Windows Defender is a security suite of applications designed to protect your computer and data from malicious software, including viruses, worms, spyware, and other malicious programs. It works in tandem with Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE), a free antivirus program available for download from Microsoft’s website. Windows Defender is automatically installed when you first set up Windows 10, so it is on by default.
However, some users may prefer to use different antivirus software or may not want the extra layer of protection that Windows Defender provides, in which case they may want to disable the program. In this article, we will explain how to turn off Windows Defender in Windows 10.
Step 1: Open the Settings Menu
The first step in disabling Windows Defender is to open the Settings menu. You can do this by pressing the Windows key (or clicking the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of the screen) and then typing “settings” into the search bar. Once the Settings menu appears, click on it to open it.
Step 2: Select Update & Security
Once the Settings menu is open, select the “Update & Security” option. This will open a window with several tabs; select the “Windows Defender” tab.
Step 3: Click the “Turn Off” Button
The “Windows Defender” tab will open a window with several options, one of which is to turn off Windows Defender. Click the “Turn Off” button to disable Windows Defender.
Note that once you have disabled Windows Defender, you should install and use an alternative antivirus program. Failing to do so could leave your computer vulnerable to malicious attacks.
Step 4: Confirm That You Want to Turn Off Windows Defender
When you click the “Turn Off” button, a pop-up window will appear confirming that you want to turn off Windows Defender. Click “Yes” if you want to continue; otherwise, click “No” to cancel the process.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer
Once you have clicked “Yes” in the confirmation window, Windows Defender will be disabled. To apply the changes, you will need to restart your computer.
Once your computer has restarted, you will notice that the Windows Defender icon in your system tray is gone, indicating that the program is no longer running.
Conclusion
Disabling Windows Defender is relatively simple and straightforward. All you have to do is open the Settings menu, select the “Windows Defender” tab, and click the “Turn Off” button. Be sure to install and use an alternative antivirus program after you have disabled Windows Defender; failing to do so could leave your computer vulnerable to malicious attacks.