How to disable windows defender on Windows 11?

Windows 11/10 Home editions don't provide Group Policy Editor by default, limiting your options. However, Registry Editor still works.

You might see a message like "Your virus & threat protection is managed by your organization". This happens if

Your PC is joined to a domain or an admin or third-party security software has locked Defender settings

For this case, you can use this trick to disable or turn off Windows Defender antivirus:

Step 1: Open Registry Editor

Step 2: Check for settings under:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

Step 3: Delete any values like DisableAntiSpyware or AllowAntiSpyware.

This will let you disable Windows Defender service on any Windows 11 or Windows 10 devices.

Microsoft intentionally makes its difficult to disable Windows Defender to ensure the Windows system remains protected against malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats. In the past, users could easily disable antivirus software, which left many systems vulnerable—especially for less tech-savvy users who didn’t realize the risks.

By requiring multiple steps, like turning off Tamper Protection or modifying Group Policy or the Registry, Microsoft aims to prevent accidental or unauthorized changes that could compromise system security.

Furthermore, with increasing threats and more sophisticated malware, Microsoft wants to maintain a baseline level of protection for all Windows users. Windows Defender is deeply integrated into the Windows operating system and is designed to re-enable itself automatically if disabled improperly.

This approach helps reduce infections and data breaches, especially on systems without third-party antivirus software. While this can be frustrating for power users who prefer full control, the overall design prioritizes safety and security for the broader user base.

Be careful before you decided to turn off Windows Defender Antivirus on your PC!

If you can't turn off Windows Defender (also known as Microsoft Defender Antivirus) on your PC, it’s likely due to one or more of the following reasons:

Tamper Protection is Enabled
Tamper Protection prevents unauthorized changes to Windows Security settings, including turning off Defender.

Fix:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection
2. Click Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings
3. Scroll down and turn off Tamper Protection

Group Policy or Registry Lock
In some cases, Group Policy or Registry settings enforce that Defender stays on.

1. Fix via Group Policy (Windows Pro only):
2. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter
3. Go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus
4. Set "Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus" to Enabled. This will turn off Windows Defender.
5. Restart your PC

The above are two effective ways to help you disable Windows Defender on Windows 11/10. Please go and try out yourself!

From what I’ve seen and experienced myself, disabling Windows Defender on Windows 11 can be a bit risky if you’re not careful. Defender is basically your built-in shield that helps block malware, viruses, and other nasty stuff. If you turn it off, your PC is more vulnerable unless you’ve got another solid security solution in place.

In my own past tinkering, I’ve turned off Defender temporarily when I was installing certain software or troubleshooting issues. But I always made sure to turn it back on afterward. Leaving it disabled for long periods isn’t usually a good idea unless you’re using a trusted third-party antivirus that you’re confident in.

There’s potential danger if you disable Windows defender on Windows 11 and don’t have another security measure. So, only do it if you know what you’re doing, or you’re switching to a different antivirus. Otherwise, it’s safer to leave Defender enabled.

How to disable windows defender on Windows computer? Why not use Group Policy Editor?
1. Open Group Policy Editor:
Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to Defender Settings:
Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus.

3. Disable Defender:
Double-click Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus. Set it to Enabled. Click Apply, then OK.

4. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

Note: This policy disables Microsoft Defender permanently until changed again.

Another way to disable Windows defender on Windows 11: Registry Editor

1. Open Registry Editor:
Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to the Defender key:
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

3. Create or modify DWORD:
Find or create a DWORD value named DisableAntiSpyware.
Set its value to 1 to disable Defender.

4. Restart your PC.

Warning: Modifying system policies and registry can cause system instability if done incorrectly. Proceed carefully, and back up your registry before making changes.

Disabling Windows Defender can be done through several methods. Keep in mind that turning off antivirus protection may make your system vulnerable to threats, so proceed with caution and only disable it if necessary for troubleshooting or other legitimate reasons.

Note: In Windows 10 and Windows 11, some options to disable Defender are restricted by system policies, especially on Windows 10 Home edition. If you need to disable it permanently, you might need to use Group Policy Editor or Registry Editor, which are advanced tools.

Disable Windows defender on Windows 11 via Windows Security Settings
1. Open Windows Security:
* Press Windows + I to open Settings.
* Click on Privacy & Security (Windows 11) or Update & Security (Windows 10).
* Select Windows Security.
* Click Open Windows Security.

2. Navigate to Virus & Threat Protection:
* Click on Virus & Threat Protection.

3. Manage Settings:
* Under Virus & Threat Protection Settings, click Manage Settings.

4. Turn Off Real-time Protection:
* Toggle Real-time protection to Off.
* Confirm any prompts that appear.

Note: This disables real-time scanning temporarily. Windows Defender may turn it back on after a while or after a restart.