How to Disable/Enable Microsoft Defender in Windows 11 PC

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Check How to Disable/Enable Microsoft Defender in Windows 11 PC

Windows Defender, now renamed Microsoft Defender, is a built-in antivirus program designed to protect your PC from malware attacks. But as good as the security program is, the app is not without its drawbacks. With that in mind, disabling Microsoft Defender seems like a viable option for many people. However, before we start disabling Defender right away, we first need to make sure that it’s actually safe to do so.

For example, if you plan to install a better antivirus with more features and detailed protection options, and you don’t want Microsoft Defender to consume your CPU and battery in the background, you should probably disable it. Also, if you use a third-party antivirus program while Defender is enabled, you may experience problems or conflicts with it.

Another reason could be that Microsoft Defender is blocking the installation of a third-party software or app when you try to install it. Furthermore, it consumes a significant amount of device resources, from CPU to hard drive space and RAM memory. If you don’t connect your Windows 11 PC to the Internet, there is no risk to disable Windows Defender to save system resources.

How to disable/enable Microsoft Defender on Windows 11 PC

Disable Microsoft Defender from Windows 11 settings (temporary)

  • Open the Settings app using the Windows 11 keyboard shortcut “Win+I” and switch to the “Privacy & Security” tab on the left sidebar. In the “Security” section, click “Windows Security.”
  • Then click “Open Windows Security”. Your Windows 11 PC will open the Windows Security app in a dedicated window.
  • You will now see the Windows Security home screen. Here, click on the “Virus and threat protection” option.
  • In the “Virus & threat protection settings” section, click “Manage settings” to reconfigure Windows Defender in Windows 11.
  • Now, disable “Real-time protection” and other options on this page to temporarily disable Windows Defender on your Windows 11 PC.

Disable Microsoft Defender via Group Policy Editor in Windows 11 (permanent)

  • Before you start, you need to disable the “Tamper Protection” of the Windows Security app. You can follow the steps outlined above to get to this switch. As a reminder, you’ll find this option in Windows Security -> Virus & threat protection -> Manage settings.
  • Having disabled tamper protection, open a Run window using the keyboard shortcut “Win+R” and type “gpedit.msc” to open the Group Policy Editor.
  • Navigate to the following path and double click “Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus” on the right pane.
    • Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus
  • In the next pop-up window, select “Enabled” and click “OK” to apply the changes. Once done, restart your Windows 11 PC. Windows Defender will no longer run after a system restart. To re-enable Defender via Group Policy Editor, you need to choose “Disabled” and press “OK”.

Re-enable Microsoft Defender on your Windows 11 PC

If you’re interested in learning how to re-enable Microsoft Defender on your Windows 11 computer, here’s how you can do it:

  • Open the Settings app using the Windows 11 keyboard shortcut “Win+I” and click the “Privacy and Security” tab on the left sidebar. Now, select “Windows Security” under the “Security” section.
  • When the Windows Security page appears, click the “Open Windows Security” button. The Windows Security app will now open in a dedicated window.
  • You will now see the Windows Security home screen. Here, click on the “Virus and threat protection” section.
  • In the “Virus & threat protection settings” section, click “Manage settings” to re-enable Windows Defender in Windows 11.
  • Now, enable the “Real-time Protection” option along with other options on this page to get Windows Defender protection back on your Windows 11 PC.

Final remarks: How to Disable/Enable Microsoft Defender in Windows 11 PC

I hope you understand this article, How to Disable/Enable Microsoft Defender in Windows 11 PC. If your answer is no, you can ask anything via the contact forum section related to this article. And if your answer is yes, please share this article with your friends and family to give us your support.

James Hogan
James Hogan
James Hogan is a notable content writer recognized for his contributions to Bollyinside, where he excels in crafting informative comparison-based articles on topics like laptops, phones, and software. When he's not writing, James enjoys immersing himself in football matches and exploring the digital realm. His curiosity about the ever-evolving tech landscape drives his continuous quest for knowledge, ensuring his content remains fresh and relevant.

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