[DISCUSSION] Disabling Microsoft Defender Antivirus (formerly Windows Defender)

Discussion in 'Windows 11' started by Espionage724, Oct 29, 2021.

  1. TigTex

    TigTex MDL Senior Member

    Oct 5, 2009
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    I only want to permanently disable real-time protection and still have the ability to run on-demand scans
    In 24H2 this is still possible. Just disable tamper protection and add this entry to the registry

    Code:
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection]
    "DisableRealtimeMonitoring"=dword:00000001
     
  2. TesterMachineOS

    TesterMachineOS MDL Addicted

    Apr 20, 2021
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    Is there any way to disable the Windows Defender service offline?

    (I mean the WIM image has the service already disabled).
     
  3. migascalp

    migascalp MDL Senior Member

    Sep 18, 2009
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    Maybe?
     
  4. freddie-o

    freddie-o MDL Expert

    Jul 29, 2009
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    Maybe?
     
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  5. exitrade

    exitrade MDL Junior Member

    Jul 20, 2012
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    Sorry guys maybe it's out of topic, but does anyone know how to completely disable Windows Defender in Windows 24h2 version ?
    Everything is welcome from scripts, group policy or even better registry. Thanks.
     
  6. migascalp

    migascalp MDL Senior Member

    Sep 18, 2009
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    Maybe by following this path
     
  7. freddie-o

    freddie-o MDL Expert

    Jul 29, 2009
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    You have to be more specific.
     
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  8. RobrPatty

    RobrPatty MDL Expert

    Jul 23, 2009
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    This is how I remove defender in any OS.
     

    Attached Files:

  9. thePineapple

    thePineapple MDL Novice

    Sep 22, 2024
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  10. Dark Dinosaur

    Dark Dinosaur X Æ A-12

    Feb 2, 2011
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  11. thePineapple

    thePineapple MDL Novice

    Sep 22, 2024
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    I never said this should be used, please use this at your own risk. But I wanted to bring up such methods can be done to remove Defender. I personally use it one of my own devices and I never had an issue with it, I still use Malwarebytes to be safe.
     
  12. XtremeW33

    XtremeW33 MDL Novice

    May 2, 2012
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    I need to disable Real Time Protection. This is how it works for me:

    - Firstly, turn off Tamper Protection in GUI.
    - Use Group Policy Editor to turn off Real Time Protection.

    It turns out Defender more or less completely disabled permanently.
     
  13. TesterMachineOS

    TesterMachineOS MDL Addicted

    Apr 20, 2021
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    I am using this method to disable and enable defender.
    https://forums.mydigitallife.net/th...xxx-pc-co_release.83722/page-306#post-1697024

    Code:
    :Enable-Defender
    cls
    NSudoLC -U:T -P:E -Wait -ShowWindowMode:Hide Reg.exe add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection" /v "DisableRealtimeMonitoring" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
    NSudoLC -U:T -P:E -Wait -ShowWindowMode:Hide Reg.exe add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Features" /v "TamperProtection" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
    NSudoLC -U:T -P:E -Wait -ShowWindowMode:Hide reg delete "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /f >nul
    NSudoLC -U:T -P:E -Wait -ShowWindowMode:Hide sc config windefend start=demand
    sc start windefend
    echo.
    pause >nul
    exit
    
    :Disable-Defender
    cls
    NSudoLC -U:T -P:E -Wait -ShowWindowMode:Hide Reg.exe add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection" /v "DisableRealtimeMonitoring" /t REG_DWORD /d "1" /f
    NSudoLC -U:T -P:E -Wait -ShowWindowMode:Hide Reg.exe add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Features" /v "TamperProtection" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
    NSudoLC -U:T -P:E -Wait -ShowWindowMode:Hide powershell -command "& { Stop-Service -Name 'windefend' }"
    NSudoLC -U:T -P:E -Wait -ShowWindowMode:Hide sc config windefend start=disabled
    NSudoLC -U:T -P:E -Wait -ShowWindowMode:Hide reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /v "DisableAntiSpyware" /d 1 /t REG_DWORD /f >nul
    sc qc windefend
    echo.
    pause >nul
    exit
    
    In 23H2 it is applied for a few moments, but then it is activated again. Does anyone have any idea how to make it really DEACTIVATED when it is deactivated?
     
  14. TigTex

    TigTex MDL Senior Member

    Oct 5, 2009
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    Manually disable tamper protection and then add the "DisableRealtimeMonitoring" registry key. Don't change anything else and you should be fine.
    To enable the protection again, just press "enable protection"
     
  15. goodflood

    goodflood MDL Member

    Feb 16, 2011
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    #316 goodflood, Dec 2, 2024
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2024
    Hello!

    I used AVG long time ago.
    Then, added MSE to AVG.
    Then, switched to AVIRA.
    Then, switched to DEFENDER.

    Basically, went from 3rd party AV to MS AV.
    Don’t want cloud scanning, web traffic scanning, etc.
    It is switched off.

    You guys are talking about disabling and removing DEFENDER.
    So, which AV do you guys use/recommend?

    Thanks!
     
  16. vladnil

    vladnil MDL Senior Member

    Jan 19, 2019
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    Do not use any antivirus. To understand this you need to free yourself from the false narratives that TV and other sources have inspired in you. Use Pfsense (PfBlocker+ Snort) together with Pi-hole and you will be happy.
     
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  17. WinLTS

    WinLTS MDL Novice

    Dec 5, 2024
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    A few days ago, I needed to completely disable Microsoft Defender when cleaning my Windows 11 LTSC system logs (because Microsoft Defender backup files are not allowed to be deleted, even if Microsoft Defender is temporarily turned off)

    My method is to disable real-time scanning and tamper protection, then Group Policy -> Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Microsoft Defender Antivirus -> Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus to Enabled, and it was completely disabled after restarting the system.

    It may not be possible, that is because some Microsoft Defender services are still running, just manually disable them, and you may need to restart afterwards.

    For reactivating Microsoft Defender, simply modifying the Group Policy is not enough, because it will not start those Microsoft Defender services again, and they must be started manually.
     
  18. TairikuOkami

    TairikuOkami MDL Expert

    Mar 15, 2014
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    Actually Windows has remediation tasks to do just that, that is the reason windows update services starts even when disabled.
    I used to disable Defender just fine, but .2454 introduced some changes, like when I remove policies, Defender gets re-activated.
    I have to apply my disable defender bat after removing policies at shutdown to keep it disabled. MS loves to play cat & mouse game.
     
  19. dvdivx

    dvdivx MDL Novice

    May 16, 2012
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    Windows 11 IoT for a device that is not connected to the internet once installed except for occasional updates. I have it turned off in both GPEdit and in Registy as it keeps deleting a 3rd party program. How can I stop Windows defender from overriding both the registry and GPEdit? If I turn it off in GPEdit under "Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus" it changes the setting back to not configured instead of enabled. In the registry if "DisableAntiSpyware" is set to 1 it deletes the DWORD from HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindows Defender.