Uninstall Windows Defender in Windows 7

Question

Can Windows Defender be permanently uninstalled/removed from my current Windows 7 installation, it can't be done through the Add/Remove Programs Wizard.

Answer 1

I do not think it is possible to completly remove without the aid of a tool such as Vlite.

However, your best bet is to go in to "Computer Management" then "Services" and set the Windows Defender service to disabled.

Answer 2

Not that I know of, but you could stop it bothering you by setting the service to disabled.

Answer 3

You can also go into the Windows Defender GUI an uncheck the option "Use Windows Defender".

Answer 4

There is a portable application entitled Windows Defender Uninstaller.

• Download it from the link above.
• Run it.
• Click the button to uninstall Defender.
• The lower pane will show what’s being deleted and if there are any errors.

However:

Please read this article entitled "How To Disable, Uninstall or Remove Windows Defender" to gain greater insight to the above actions including firstly disabling Windows Defender (best practice) and also How To Manually Remove it (if you feel that this is more appropriate), before attempting the above.

Answer 5

Open the RUN dialog box (windows + R key) and type "services.msc".

You can disable the windows Defender and many other services from there and also the Firewall.

Answer 6

See How To Uninstall, Disable, and Remove Windows Defender. Also, How Turn it Off.