Windows 10 comes with the Windows Defender antivirus software pre-installed and enabled. By default, it provides real-time protection to help guard your PC against malware and other malware threats.
To turn Windows Defender on or off, you will need to use the Settings app. Here’s how:
1. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
2. Navigate to Update & Security.
3. On the left sidebar, select Windows Security.
4. Under ‘Virus & threat protection’, click the Manage settings link.
5. On the right side of the window, you will see an option labeled “Real-time protection.”
6. To enable/disable Windows Defender, toggle the switch from ON to OFF or vice versa.
7. Once you have made your changes, Windows Defender will update its protection settings accordingly.
If you wish to make additional changes to the way Windows Defender functions, you can do so by clicking the “Virus & threat protection settings” link. From here, you can select specific options such as manually scanning for viruses, setting up exclusions, and more.
You can also access Windows Defender by clicking the Start Button, typing “Defender” into the search bar, and selecting the result titled Windows Defender. From here, you can quickly launch a scan, adjust your settings, and view the status of your protection.
Overall, turning on and off Windows Defender is easy and should take just a few minutes if you are familiar with working in the Windows 10 settings menu. With Windows Defender, you can feel confident that your computer is safe from malicious attackers and unwanted malware.