How To Disable Windows Defender Updated May 2026

Switch Real-time protection to Off . Select "Yes" if a User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears.

You must first disable Tamper Protection in the Windows Security settings (see Method 1, step 3) or this policy will be ignored. Disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows 11 Safely how to disable windows defender

For users on Windows Pro or Enterprise, the Local Group Policy Editor provides a way to disable Defender until you manually turn it back on. Switch Real-time protection to Off

Click on Virus & threat protection and then select Manage settings under the "Virus & threat protection settings" section. how to disable windows defender

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