How to Permanently Disable Windows Defender In Windows 10 And 11?

Windows Defender comes as a built-in antivirus in the Windows operating system to provide real-time protection against viruses, malware, and spyware. According to the Microsoft report, Windows Defender is consistently scoring high in Real-World Protection Rates with 99.8% accuracy in the last test.

While it’s a useful tool for protecting your computer from malware, sometimes it becomes Windows Offender as it interferes with other legitimate programs. This can lead to a frustrating user experience.

Many users want to permanently disable Windows Defender. However, Microsoft Defender antivirus keeps turning itself back on, even after you’ve disabled it.

Fortunately, there are ways to disable Microsoft Defender completely in Windows 10 and 11 without interruptions or conflicts, and it won’t reactivate until the user enables it again.

How to Permanently Disable Windows Defender In Windows 10 and 11?

Microsoft takes the security of its users very seriously. Therefore, every update makes disabling Windows Defender more and more difficult.

However, there are still many ways to permanently turn off Windows Defender. Therefore, I came up with 5 different tested methods to completely turn off Microsoft Defender antivirus.

You can follow these methods on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

1. Disable Windows Defender Using Defender Control

Defender Control is a free and easy-to-use tool that allows you to disable Windows Defender antivirus permanently without having to manually edit settings.

It’s a one-click method to completely turn off Microsoft Defender. If you don’t want to spend time navigating Windows settings, this method is an easy solution for you.

Follow the given steps to permanently disable Windows Defender in Windows 10 and 11:

  1. Visit the Defender Control website
  2. Scroll down and click on the Download button. Also, note down the password:
download defender control tool

First, we need to disable Windows real-time protection and Tamper Protection in order to avoid interruption of Microsoft Defender antivirus.

  1. Press the Windows Start button > type Windows Security > open Windows Security app under best match:
Open Windows Security app
  1. Click Virus & threat protection > select Manage Settings under Virus & threat protection settings:
Click manage settings under virus and threat protection
  1. Now, turn Off Real-time protection. Click on Yes on the Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device? prompt:
Disable real-time protection
  1. Scroll down a bit and turn off Temp protection as well:
Turn off tamper protection to permanently disable windows defender

You can dismiss the message saying your device may be vulnerable if you disable the tamper protection. After disabling real-time protection, now, navigate to the Defender Control tool you just downloaded.

  1. Extract the ZIP file of the Defender Control tool:
Extract Defender Control Tool
  1. Once extracted, open the folder and extract another ZIP file with the password “sordum”:
Extract DefCon ZIP file
  1. Open the extracted folder then, double-click on the dControl Tool:
Launch dControl Tool
  1. Click on Yes on the prompt. The Defender Control Tool will open:
defender Control Tool
  1. Click on Disable Windows Defender to permanently turn it off:
Click Disable Windows Defender to permanently disable Microsoft defender
  1. Windows Defender antivirus will be disabled permanently:
Windows Defender Disabled Permanently

In this way, you can easily disable Microsoft defender antivirus with a single click. It won’t activate again until you enable it manually. Now, you immediately need to install any reliable antivirus in order to keep your system safe from malware and viruses.

To enable windows defender, simply click on Enable Windows Defender on the defender control tool. It’ll be activated again.

Note: Make sure to disable real-time protection before executing the Defender Control tool, otherwise, Microsoft Defender will remove its files.

So, this is how to permanently disable Windows Defender easily using Defender Control free tool. You can ensure it by navigating to Windows Security app.

2. Disable Microsoft Defender Using Autoruns For Windows

Autoruns for Windows is another utility tool from Microsoft. This tool provides a detailed analysis of the programs that run when your computer starts including Microsft Defender.

We can use this tool as well to completely disable Microsoft Defender antivirus.

Follow the given steps completely turn off Windows Defender antivirus using Autorun for Windows Tool:

  1. Download Autorun for Windows tool from the Microsoft website:
Download Autoruns for Windows tool
  1. Now, extract the downloaded ZIP file:
Extract Autoruns tool

Now, we need to disable real-time protection and tamper protection. Then, reboot the system in Safe Mode. To do that, follow the steps:

  1. Click the Windows Start button > then, type Windows Security > click on Windows Security under best match:
Open Windows Security app
  1. Click Virus & threat protection > click Manage Settings under Virus & threat protection settings:
Click manage settings under virus and threat protection
  1. Here, toggle off real-time protection and tamper protection:
disable real-time protection and tamper protection to permanently disable windows defender antivirus

This way we can temporarily disable Microsoft Defender. Now, we need to reboot the system in Safe mode to permanently turn it off. Follow the given steps to do that:

  1. Click the Start button > type System Configuration > Click on System Configuration under best match:
Open System Configuration
  1. Navigate to the Boot menu > click on Safe boot > make sure Minimal is selected:
Select Safe Boot to permanently disable windows defender
  1. Once done, click on Apply > then, hit OK:
Click on Apply then, OK
  1. After that, click Restart to reboot your system in Safe mode:
Restart your system

Once your system is rebooted in Safe Mode, navigate to the extracted folder of Autoruns for Windows tool. Then, follow the given guidelines:

  1. Now, double-click on Autoruns64.exe file from the extracted folder:
Open Autorun for Windows tool to disable Microsoft defender antivirus
  1. Read the terms and then, click on Agree to continue:
Click Agree

Here, we have to disable Windefend Windows service. But, windows services are hidden by default. We’ll first unhide these services.

  1. Click on Options from the top menu > select Hide Windows Entries:
Unhide Windows Entries
  1. Now, navigate to the Services tab:
Go to Services tab
  1. Here, look for WinDefend from the list of services and uncheck it:
Uncheck WinDefend service to to permanently disable windows defender

Once done, close Autoruns tool. Now, we need to reboot our system into normal mode. To do so, follow the steps:

  1. Click the Start button > type System Configuration > Click on System Configuration under best match:
Open System Configuration
  1. Select the Normal startup option in the General tab > then, click OK > Restart your PC:
Select normal Boot

Once your system is restarted in normal mode, you can ensure Windows Defender is permanently disabled by going into Windows Security settings:

windows defender is permanently disabled

This way you can completely disable Microsoft Defender using Autoruns for windows tool. Now, Windows will not be able to automatically enable Microsoft Defender antivirus.

To enable Windows Defender antivirus again, follow the above steps again but this time check the WinDefend service in Autoruns tool. It’ll be enabled again.

3. Disable Windows Defender Using Registry Editor

If you don’t want to install third-party software to stop Windows Defender, it’s ok. We can make changes to the Windows Registry file as well in order to permanently disable Microsoft Defender antivirus in both Windows 10 and 11.

Note: You must carefully follow each step since we are going to make changes to the Windows Registry Editor otherwise, you may accidentally modify or delete important system settings that can cause serious issues with your computer’s functionality.

For both Windows 10 and Windows 11, the steps are the same. First, we must reboot the PC in Safe mode to initiate the process, otherwise, the changes will not take effect.

Follow the given procedure carefully to permanently disable Windows Defender using Registry Editor:

  1. Click the Start button > Then, type System Configuration > Click on System Configuration under best match:
Open System Configuration
  1. Navigate to the Boot menu > click on Safe boot > make sure the Minimal option is selected:
Select Safe Boot to permanently disable windows defender
  1. Once done, click on Apply > then, hit OK
  2. After that, click Restart to reboot your system in Safe mode

Once the system is restarted in Safe Mode, we can now begin to modify the Windows Registry. Follow the given steps very carefully:

  1. Click the Start button > type Regedit > Click on Registry Editor under best match:
Open Registry Editor

As we’ll modify the Registry Editor file, it’s suggested to export existing Registry settings so that they can be easily restored if something goes wrong during the modification process.

  1. To export Registry settings, click File > Export:
Export Registry Settings
  1. Now, copy the following path and paste it into the address bar:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
Go to Services in Registry File

Now, we have to change the start value of the following services to 4:

  1. Sense
  2. WdBoot
  3. WdFilter
  4. WdNisDrv
  5. WdNisSvc
  6. WinDefend

Services are sorted in alphabetical order. So, we can easily find these services from the list.

  1. To change the start value of Sense, first, find it in the list -> double-click on its Start file > change its value to 4 > click OK:
Change start value of Sense Service
  1. For WdBoot service, find it in the list -> double-click on its Start file > change its value to 4 > click OK:
Change start value of WdBoot service to permanently disable Microsoft defender

In the same, change the Start value of all the services listed above. Once changed, we need to restart the PC in normal mode. Follow the steps given below:

  1. Click the Start button > type System Configuration > Click on System Configuration under best match:
Open System Configuration
  1. Select the Normal startup option in the General tab > then, click OK > Restart your PC:
Select normal Boot

After the system is rebooted into normal mode, it is also necessary to disable the Windows Defender tasks from the Task Scheduler. Follow the steps to do so:

  1. Click the Start button > type Task Scheduler > Click on Task Scheduler under best match:
Open task scheduler app
  1. Navigate to Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows:
Navigate to Windows in Task Scheduler
  1. Scroll down to the end and click on Windows Defender from the list:
Navigate to Windows Defender

Now, disable the following services:

  1. Windows Defender Cache Maintenance
  2. Windows Defender Cleanup
  3. Windows Defender Scheduled Scan
  4. Windows Defender Verification
  1. To do so, select all these services > right-click on any service> select Disable:
Disable Windows Defender scheduled services to permanently disable it

You can disable these services separately as well. Once disabled, the Windows Defender antivirus will be permanently disabled. Now, if you visit the Windows Security app, Windows Defender must be permanently disabled.

This is also one of the methods to turn off Windows Defender permanently.

To enable the Windows Defender again, go through the above steps again and set the start values of the services to default.

These are default start values of the services:

Sense — 3

WdBoot — 0

WdFilter — 0

WdNisDrv — 3

WdNisSvc — 3

WinDefend — 2

After changing the values in Safe Mode, restart your PC as usual and the Microsoft Defender antivirus will be activated again.

4. Disable Microsoft Defender Using Group Policy Editor

In this method, we’ll use local Group Policy Editor to completely turn off Windows Defender antivirus.

Before making any changes to Group Policy, we must disable Tamper Protection from Windows Security settings.

Follow each given step to turn off Windows Defender permanently using Group Policy:

  1. Click the Windows Start button > then, type Windows Security > click on Windows Security under best match:
Open Windows Security app
  1. Click Virus & threat protection > click Manage Settings under Virus & threat protection settings:
Click manage settings under virus and threat protection
  1. Scroll down a bit and disable tamper protection:
Turn off tamper protection
  1. Now, click the Start button > type Edit Group Policy > Click on Edit Group Policy under best match:
Open Group Policy Editor
  1. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative templates > Windows Components:
Navigate to Windows Components
  1. In Windows Components, look for Microsoft Defender Antivirus from the list:
Open Microsoft Defender Antivirus
  1. Find and double-click on Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus file:
open turn off Microsoft defender file to permanently disable windows defender antivirus
  1. On the dialog box, select Enabled > click Apply > OK:
Enable turn off windows defender antivirus option
  1. Now, find and open Allow antimalware service to remain running always file:
Open allow antimalware service to remain running always
  1. On the dialog box, select Disabled > click Apply > OK:
disable allow antimalware service to remain running always
  1. Now, scroll up and open the Real-time Protection folder:
open real time protection folder
  1. Find and double-click on the Turn off real-time protection file:
Open turn off real time protection file
  1. On the dialog box, select Enabled > click Apply > OK:
disable turn off real time protection file

You can close the Edit Group Policy window. The modification in the local Group Policy Editor is completed. Now, we need to stop certain Windows Defender services from Task Scheduler to avoid any conflicts. Follow the steps to do so:

  1. Click the Start button > type Task Scheduler > Click on Task Scheduler under best match:
Open task scheduler app
  1. Navigate to Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows:
Navigate to Windows in Task Scheduler
  1. Scroll down to the end and click on Windows Defender settings from the list:
Navigate to Windows Defender

All the running services will appear in the right pane. We have to disable them to completely disable Windows Defender.

  1. To do so, select all these services > right-click on any service> select Disable:
Disable Windows Defender scheduled services

Finally, we need to update Group Policy manually to reflect the change. To do so:

  1. Press the Win+R keys together to open the Run dialog box
  1. Now, copy and paste the following command in the box and click OK:
gpupdate /force
Open run dialog box and type command
  1. Group policy will start updating. Once finished, it’ll show the success message:
Update Group Policy

This way you can permanently disable Microsoft Defender antivirus and it’ll not reactivate itself until you enable it yourself. You can check if Windows Defender Antivirus is disabled using the Windows Security app.

To turn Windows Defender on again, follow the same sequence of steps and change the settings to default.

5. Turn Off Windows Defender Using Third-Party Antivirus

Curious to know how to permanently disable Windows Defender by using third-party software?

In fact, there’s no need to follow a long and complicated process if you’re disabling Windows Defender just for the sake of installing any other anti-malware software. This is because Windows Defender will be automatically disabled when another antivirus protection software is installed.

Once you install any reliable antivirus program, Microsoft Defender antivirus will detect it and shut down its own services to ensure the new antivirus is the only one running on the system

For the sake of demonstration, I’ll install Bitdefender free antivirus. You can also download Bitdefender from their official webpage:

Download BitDefender Antivirus

Once downloaded, double-click on the setup file to install this antivirus:

Install BitDefender Antivirus to disable windows defender antivirus permanently

Now, Windows Defender will automatically detect this new antivirus software and disable itself permanently. This is the easiest way to get rid of Microsoft Defender for good.

To ensure Windows Defender is permanently disabled, you can navigate to Windows Security > virus & threat protection > Manage settings under the Virus & threat protection option.

Now, Microsoft Defender will keep its services stop until the already running antivirus is uninstalled or removed. There are various anti-malware software are available to choose from. Make sure to pick one from a reliable developer.

So, this is another way to permanently disable Windows Defender antivirus in Windows 10 and 11. It’s the best permanent solution to disable defender.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it Safe to Permanently Disable Windows Defender?

Yes, it’s safe to permanently disable Windows Defender as far as you’re using reliable third-party antivirus protection software. Otherwise, your computer will be exposed to potential threats and you will lose protection. Therefore, disable Windows Defender only if you have a trustworthy alternative.

Will disabling Windows Defender affect my computer’s performance?

It may negatively affect your computer’s performance if you disable Windows Defender. As it’s designed to scan and detect malicious software, and by disabling it, your computer will become more vulnerable to viruses and other malware, which can slow down your computer’s processing speed.

How do I know if Windows Defender is disabled?

To know if Windows Defender is disabled, search for Windows Security in the Windows search bar > Go to Virus & threats protection > Manage settings under Virus & threats protection. If you see a message saying “Your device may be vulnerable” or “Your device is being protected by another antivirus program,” then Windows Defender is disabled.

Can Windows Defender be uninstalled Completely?

No, Windows Defender can’t be uninstalled as it’s a built-in and core feature of Windows that provides essential security and protection to your computer. However, there are many ways to temporarily or permanently disable Microsoft Defender and tamper protection.

Why does Windows Defender keep turning on?

Windows Defender keeps running in the background to protect your computer from malware and other threats. It is set to start its services automatically when your computer starts, even after disabling it. Moreover, Task Scheduler schedules many Windows Defender services that cause it to turn back on even after it has been disabled manually.

Bottom Line

Regardless of the reason you want to disable Windows Defender permanently, you must have alternative antivirus protection in order to protect your PC from potential threats. Leaving your computer without any protection can compromise your sensitive data, especially while surfing the internet.

Also, wrong modifications in Registry Editor and Group Policy files can cause your system to malfunction. Therefore, every step has to be performed carefully in order to permanently disable Windows Defender.

You should temporarily disable Windows Defender by navigating to Windows Security app rather than permanently disabling it if you need to run a particular program that Windows Defender interferes with. After that, enable Microsoft Defender and tamper protection again to stay safe.

However, all these methods are tested and properly working, at the time of writing, to disable Windows Defender. If anything goes wrong with you while turning off defender antivirus protection, the comment section is available for you.

I hope this guide was helpful to you. If so, share it with others as well so that they can also take benefit from it.

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Muhammad Bilal
Muhammad Bilal

I'm Muhammad Bilal, founder of Tech Axen. Being a tech enthusiast, I enjoy sharing tech tips and tricks with others to assist them with their issues. For this purpose, I feed this blog with articles that provide useful information on technology.

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