Windows Defender Antivirus is disabled when your antivirus takes over if you have a third-party antivirus. Windows Defender Antivirus will be your default antivirus if you don't already have one. If you only need to disable Defender temporarily, see this tutorial. Even if you could disable Windows Security, everything will break. Windows Security can not be disabled because it is an entire security suite heavily embedded into Windows, including account protection, firewall, app & browser control, device security, device performance, health, and family options. We're often asked how to remove Defender from Windows 10 & 11. Windows Defender is the free antivirus portion of Windows Security.

Windows Security is included in Windows 10 & 11 to protect your computer from online threats. Please see our tutorial before proceeding.

You must disable Tamper Protection before using these registry files or make the changes in Group Policy Editor. Disable Windows Defender Antivirus in Windows 10 & 11 contains the registry files to disable Windows Defender Antivirus.

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