How to Disable Annoying Windows Defender Notifications on Windows 10

Windows Defender is the default virus protection solution on Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system. By default, it's enabled unless users opt for third-party antivirus software. Notably, users can utilize Windows Defender offline in Windows 10, allowing for offline virus and malware scans with subsequent internet updates.

If your computer doesn't recognize new antivirus software, you'll consistently receive notifications regarding blocked and removed viruses and malware from Windows Defender.

So how can users turn off Windows Defender notifications? Here's a detailed guide with various methods to help you disable Windows Defender notifications in real-time.

How to Disable Windows Defender Notifications on Windows 10

Windows Defender automatically displays notifications of events on the screen. Not stopping there, the latest version of Windows Defender also features 'enhanced notifications,' which notify about less significant events, such as completed virus scans or deletions. These notifications inadvertently cause annoyance to many users who wish to turn them off.

However, you can easily activate or deactivate this notification feature of Windows Defender.

1. Method 1: Using Settings

Step 1: Press the Windows  + I key combination to open the Settings app on your desktop.

Step 2: Select Update & Security and then navigate to Windows Defender.

Step 3: Scroll down to find the Enhanced notifications preference section. Use the toggle button to switch it on/off.

2. Method 2: Using Group Policy (applies to Windows 10 Pro)

The Group Policy tool helps you better control Windows Defender notifications and some of its features. Note that Group Policy is limited to Windows 10 Pro edition. This means Windows 10 Home users won't be able to perform this method.

Step 1: Press the Windows key > type gpedit.msc and press Enter.

Step 2: Within Computer Configuration, select Administrative Templates.

Step 3: Continue by selecting Windows Components > Windows Defender > Client Interface.

If you activate 'suppress all notifications', notifications such as important events, blocked downloads, or file deletions will no longer appear on your computer screen.

3. Method 3: Using Windows Registry

You can also disable Windows Defender notifications by using the Windows Registry. This method is essentially similar to method 2.

Step 1: Press the Windows key > type regedit.exe and press Enter. Alternatively, you can also press the Windows + R combination and type Regedit.exe.

Step 2: Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows DefenderUX

Alternatively, you can also press the Ctrl + F key combination and paste the above path to search.

Step 3: If the path does not exist, create it by right-clicking on the root folder and selecting New > Key.

Step 4: Right-click and select UX Configuration, then choose New > Dword (32-bit) Value.

Step 5: Name it Dword Notification_Suppress.

Step 6: Double-click and set the value to 1.

Once completed, you'll be able to block notifications from Windows Defender on Windows 10.

While Windows Defender is a fairly effective virus scanner and remover by Microsoft, unfortunately, not many people pay attention to and use this software. Therefore, Windows 10 users often opt for third-party antivirus software like Bitdefender Total Security or Avast Free Antivirus.

To effectively utilize this integrated tool on Windows 10, users can learn how to manage Microsoft Windows Defender notifications on Windows 10 more efficiently. Because notifications from Windows Defender on the computer often make users quite annoyed.

However, even if you want to use other antivirus software like Avast Free Antivirus, you still have to turn off Windows Defender on Windows 10 before installing other software. Note that to turn off Windows Defender on Windows 10, you will need to make settings in the system settings. The operations may be quite complex, but if you follow the instructions correctly, you will successfully turn it off.

When it comes to disabling Windows Defender on Windows 11, you can easily turn it off by referring to the following article.

Read more: How to Disable Windows Defender on Windows 11