How to Permanently Disable Windows Defender on Windows 10

In this tutorial, we are going to see how to permanently disable Windows Defender on Windows 10. Windows Defender is an antivirus program that is part of Windows Security, Microsoft’s security solution integrated by default in Windows 10. Windows Defender provides real-time protection against viruses, malware, spyware, and other threats.

If for some reason you want to disable Windows Defender on your computer, here are 4 methods to do it.

• Method 1: Using regedit
• Method 2: Using gpedit

 

Method 1: Disable Windows Defender on Windows 10 Using regedit

Step 1: Right-click on the Start button, select Run.
 

 

 
Step 2: Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
 

 
Step 3: After that, navigate to the following Registry key:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

 
Step 4: In the right panel, right-click in the empty area, then click New > DWORD (32-bit) Value
 

 

 
Step 5: Type DisableAntiSpyware and press Enter
 

 
Step 6: Double-click on DisableAntiSpyware and replace “Value data” with 1
 

 
Step 7: Restart your computer to take into account the changes.

To re-enable Windows Defender, remove the 32-bit DWORD value DisableAntiSpyware.
 

Method 2: Disable Windows Defender on Windows 10 Using gpedit

Step 1: Right-click on the Start button, select Run.
 

 

 
Step 2: Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
 

 
Step 3: After that, navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Defender Antivirus

OR

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus

 
Step 4: Double-click on Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus.
 

 

 
Step 5: Enable Group Policy to disable Windows Defender Antivirus.
 

 
That’s it, Windows Defender Antivirus is now disabled!

To reactivate Windows Defender, select Not configured or Disabled.