sure to save your changes.
- In the event that you used the Group Policy Editor, simply disable the “Off. Endpoint Protection. "
And finally, if you used third-party programs, then, most often, they just have a function to re-enable the defender.