Windows 11 comes with a built-in antivirus program known as Microsoft Defender. While it's a robust solution for most users, there may be situations where you want to disable it. Whether you're troubleshooting or prefer another security software, this guide will walk you through the steps to disable the built-in antivirus in Windows 11.
First, you need to access Windows Security. Click on the Start menu, and type Windows Security. Press Enter to open it.
Inside the Windows Security window, click on Virus & threat protection from the left-hand menu.
Under the Virus & threat protection settings section, click on Manage settings.
You'll find a toggle named Real-time protection. Turn this toggle off. You'll receive a prompt asking for confirmation. Click Yes to proceed.
To further disable Microsoft Defender, you can also turn off options like Cloud-delivered protection and Automatic sample submission under the same settings window.
If the basic steps don't fully disable Microsoft Defender, you can use the Group Policy Editor for a more permanent solution.
Press Win+R to open the Run dialog box. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
In the Group Policy Editor, go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
Double-click on Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus. Set it to Enabled and click Apply, then OK.
For the changes to take effect, you must restart your computer.
Disabling your antivirus can expose your computer to security threats. Make sure you have an alternative security solution in place before disabling Microsoft Defender.
Disabling Microsoft Defender in Windows 11 can be done through the built-in settings or via the Group Policy Editor for a more permanent solution. Always ensure another form of security is active to protect your system.
