Windows Defender is Microsoft’s built-in antivirus and anti-malware solution for Windows operating systems. It provides users with the ability to scan their files and folders, detect and remove malware and viruses, and protect the system from future attacks. While Windows Defender is generally considered to be a reliable security solution, some users may prefer to use another anti-malware program or may want to disable Windows Defender for troubleshooting or testing purposes. Whatever the reason, uninstalling or disabling Windows Defender can be done through a few simple steps.
Uninstalling Windows Defender
1) Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows Key + R key combination.
2) Type in “appwiz.cpl” into the Run dialog and hit Enter. This will open the Programs and Features window.
3) Scroll to the bottom of the window and look for Windows Defender in the list of installed programs.
4) Right-click on Windows Defender and select “Uninstall”.
5) Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstall process.
Disabling Windows Defender
1) Open up the Control Panel by typing “control panel” into the Start Menu search bar and hitting Enter. Alternatively, you can access it by pressing the Windows Key + X key combination and selecting “Control Panel” from the power user menu.
2) Once inside the Control Panel, click on “System and Security” > “Windows Defender”.
3) Click on “Tools” > “Options” and then uncheck the box next to “Use this program” under the “Real-time protection” section.
4) Click “Save” to save your changes.
Note: If you are using Windows 10, you can also turn off Windows Defender by going to “Settings” > “Update & Security” > “Windows Defender” and turning off the “Real-time protection” switch.
It is important to keep in mind that disabling Windows Defender is not the same as uninstalling it. Disabling Windows Defender will only temporarily suspend its protection and the program can be re-enabled at any time. Additionally, disabling Windows Defender does not remove any malicious software that may already be present on the system. To completely protect your system from viruses and other threats, it is recommended that users either uninstall Windows Defender or install a third-party anti-malware program.