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10 Tech How-To

How to Turn Windows Defender On or Off

Guide 10-16567 · Updated · Step by step

This guide shows you how to enable or disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus (the built-in protection in Windows 10 and 11). You’ll learn the exact steps for both permanent toggles and temporary real-time protection switches, plus what to do when the settings are grayed out or controlled by group policy. No admin rights? You’ll need them for most methods, so log in with an administrator account first.

What You’ll Need

  • A Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC
  • An administrator account (the built-in Administrator account works too)
  • If you plan to use Group Policy or Registry Editor, those tools are built into Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions — they are not available on Windows Home
  • A third-party antivirus installed if you want to permanently disable Defender (Windows will usually turn Defender off automatically when it detects another AV)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Turn Off Real-Time Protection (Temporary)

  1. Click the Start button and type Windows Security. Open the app.
  2. Click Virus & threat protection in the left sidebar (or on the main tile).
  3. Under the Virus & threat protection settings section, click Manage settings.
  4. Toggle Real-time protection to Off. If User Account Control prompts, click Yes.
  5. Note: Windows will automatically turn this back on after a short time (usually about 15 minutes) or after a restart. This is by design to keep you safe.

Method 2: Turn Off Windows Defender Permanently (via Group Policy)

  1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. (Not available on Windows Home.)
  2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
  3. Double-click Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
  4. Select Enabled, then click OK.
  5. Restart your PC. Defender will now stay off until you change this setting back to Not Configured or Disabled.

Method 3: Turn Off Windows Defender Permanently (via Registry)

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
  3. If the Windows Defender key doesn’t exist, right-click on Microsoft, choose New > Key, and name it Windows Defender.
  4. Right-click in the right pane, choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it DisableAntiSpyware.
  5. Double-click the new value, set it to 1, and click OK.
  6. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Method 4: Turn Defender Back On

  1. If you used the temporary method, just toggle Real-time protection back to On in Windows Security.
  2. If you used Group Policy, go back to the same policy and set it to Not Configured or Disabled, then restart.
  3. If you used the Registry, set DisableAntiSpyware to 0 (or delete the value), then restart.

Common Mistakes

  • Using Windows Home for Group Policy/Registry: Windows Home doesn’t include gpedit.msc, and the registry method may be ignored. Stick to the temporary toggle or upgrade to Pro.
  • Expecting the toggle to stay off: Real-time protection is designed to turn itself back on. If you need it off permanently, use Group Policy or Registry.
  • Forgetting to restart: Group Policy and Registry changes often require a reboot to take effect.
  • Disabling Defender without another antivirus: This leaves your PC unprotected. Install a trusted third-party AV first, or keep Defender on.
  • Editing the wrong registry key: The correct path is under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft, not HKEY_CURRENT_USER.

Tips

  • Before turning off Defender, run a full scan to make sure your system is clean.
  • If you’re installing a third-party antivirus, you usually don’t need to manually disable Defender — Windows will detect the new AV and turn off its own real-time protection automatically.
  • Use the temporary toggle for short tasks like installing software that conflicts with Defender, then turn it back on immediately.
  • Keep Cloud-delivered protection and Automatic sample submission on even if you disable real-time protection — they add an extra layer without interfering.
  • If you’re troubleshooting, try the temporary toggle first before making permanent changes.

Troubleshooting

  • The toggle is grayed out: This usually means a group policy or registry setting is already forcing Defender off. Check the Group Policy and Registry paths above and set them to Not Configured or 0.
  • Defender turns back on immediately: This is normal for the temporary toggle. If you want it off permanently, use Method 2 or 3.
  • Group Policy says “Not Configured” but Defender is still off: Another policy might be overriding. Check Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus > Real-time Protection and ensure all policies there are set to Not Configured.
  • Registry edit doesn’t work: On newer Windows 10/11 versions, the DisableAntiSpyware registry value is ignored. Use Group Policy instead, or rely on the temporary toggle.
  • Can’t find Windows Security app: Search for it in Start, or open Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security.
  • After re-enabling, Defender won’t start: Restart your PC, then open Windows Security and check for updates under Virus & threat protection updates. If it still fails, run the built-in troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Windows Update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to turn off Windows Defender?

Only temporarily and only if you have another antivirus running. Without any protection, your PC is vulnerable to malware, ransomware, and phishing. If you must disable it, do it for a short time and re-enable as soon as possible.

Why does Windows Defender turn itself back on?

Microsoft designed it this way to prevent users from accidentally leaving their PC unprotected. The real-time protection toggle is meant for short-term use, not permanent disabling. For permanent changes, you need Group Policy or Registry edits.

Can I turn off Windows Defender on Windows Home?

You can only use the temporary toggle. Group Policy is not available, and the registry method is often ignored on Home. If you need permanent control, consider upgrading to Windows Pro.

Will Windows Defender conflict with my third-party antivirus?

No. When you install a third-party antivirus, Windows automatically disables its own real-time protection to avoid conflicts. You don’t need to manually turn off Defender.

How do I know if Windows Defender is actually off?

Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection. If you see a green shield with a checkmark, it’s on. If you see a yellow or red warning, it’s off or needs attention. You can also check the Protection history for events.

What if I can’t turn it back on?

First, restart your PC. Then check Group Policy and Registry settings to make sure they’re not forcing it off. If you still have issues, run the Windows Security troubleshooter or use System File Checker (sfc /scannow) in an elevated command prompt.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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