Is it ok to disable the Windows Security Service?

Discussion in 'Windows 10' started by Super Spartan, Feb 7, 2019.

  1. Super Spartan

    Super Spartan MDL Expert

    May 30, 2014
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    #1 Super Spartan, Feb 7, 2019
    I just noticed this service is running despite me having had disabled Windows Defender and all of its startup entries and disabling the Windows Security notification icon.

    Is it safe to disable this service if I am using a 3rd party AV (using Avast Antivirus Pro)?
     
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  2. boyonthebus

    boyonthebus MDL Expert

    Sep 16, 2018
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    #2 boyonthebus, Feb 7, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2019
    I have Defender removed from my install, and Windows Security Service is not present, so I would say it is safe to do so.

    Caveat: I am not running any other AV, so there could be an issue.
     
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  3. boyonthebus

    boyonthebus MDL Expert

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    #3 boyonthebus, Feb 7, 2019
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  4. Super Spartan

    Super Spartan MDL Expert

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    #4 Super Spartan, Feb 7, 2019 (OP)
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  5. PsychedelicShaman

    PsychedelicShaman MDL Member

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    #5 PsychedelicShaman, Feb 7, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2019
    It is perfectly safe to disable the service, i have it disabled on all of my machines and i use newest version of ESET Internet Security x64 as my AV. :)
    @boyonthebus The Start Menu icon will be gone if you remove SecHealthUI from the offline install.wim image via provisioned registry key, you can also use Optimize-Offline script to do that, i've done it with NTLite myself, i don't think it's possible to remove it from a live system.