Windows Defender is Microsoft's pre-installed antivirus program on Windows 10, designed to protect your computer from virus attacks, spyware, and various malicious code. Despite its functionality, many users dislike using this software and seek ways to disable Windows Defender. To learn how to disable Windows Defender on Win 10, follow the Mytour article below!
There are numerous ways to quickly disable Windows Defender, and using the Registry on Windows 10 is one of them. However, readers should note that if they decide to disable Windows Defender via the Registry or any other method, it will compromise their computer's security.
Therefore, once you decide to disable Windows Defender, it's advisable to have a backup security solution, such as AVG, Kaspersky, or download Avira, for instance. Once you have it, follow the steps below to disable Windows Defender via Registry on Windows 10.
How to Disable Windows Defender via Registry on Windows 10
Step 1: To disable Windows Defender via the Registry, first, press the Windows + R key combination. In the Run dialog that appears, type 'regedit ' and press Enter.
Regedit command helps us access the Registry Editor, a tool that aids users in fine-tuning settings within the system.
Step 2: If the system prompts for confirmation to access the Registry Editor, select Yes.
Step 3: After opening the Registry Editor, navigate through the folders using the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows Defender .
Our stopping point is the Windows Defender folder.
Step 4: Here, look to the left window, and you'll find an entry named DisableAntiSpyware . Double-click on it.
Note: In some instances, readers may wonder if there is no DisableAntiSpyware entry. In such cases, you can also create the DisableAntiSpyware file by right-clicking in the empty area, selecting New > Dword (32bit) > and entering the file name as DisableAntiSpyware.
Step 5: Here, double-click on DisableAntiSpyware and set the value data to 1.
After confirming the above step, exit the Registry Editor.
Step 6: To check if disabling Windows Defender via Registry on Windows 10 was successful, open the Start Menu and search for 'Windows Defender '.
Click on the found result, which is the Windows Defender Security Center.
Step 7: Immediately, you will notice that the Windows Defender Security Center section has been completely disabled.
Please note that our article on disabling Windows Defender via Registry is applied to Windows 10 Creators Update, but it still works on Windows 10 with similar steps.
So, our readers have just learned another method to disable Windows Defender via Registry on Windows 10, including Windows 10 Creators Update. According to recent expert reviews across versions, Windows Defender is continuously improving. Therefore, Mytour advises against disabling Windows Defender on your computer, especially in the current widespread virus situation. Using Windows Defender is a free and effective solution.
Furthermore, updating to Windows 10 Creators Update significantly enhances the security of your operating system. If you're dissatisfied with your current Windows 10 experience, perform the Windows 10 Creators Update to enjoy the latest and best features.
The above method applies to Windows 10. If you're using Windows 8, 8.1, or Windows 11, refer to how to enable or disable Windows Defender on Windows 11, 8, 8 ... to download and install some software falsely flagged as viruses or malware. Enabling or disabling Windows Defender on Windows 8, 11 is straightforward and not challenging at all.
- See more: How to disable Windows Defender Windows 11
Windows Defender is not a tool everyone wants to use. Disabling Windows Defender via Registry on Windows 10 happens quite frequently, as discussed in this article.
For Windows 7, Windows Defender seems to bring about many troubles. Therefore, many users want to remove Windows Defender from their computers. Tips on uninstalling Windows Defender on Win 7 will help you achieve this. Best of luck in your endeavors!