Sam

 

Turn Off Microsoft Defender in Windows 10: Temporarily or Permanently

How to Turn Off Windows Defender: Quick Steps

1. Press the Windows key and type "security".
2. Click Windows Security in the search results.
3. Go to Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection settings.
4. Click the switch next to "Real-time protection."
5. Click Yes to confirm.

1

Press the Windows key and type "Windows Security." A list of matching search results will appear.

• This method temporarily turns off Defender’s real-time antimalware protection, which can be helpful if you need to install trusted software that Defender improperly flags as harmful.
• Defender will turn back on automatically after you restart your PC.

2

Click Windows Security in the search results. This opens your security settings.

• If you don't see this option, you're likely not signed in as an administrator. If you're not the administrator of the PC, you won't be able to disable Windows Defender.
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• 3
  Click Virus & threat protection. It's the first option below the "Protection areas" heading near the top of the page.
  
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• 4

  Click Virus & threat protection settings. You'll find this option in the middle of the page.

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5

Disable Microsoft Defender's real-time scanning. Turning off real-time protection will mean your device is vulnerable until it turns back on.^[1]

• Click the blue "On" switch below the "Real-time protection" heading.
• Click Yes when prompted. This will turn off the real-time scanning feature of Microsoft Defender.
• You can also disable Microsoft Defender's cloud-based protection by clicking the blue "On" switch below "Cloud-delivered protection" and clicking Yes when prompted.
• Windows Defender will turn itself back on the next time you restart your computer.
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