How To Turn Off Windows Defender

How To Turn Off Windows Defender

Windows Defender is a built-in antivirus software that comes with Windows operating system. While it provides essential protection against malware and other threats, some users may want to turn off Windows Defender temporarily or permanently for various reasons, such as to install third-party antivirus software, to troubleshoot system issues, or to improve system performance. In this article, we will discuss how to turn off Windows Defender in Windows 10.

Method 1: Temporarily Disable Windows Defender using Security Center

Windows Security Center is a built-in tool that allows you to manage the security and maintenance of your computer. Here's how you can use it to temporarily disable Windows Defender:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on "Update & Security."
3. Select "Windows Security" from the left-hand menu.
4. Click on "Virus & threat protection."
5. Under "Virus & threat protection settings," click on "Manage settings."
6. Toggle off the switch for "Real-time protection."

This will turn off Windows Defender temporarily. However, keep in mind that your computer may be at risk of malware and other threats while Windows Defender is disabled.

Method 2: Permanently Disable Windows Defender using Group Policy

If you want to permanently disable Windows Defender, you can use Group Policy Editor to do so. Here's how:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type "gpedit.msc" and press Enter.
3. Navigate to "Computer Configuration" > "Administrative Templates" > "Windows Components" > "Windows Defender Antivirus."
4. Double-click on "Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus."
5. Select the "Enabled" radio button.
6. Click on "Apply" and then "OK."

This will permanently disable Windows Defender. However, keep in mind that your computer may be at risk of malware and other threats while Windows Defender is disabled. It's recommended that you install a third-party antivirus software to provide protection for your computer.

Note that disabling Windows Defender can leave your computer vulnerable to malware and other security threats. It's recommended that you only disable it temporarily and install a reputable antivirus software to provide protection for your computer.

How To Control Windows Defender

Schedule Windows Defender Scans

Windows Defender automatically scans your computer for malware and other threats in real-time. However, you can also schedule periodic scans to ensure that your computer is always protected. Here's how to schedule Windows Defender scans:

• Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security.

• Click on Virus & threat protection.

• Click on Manage settings under the Virus & threat protection settings.

• Scroll down and click on the "Manage settings" link under "Scheduled scans."

• Toggle the switch for "Periodic scanning" to turn it on.

• Click on "Add a new scan" to create a new scan schedule.

• Select the day and time you want the scan to run, and click on "Add scan."

You can also customize the scan type, such as a quick scan, full scan, or custom scan, and choose whether to scan removable drives or not.

View Windows Defender History

Windows Defender keeps a history of all the threats that it has detected and removed from your computer. Here's how to view Windows Defender history:

• Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security.

• Click on Virus & threat protection.

• Click on "Protection history" under "Current threats."

• You can view a list of all the threats that Windows Defender has detected and removed from your computer.

Windows Defender provides essential protection against malware and other security threats. By knowing how to control Windows Defender, you can ensure that your computer is always protected and secure.

Windows Defender Download

Windows Defender is a built-in antivirus software that comes pre-installed with Windows 11. It provides real-time protection against viruses, malware, and other security threats. Therefore, there's no need to download Windows Defender separately as it's already included in Windows 11.

If you have Windows 11 installed on your computer, you can access Windows Defender by following these steps:

• Click on the Windows Start button located in the bottom left corner of the desktop.
• Click on the gear icon to open the Settings app.
• Click on the "Update & Security" option.
• Click on the "Windows Security" option.
• You will see a dashboard of security options. Click on the "Virus & threat protection" option to access Windows Defender.

If you're using an older version of Windows, such as Windows 7 or 8, you won't be able to use Windows Defender. Instead, you'll need to install a separate antivirus software to protect your computer. There are several third-party antivirus software options available, such as Avast, AVG, Norton, and McAfee.

It's essential to keep your antivirus software up-to-date to ensure that your computer is protected against the latest security threats. Windows Defender updates automatically through Windows Update, so make sure to keep your Windows 10 up-to-date to receive the latest Windows Defender updates. If you're using a third-party antivirus software, make sure to check for updates regularly to ensure that your computer is protected.

In conclusion, Windows Defender is a crucial component of Windows operating system that provides protection against malware and other threats. However, if you need to turn it off temporarily or permanently, you can follow the methods described above. Always make sure to install an alternative antivirus software to protect your computer from malware and other threats.