How do I completely turn off Windows Defender in Windows 10?

As discussed here, Windows Defender seems to be the cause that make File Explorer become very slow to use.

So I want to turn it off completely - using Real-time Protection off is just a temporary turn-off; Windows 10 will turn it back on later.

Nam G VU

Posted 2015-10-19T02:34:20.940

Reputation: 10 255

http://wmug.co.uk/wmug/b/pwin/archive/2015/05/12/quickly-disable-windows-defender-on-windows-10-using-powershell – Moab – 2016-02-29T22:09:43.453

– Peter Mortensen – 2018-11-04T19:03:55.557

Your link has always been broken; probably the title was used instead of the URL (I had to modify it). Can you provide the URL (by editing your question, not here in comments)? And flag this comment when done. – Peter Mortensen – 2018-11-04T19:04:09.307

Answers

Take ownership of the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender. Now set the value DisableAntiSpyware to 1.

This stops Windows Defender.

p.s. Download link for the tool.

In newer Windows 10 Builds (1703, 1709), this is not working any longer. Windows prevents creating keys under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender.

Here, go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender, create a DWORD DisableAntiSpyware and set it to 1:

Now reboot and Defender should not start again.

magicandre1981

Posted 2015-10-19T02:34:20.940

Reputation: 86 560

For me this was the only thing that worked on one machine. The group policy setting had no effect, even though on another computer that worked. Also if the key doesn't exist, just create a DWORD one. – Sami Kuhmonen – 2015-10-19T04:20:33.200

@magicandre1981 I also see DisableAntiVirus in the list. Do we need to make it 1 as DisableAntiSpyware? – Nam G VU – 2015-10-19T04:28:33.450

Yeah, set both entries and see if the defender is completely disabled. – magicandre1981 – 2015-10-19T15:54:28.397

It's still turned back on @magicandre1981 – Nam G VU – 2015-10-21T01:52:42.180

hm, this is strange. I set the values in Win8 and it never turns on again. – magicandre1981 – 2015-10-21T04:24:00.350

I'm not sure exactly what you have researched already, but here are a few quick potential solutions for you.

TEMPORARY OFF:

Open Windows Defender by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button. In the search box, type Defender, and then, in the list of results, click Windows Defender.
Click Tools, and then click Options.
Click Administrator, select or clear the Use this program check box, and then click Save. Administrator permission required If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

LINK: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/turn-windows-defender-on-off#turn-windows-defender-on-off=windows-7

PERMANENT OFF:

A big thanks to TOPGUNDCP for the possible solution here.

PS. I have not tested it (as I do not wish to disable my own Windows Defender), but this seems like a good starting point.

Open Admin Command Prompt and type: gpedit.msc
Manoeuver to: Computer Configuration->Administrative Templates->Windows Components->Windows Defender
Double click on "Turn Off Windows Defender" and select "Enabled" then click "Apply"

WARNING: After turn off "Windows Defender", you might not be able to turn it back on. I suggest before trying this, make a backup image so you can restore to the way it was.

LINK: http://www.tenforums.com/antivirus-firewalls-system-security/5879-permanently-disable-windows-defender-post234396.html?s=90095f90f13d22416a5d1751ede0bd64#post234396

Adan Rehtla

Posted 2015-10-19T02:34:20.940

Reputation: 131