Windows Defender: Can you run alongside another anti-virus?

In Windows Defender on Windows 7/8/8.1, I used to be able to go into the program's administrator settings and turn off the program. I would then install my anti-virus of choice, which is usually the latest Kaspersky Internet Security client.

However, it appears as though you cannot fully disable Windows Defender. It will eventually turn itself back on...what a great feature! (sarcasm).

So, when I check my security settings in Control Panel, I will see both Kaspersky and Windows Defender active, with that special warning telling me that running two anti-virus programs simultaneously could cause issues. I understand this, which is why I want to disable the piece of garbage Windows Defender.

So, my question is....is Windows Defender designed to run alongside 3rd party anti-viruses now? Is that why they don't give you a way to fully disable it?...because it's not necessary? Or, is this some push to get me to use crappy security software that will do minimal to protect my PC?

Now, I did find the registry key to disable Windows Defender permanently. So, I did do that.

But, you'd have to think that the average consumer isn't going to be editing the registry. Did Microsoft not expect users to install other anti-virus software? Something doesn't seem right here.

Let me know if I'm missing something.

Thanks for the help!

 

Thank you for the reply. I did disable Windows Defender via Registry Key already. So, there's no problem disabling it by editing the registry. My question is, why do I have to do that? If running two anti-viruses at the same time is counter-productive, why would Microsoft make it so that you can't fully disable Windows Defender via options? Not everyone wants to use that program. So, if you purchase a third party anti-virus, you'll be using two anti-viruses essentially. Windows Defender, and 3rd party program.

The average person isn't going to go into the registry to disable Windows Defender.