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

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

  1. JLBENEDICT

    JLBENEDICT MDL Junior Member

    Dec 5, 2013
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    this was how I "embraced" Defender and stopped fighting it... added all my "important" folder locations, including network shares to the exclusions .. simple solution and has worked so far.
     
  2. Dark Dinosaur

    Dark Dinosaur X Æ A-12

    Feb 2, 2011
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    I remove it - now system work very very good
     
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  3. Mr.X

    Mr.X MDL Guru

    Jul 14, 2013
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    What you did to remove it?
     
  4. Dark Dinosaur

    Dark Dinosaur X Æ A-12

    Feb 2, 2011
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  5. Hunterrules0_0

    Hunterrules0_0 MDL Member

    Nov 27, 2021
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    Windows defender isnt that bad infact the German independent research institute in 2019 ranked it as one of the best antiviruses. It was s**t at first but I believe it has improved
     
  6. Mr.X

    Mr.X MDL Guru

    Jul 14, 2013
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    Yeah improvements related with detection of ALL KMS tools or activators from MDL as malware :crap:
     
  7. Dark Dinosaur

    Dark Dinosaur X Æ A-12

    Feb 2, 2011
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    #47 Dark Dinosaur, Mar 12, 2022
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2022
    Proof it's a s**t
    Install latest insiders build
    Run my script
    Poof it's removed forever
    you will not find his Folders
    Tried yesterday
     
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  8. Espionage724

    Espionage724 MDL Expert

    Nov 7, 2009
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    It seems relatively recently this no longer works. The WinDefend service stays enabled and on even when going through NSudo.
     
  9. vladnil

    vladnil MDL Senior Member

    Jan 19, 2019
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    DELL CMD
    reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer" /v SmartScreenEnabled /t REG_SZ /d "Off" /f
    reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppHost" /v "EnableWebContentEvaluation" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
    reg add "HKCU\Software\Classes\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppContainer\Storage\microsoft.microsoftedge_8wekyb3d8bbwe\MicrosoftEdge\PhishingFilter" /v "EnabledV9" /t REG_DWORD /d "0" /f
    reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /v DisableAntiSpyware /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
    reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Spynet" /v SpyNetReporting /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
    reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Spynet" /v SubmitSamplesConsent /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
    reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Spynet" /v DontReportInfectionInformation /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
    reg delete "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Sense" /f
    reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MRT" /v "DontReportInfectionInformation" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
    reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MRT" /v "DontOfferThroughWUAU" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
    reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" /v "SecurityHealth" /f
    reg delete "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartupApproved\Run" /v "SecurityHealth" /f
    reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\SecHealthUI.exe" /v Debugger /t REG_SZ /d "%windir%\System32\taskkill.exe" /f
    install_wim_tweak /o /c Windows-Defender /r
    reg add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Notifications\Settings\Windows.SystemToast.SecurityAndMaintenance" /v "Enabled" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
    reg delete "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SecurityHealthService" /f

    Reboot
    Log in from the CD boot
    Delete the folders completely
    C:\Program Files\Windows Defender
    C:\Program Files\Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection
    C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender
    C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection

    Rejoice.
     
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  10. Espionage724

    Espionage724 MDL Expert

    Nov 7, 2009
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    It seems disabling the service through registry through NSudo works, but I saw the service switch to Manual on next boot. So a solution to that could be to have a batch file set the registry setting each boot. I haven't tested long enough to be sure this keeps Defender off though.

    Code:
    NSudoLC -U:T -P:E -Wait -ShowWindowMode:Hide reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDefend" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
    Full batch file:

    Code:
    pushd "%~dp0"
    NSudoLC -U:T -P:E -Wait -ShowWindowMode:Hide powershell -command "& { Stop-Service -Name 'windefend' }"
    NSudoLC -U:T -P:E -Wait -ShowWindowMode:Hide reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /v "DisableAntiSpyware" /t "REG_DWORD" /d "1" /f
    NSudoLC -U:T -P:E -Wait -ShowWindowMode:Hide reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDefend" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
    sc qc "WinDefend"
    pause
    
     
  11. Dark Dinosaur

    Dark Dinosaur X Æ A-12

    Feb 2, 2011
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    I disable the services -
    They are still disabled (even today)
     
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  12. acer-5100

    acer-5100 MDL Guru

    Dec 8, 2018
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    winaerotweaker has the option to disable defender since the stone age.

    It's a one click operation with older win 10 builds (or win8.x), it's a 3/4 clicks operation with newer win10 builds and win 11.

    It never failed to me (although I prefer to remove the packages using dism).
     
  13. Espionage724

    Espionage724 MDL Expert

    Nov 7, 2009
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    Did you install KB5015882? It's a CU Preview.

    What exactly does it do? I need it to be non-invasive (no deleting of anything), and ideally I'd like to be able to manually undo it or parts of it later if-needed.
     
  14. acer-5100

    acer-5100 MDL Guru

    Dec 8, 2018
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    I'm the kind of (nowadays rare) users who actually read the question before providing an answer, and I would prefer if my answer would be read as well before asking again.

    In short it does exactly what you asked. (+ a bunch of other indispensable tweaks, obviously all optional)
     
  15. Dark Dinosaur

    Dark Dinosaur X Æ A-12

    Feb 2, 2011
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    I think I installed it ..
     
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  16. enginuity

    enginuity MDL Novice

    Apr 25, 2015
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    Is there a permanent way to disable Windows 11 Defender, not using group policy? I try to kill the services by running services.msc through PowerRun but it won't change to disabled. I already have the registry fix that turns off real time scanning, but I want to completely disable it.

    TIA
     
  17. Dark Dinosaur

    Dark Dinosaur X Æ A-12

    Feb 2, 2011
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    Sorry for you
    It's necessary system service
    And if you still do this, Wu could fail
    Install some updates
     
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  18. berr1sfueller

    berr1sfueller MDL Senior Member

    Nov 17, 2022
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    I don't think it can be removed live. Get the exact name of the defender component packages, then boot up a WinPE USB and permenently remove them using DISM.
     
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  19. test10

    test10 MDL Novice

    Apr 13, 2015
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    #59 test10, Nov 17, 2022
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2022
    use something like Hiren’s BootCD to boot up your PC
    Then browse to both Program files folders and delete the defender folders
    Then go into programdata\microsoft and delete the defender folders in there
    Be sure to empty the recycle bin and reboot.

    Windows update will occasionally repair these deletions
    so have look after running windows update
     
    can be removed via boot PE then use msmg toolkit helper on installed image at c:\.
    anything can be done on live scenario too but need more brain to execute how & from where | why.