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Three Methods to Disable Windows Defender in Windows 11

Three Methods to Disable Windows Defender in Windows 11

Windows Defender is a built-in security feature in Windows 11 that provides real-time protection against various threats, including viruses, malware, and spyware. While it is recommended to keep Windows Defender enabled to ensure the security of your system, there might be certain situations where you need to disable it temporarily or permanently. Here, we’ll explore three methods to disable Windows Defender in Windows 11.

1. Temporarily Disable Real-Time Protection

If you need to turn off Windows Defender temporarily, you can do so by following these steps:

  1. Open the Windows Security app.
  2. Click on “Virus & threat protection.”
  3. Under “Virus & threat protection settings,” click on “Manage settings.”
  4. Scroll down to the “Real-time protection” section and toggle the switch to “Off.”
  5. Click on “Yes” to confirm.

This will disable real-time protection provided by Windows Defender until you manually turn it back on.

2. Disable Windows Defender Using Group Policy Editor

If you want to permanently disable Windows Defender using the Group Policy Editor, follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type “gpedit.msc” and press Enter.
  3. In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to:
    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus
  4. Double-click on the policy named “Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus.”
  5. Select the “Enabled” option in the policy settings.
  6. Click on “Apply” and then “OK.”
  7. Restart your computer.

Following these steps will permanently disable Windows Defender on your Windows 11 system.

3. Disable Windows Defender Using the Registry Editor

To disable Windows Defender using the Registry Editor, proceed as follows:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type “regedit” and press Enter.
  3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
  4. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value named “DisableAntiSpyware.”
  5. Set the value of “DisableAntiSpyware” to 1.
  6. Close the Registry Editor.
  7. Restart your computer.

By completing these steps, Windows Defender will be effectively disabled.

Note: It’s essential to exercise caution when disabling Windows Defender, as doing so can leave your system vulnerable to malware and other security threats. Only disable Windows Defender if you have a trusted alternative antivirus program installed and running on your system.

Remember that maintaining robust security measures is crucial for the overall health and safety of your computer. Choose the method that best fits your needs and ensure that you have appropriate security measures in place to safeguard your system.

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