Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender) is a place where you can access the capabilities of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. This means that you have full access rights to manage common security features on Windows PCs/laptops that Windows Defender offers . For example, real-time protection, prevention, detection and repair features.
Although Windows Security offers protection from various types of malware, in certain conditions this program often experiences errors. This is what makes Windows users reluctant to use it and want to disable it for some reason. Here are easy tips that can help you in disabling Windows Security.
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The reason why Windows Security needs to be disabled?
Sometimes Windows Security will get in your way while installing programs/applications. Why is that? Because there is a possibility that Windows Security treats applications from small developers as threats, so you can't install them smoothly. Therefore, you need to temporarily disable Windows Security, then turn it back on.
In addition, there are also those who argue that Windows Security cannot detect / handle virus attacks and too many pop-ups appear, so that many Windows users prefer third-party antivirus applications because of their maximum features and services. For certain Windows users, Windows Security is also considered to use excessive RAM and Processor resources , which may cause laptop performance to be slow .
However, there are a few things you need to consider before disabling Windows Security. If you turn it off, you must be prepared to take the risk that will follow. Here are some of the possible impacts.
- Viruses or malware more easily enter the PC / laptop, where the virus can change or even damage the core files contained in the Windows system.
- The level of risk of being exposed to phishing is greater, because important data is not properly protected.
- There is a possibility that some software cannot be run optimally.
If you really want to disable Windows Security for some reason, it would be better if you re-enable it. That way, your PC / laptop will remain safe from the threat of dangerous viruses / malware.
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Disabling Windows Security in Windows 10
There are several ways you can do to disable Windows Security on the Windows 10 operating system; start from the Settings menu, Group Policy Editor, and Registry Editor . Immediately, see and follow some of the following methods.
1. Disable it through the Settings menu
The first method you can do is to disable it via Windows 10 Settings. But this is only temporary, meaning this method is usually used if you want to download files or install applications. After you restart your PC / laptop , Windows Defender will automatically reactivate.
STEP 1: The first step, click the Start menu on the Windows 10 Taskbar . Then click the Settings menu » select the Update & Security option. Then click the Windows Security tab » in the “Protections areas” section, click Virus & threat protection .
STEP 2: If the “Windows Security” window appears, see the Virus & threat Protection settings section » then click Manage settings .
STEP 3: Next slide the On to Off toggle , to turn off all Windows Security service options. Starting from Real-time Protection , Cloud-delivered Protection and Automatic sample submission .
By following the steps above, Windows Security will be temporarily disabled. If you want to disable it permanently, you can follow the second method below.
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2. Use commands in CMD & PowerShell
CMD and PowerShell are command line interface programs provided by Microsoft for the purpose of task automation and configuration management. This means that with these two programs, it allows Windows users to change the system configuration with various commands; including disabling Windows Security. Although the two programs are similar, in terms of the command line, they are very different from each other. Follow these steps.
If using CMD
- Disable command
- Reactivate command
Just like through the Settings menu before, with this command you can only temporarily disable Windows Security. Windows Security will run again when you restart your PC/laptop.
- First, click the Start menu on the Taskbar.
- Next in the "Windows Search" field , type cmd .
- If so, right-click on Command Prompt » select Run as administrator .
- Next type the above command on demand » then press Enter to execute.
- Wait for the process for a while.
- Finished.
If running Windows PowerShell
- Disable command
Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $true
- Reactivate command
Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $false
- Permanently disable command
Uninstall-WindowsFeature -Name Windows-Defender
- First, press Windows + X » select the Windows PowerShell (Admin) option.
- If it's already open, copy-paste one of the commands above as desired » then press Enter .
- Wait for the process until the application is deleted.
- Finished.
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3. Disable via Group Policy Editor
Group Policy Editor is a feature provided by Windows, which serves to limit the features on each PC / laptop as desired. You can use this feature for various purposes, one of which is disabling Windows Defender. Follow these steps properly.
STEP 1: The first step, press Windows + R simultaneously on the keyboard to open the "Run" window. Then type gpedit.msc in the search field » press Enter/OK .
gpedit.msc
STEP 2: When the “ Local Group Policy Editor ” window appears, locate and access the following folders in order:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus
Next look at the right pane on “Microsoft Defender Antivirus ”. Double click on the Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus option.
STEP 3: Then a new dialog will appear, click the Enabled option from the list to disable it » click Apply » OK . After that restart the PC / laptop first to see the changes.
If you follow the steps above properly and correctly, your Windows Security will be permanently disabled. If you want to reactivate it, you just have to repeat the previous steps. Then change the option to Disabled or Not Configured » click Apply » OK .
4. Take advantage of the Registry Editor
The next option you can also use the Registry Editor. This is a feature where all Windows system settings and configurations are stored in a database . This means that you can change values or add values to disable Windows Defender. Make sure you follow the instructions below correctly and in order. This is important for you to do, because a little mistake that you make in the Registry Editor, will be fatal or even cause the operating system to become problematic. Here are the steps…
STEP 1: The first step, press Windows + R on the keyboard to access the “Run” dialog. Type regedit in the search field » press Enter/OK .
regedit
1. Access the Registry Editor feature. REVELATION OF FAITHFUL NCO
STEP 2: If the Registry Editor appears, access the Windows Defender folder or copy-paste its location below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
When you find it, right- click Windows Defender » select New » click DWORD (32-bit) Value . Then name it “D isableAntiSpyware ” » press Enter .
STEP 3: Next double click on the “DisableAntiSpyware” configuration. If so, change the Value data to 1 » click OK. After that restart the device to see if it works or not.
If you want to reactivate it, you just need to change the Value data above to 0 » click OK . Then restart the device first.
5. Disable by installing another antivirus
And the last option you can do is to install a third-party antivirus application on your PC/laptop. Why is that? Because when you install an antivirus application, Windows Defender will automatically be disabled to prevent conflicts and performance problems. This has been done by Windows since 2018, with a note that third-party antiviruses are registered and follow Microsoft's terms and conditions.
Currently there are lots of antivirus other than Windows Defender that you can choose, for computer protection from virus/malware attacks; such as AVG, Avira, McAfee, Essential, and so on. But if you ask, how do I activate Windows Defender again? The answer is very easy, you can delete the antivirus application that you installed .
- First, click Start menu » select Settings .
- If so, click Apps » select the Apps & features tab.
- Then click the antivirus application you want to remove » Uninstall .
- Follow the given process.
- Finished.
In terms of function and role, Windows Security provides protection for your PC / laptop from the threat of various types of malware. But the presence of this program is even considered a nuisance for some Windows users. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are Windows users who do not choose Windows Security as the main antivirus on their devices.
Is it necessary to disable Windows Security?
Under certain conditions you will disable it. For example, when you want to install an application that is detected as a threat by Windows Security, even though the application is downloaded from the official site and is safe to use.
Why can't Windows Security be turned off?
This often arises because Windows Security is indeed problematic and usually occurs when there is a failure after a Windows update.
What causes Windows Security can't be opened?
It is possible that this problem is caused by a problematic Windows system. In addition, service crashes and third-party antivirus applications can also trigger this problem to occur.
What are the risks when disabling Windows Security?
What is certain is that your PC / laptop does not get protection from the threat of viruses / malware. But you don't need to worry about this if you have installed a third-party antivirus application.
If you have any questions or opinions that you need to share, please write them in the comments column below. Thank you and good luck!
