How to Disable Windows Defender on Windows 11

2 January 2026

Table of contents

What is Windows Defender and why it matters
How to disable Windows Defender from security settings
Disable Windows Defender via Group Policy
Disable Windows Defender via Windows Registry
Disable Windows Defender using command prompt
Disable Windows Defender with third-party antivirus
Risks and precautions when disabling Defender
How to reactivate Windows Defender

Knowing how to disable Windows Defender is one of the most common questions among Windows 11 users. Although Microsoft Defender Antivirus is one of the most effective Windows security tools integrated into the operating system, there are situations where it may be necessary to temporarily disable it.

Example
When installing third-party antivirus software, or when running applications or scripts that the system mistakenly flags as threats.

In this user-friendly guide, we’ll explain in detail how to disable Windows Defender on Windows 11 safely and reversibly, showing all available options: through security settings, Group Policy, the Windows Registry, and the Command Prompt. We’ll also analyze the risks of long-term deactivation and how to reactivate Defender when needed to maintain your computer’s protection.

What is Windows Defender and why it matters

The Windows Defender program now called Microsoft Defender Antivirus is included in all modern Windows operating systems. It’s a built-in Windows security solution that protects against viruses, malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats in real time.

It’s directly integrated into the system and requires no additional installation, which is why most users don’t need any other antivirus. However, in some cases it may interfere with legitimate software or slow down operations, leading some users to disable Windows Defender temporarily.

Before proceeding, it’s essential to understand that turning off real-time protection leaves your PC exposed. For this reason, deactivation should only be temporary and always followed by enabling another antivirus protection method.

How to disable Windows Defender from security settings

The easiest way to disable Windows Defender on Windows 11 is through the built-in protection settings.
Here’s the step-by-step process:

Open the Start menu and select Settings (or press Win + I).
On the left sidebar, click Privacy & Security.
Select Windows Security.
Click Virus & Threat Protection.
In the new window, choose Manage Settings under Virus & threat protection settings.
Find the Real-time protection switch and turn it off.

At this point, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will stop scanning files and activities in real time. However, protection will automatically reactivate the next time you restart your computer.

If you need to keep it disabled for longer, you’ll have to use advanced methods such as Group Policy or Registry modifications.

Disable Windows Defender via Group Policy

The Group Policy method is recommended for users running Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise. It’s not available on the Home edition. This option allows you to permanently disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus (or until manually re-enabled).

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.

In the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus

On the right pane, double-click Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
Select Enabled to disable the program.
Click Apply, then OK.
Restart your computer.

After rebooting, Windows Defender will be completely disabled.
To reactivate it, return to the same setting and select Not Configured or Disabled.

Disable Windows Defender via Windows Registry

If you don’t have the Pro version of Windows, you can achieve the same result by editing the Windows Registry.
This procedure should be performed carefully it’s strongly recommended to create a restore point before making any changes.

Press Win + R and type regedit.

Navigate to the following path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

Right-click in the right pane and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name the new entry DisableAntiSpyware.
Double-click it and set the Value data to 1.
Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
Restart your computer.

After rebooting, Windows Defender will be disabled.
To reactivate it, set the value back to 0 or delete the created key.

Disable Windows Defender using command prompt

Another method is to use the Command Prompt with administrator privileges.
This approach is useful for users who prefer a quicker solution or want to automate the process through scripts.

Type cmd in the Windows search bar.
Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

In the window that opens, type the following command:
sc stop WinDefend

This command stops the Microsoft Defender Antivirus service.

To prevent it from starting automatically, type:
sc config WinDefend start=disabled

Restart your computer.

This will keep the Windows Defender service disabled until it’s manually re-enabled with the commands:

sc config WinDefend start=auto

followed by

sc start WinDefend

Disable Windows Defender with third-party antivirus

When you install a third-party antivirus such as Avast, Bitdefender, or Windows 11 automatically disables Microsoft Defender Antivirus to avoid conflicts.

This is the safest way to use an alternative protection system without manually changing Group Policy or the Windows Registry.
Once the external antivirus is uninstalled, Windows Defender will automatically reactivate, ensuring continuous operating system protection.

Risks and precautions when disabling Defender

Before disabling Windows Defender, consider the potential risks. Turning off real-time protection leaves your computer exposed to malware, network attacks, and other security threats.

If disabling it is necessary for example, to run specific software or perform security testing make sure to:

Disconnect from the Internet during the process.
Avoid downloading or opening unknown files.
Reactivate Microsoft Defender Antivirus immediately after finishing.

A safer alternative is to temporarily disable real-time protection instead of turning off the entire program.

How to reactivate Windows Defender

To re-enable Windows Defender through security settings, simply go back to Virus & Threat Protection > Manage Settings and toggle Real-time protection back on.

If you used Group Policy or Registry modifications, you’ll need to restore the original settings or delete the disabling key.

Conclusion

Understanding how to disable Windows Defender on Windows 11 is useful when installing third-party antivirus software, testing applications, or manually managing security settings. However, deactivation should always be temporary and intentional, since Microsoft Defender Antivirus is an essential component of Windows security.

Keeping your operating system up to date, running regular scans, and maintaining reliable protection are the foundations of a safe and efficient PC.

Questions and answers

Can I permanently disable Windows Defender on Windows 11?
Yes, but only by changing Group Policy or Registry settings. However, it’s not recommended unless you have another antivirus installed.
How can I temporarily disable Windows Defender?
Go to Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection > Manage Settings > Real-time Protection and turn the switch off.
Will Windows Defender turn back on automatically?
Yes, it will automatically reactivate after a system restart unless disabled through Group Policy or the Registry.
Does disabling Windows Defender reduce PC security?
Yes. It removes real-time protection, exposing the system to viruses and malware.
Can I use another antivirus instead of Defender?
Absolutely. Installing a third-party antivirus automatically disables Defender on Windows.
Where can I find “Virus & Threat Protection”?
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security.
Do I need to restart my PC after disabling Defender?
Yes, restarting is required to apply the changes.
What happens if I delete the wrong registry key?
You could cause system errors. Always back up your registry before making changes.
Can I disable Windows Defender using the Command Prompt?
Yes, using the commands sc stop WinDefend and sc config WinDefend start=disabled.
What’s the safest way to disable Defender?
Use Windows settings or install a third-party antivirus that automatically replaces it.