Windows 10: Disable Windows Defender

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Windows Defender can be turned off temporarily from the program itself, but it will turn itself back on later. The steps below show how to disable Windows Defender completely.

To Permanently Disable Windows Defender:

  • Note: This method uses the Group Policy Editor, only available in Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise.

1. Open the Start Menu, type gpedit.msc, then press Enter.

gpedit.msc typed into the start menu
 

2. In the Local Group Policy Editor, double click Computer Configuration in the right area of the window.

Computer Configuration highlighted in the group policy window
 

3. Double click Administrative Templates in the same area.

Administrative Templates highlighted in the group policy window
 

4. Double click Windows Components in the same area.

Windows Components highlighted in the group policy window
 

5. Double click Windows Defender in the same area; it is further down in the list, so you will need to scroll down to see it.

Windows Defender highlighted in the group policy window
 

6. Double click the option Turn off Windows Defender in the same area.

Turn off Windows Defender highlighted in the group policy window
 

7. Select Enabled at the top left corner of the window, then click OK at the bottom right of the window. Windows Defender is now permanently disabled; you can, however, enable it again it you select Disabled or Not Configured in this window later.

The settings for Turn off Windows Defender in group policy

 

Referenced from: ghacks.net

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7/17/2018 8:52:42 AM