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Permanently Disable Windows Defender?


I'm on build 10074 of Windows 10 and cannot find a way to permanently disable Windows Defender. When I go to Control Panel > Windows Defender > Settings, it brings up the new Windows 10 System Settings app which gives an option to turn "Real-time protection" off. However, the description on that states:
Real-tim protection helps find and stop malware form installing or running on your PC. You can turn it off temporarily, but if it's off for a while, we'll turn it back on automatically.
After about 15 minutes, it turns itself back on. How can I disable this permanently?

Thanks

Hello LostLogic, and welcome to windowssh blog.

Windows Defender - Turn On or Off in Windows 10

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Unfortunately, I've already tried that and it doesn't allow me to stop or disable the service.

I get an, "Operation Could Not Be Completed, Access is denied." error.

Once you installed a 3rd party AV, that almost always disable WD for good with no way to re-enable it other than doing a clean install.

Interesting, but I don't have another AV I wish to install - I'd just like to disable it.

Since this is a TP. The option to turn off/disable Windows Defender is grayed out. However, you can turn off by:

Windows Defender - Turn On or Off in Windows 10

  1. Open Admin Command Prompt and type: gpedit.msc
  2. Manoeuver to: Computer Configuration->Administrative Templates->Windows Components->Windows Defender
  3. 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.


Absolutely beautiful. You are a wonderful person, topgundcp! :P

Thanks

Absolutely beautiful. You are a wonderful person, topgundcp! :P

Thanks
Glad we could help.

Currently I am using Defender but it does not appear in the tray. Is there a way to make it appear there?

Currently I am using Defender but it does not appear in the tray. Is there a way to make it appear there?
Control Panel->Notification Area Icons, see screen shot:

Notification Area Icons - Hide or Show in Windows 10



NOTE:You can put a tick mark back in step 1 to show all icons.

System Icons - Turn On or Off in Windows 10

Permanently Disable Windows Defender?