How to disable Windows Defender

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Windows Defender active

Windows Defender is a free Antivirus which comes bundled with your Windows 8 and 10. Based on my experience, I would say its a good Antivirus & Antimalware program but no thanks, I’m more of a Norton guy. If you really need to disable Windows Defender (for whatever reason) then this quick guide is just what you need.

* Note: Its not advisable to disable Windows Defender without having a worthy substitute in place. The web isn’t a place you would want to surf without protection.

How do I disable Windows Defender?

Launch the Windows Start menu, type regedit then click it from the search results

Windows regedit launch

The Registry Editor dashboard should now be open

Registry Editor dashbaord

On the left tab, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender and Click Windows Defender

Windows Defender registry key

Create a new key by right-clicking the empty space on the right tab , selecting New then DWORD

Create new registry key for Windows defender

Name the new key DisableAntiSpyware and press Enter to save

Windows Defender DisableAntiSpyware registry key

Double-click DisableAntiSpyware then set Value data to 1 and click OK

DisableAntiSpyware registry key value data

Create three more keys; DisableAntiVirus, DisableBehaviorMonitoring and DisableOnAccessProtection and also set their Value data to 1

DisableAntiSpyware DisableAntiVirus DisableBehaviorMonitoring DisableOnAccessProtection Windows Defender registry keys

Restart the PC then try to launch Windows Defender on boot. You should get “This app is turned off by group policy”

Windows deefender successfully disabled

Hovatek….just a button away!