Quick Answer: How to Stop Windows Defender?

Method 1 Turning Off Windows Defender

• Open Start. .
• Open Settings. .
• Click. Update & Security.
• Click Windows Security. This tab is in the upper-left side of the window.
• Click Virus & threat protection.
• Click Virus & threat protection settings.
• Disable Windows Defender’s real-time scanning.

Bonus: How to disable Windows Defender using the Settings app

• Open Settings.
• Click on Update & security.
• Click on Windows Defender.
• Turn off the toggle switch for Real-time protection.

Windows Defender will appear as the first result in the search:

• Run it and switch to the Settings tab. In the left pane, you will see the ‘Administrator’ item. Click it.
• That’s it. Windows Defender will be disabled.
• Click the ‘Turn on now’ button to enable Windows Defender again.

In the case that you’re simply looking to disable the Windows Defender Antivirus temporarily, then you can use these steps instead:

• Open Windows Defender Security Center.
• Click on Virus & threat protection.
• Click the Virus & threat protection settings option.
• Turn off the Real-time protection toggle switch.

To turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off, select the Start button, and then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection. Choose a network profile, and then under Windows Defender Firewall, switch the setting to On or Off.

How do I disable Windows Defender in Windows 10?

How to Turn Off Windows Defender in Windows 10

1. Step 1: Click “Settings” in the “Start Menu”.
2. Step 2: Select “Windows Security” from the left pane and choose “Open Windows Defender Security Center”.
3. Step 3: Open Windows Defender’s settings, and then click on the “Virus & Threat Protection settings” link.

Should I disable Windows Defender?

When you install another antivirus, Windows Defender should automatically be disabled: Open Windows Defender Security Center, then select Virus & threat protection > Threat settings. Turn off Real-time protection.