How to Disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus Permanently
- Open Start and search for gpedit.
- Browse to:
Double-click the Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus policy. - Select the Enabled option to disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus permanently on Windows 10.
- Click Apply and then OK.
- Restart your computer.
How to Find if Windows Firewall has Blocked a Program
- Launch Windows Security on your PC.
- Go to Firewall & network protection.
- Click Allow an app or feature through Firewall in the left panel.
- You will see the list of allowed and blocked programs by Windows Firewall.
How to Disable Windows Defender in the Windows Registry
- Open the Registry Editor.
- Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender. - Right-click in the empty area in the right pane, then click New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Enter DisableAntiSpyware and press Enter.
Is Windows Defender Good Enough?
Microsoft’s Defender is effective at detecting malware, blocking exploits, flagging phishing sites, and offering parental controls with content filtering, usage limitations, and location tracking.
How to Unblock an Antivirus App
- Click Start and type Firewall.
- Select Windows Defender Firewall.
- Choose Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall in the left panel.
How to Turn On Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows 10
- Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
- Select Manage settings and switch Real-time protection to On.
How to Check If Your Computer Has a Virus
If you notice slow performance, problems shutting down, missing files, system crashes, error messages, or unexpected pop-ups, your computer may be infected with a virus.