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How to Disable Windows Defender in Windows 10

Windows Defender is a free built-in antivirus software program in Windows 10. If you install other third-party antivirus software like Avast Antivirus, Windows Defender will be disabled automatically. But for some reasons it doesn’t be turned off successfully, you need to disable Windows Defender manually.

Disable Windows Defender in Windows 10 through Group Policy

If you are a Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise user, you could try to disable Windows Defender in Windows 10 through Group Policy. Here’s what you exactly need to do.

Step 1. Press Windows key + R altogether to bring up the Run dialog

Step 2. Type gpedit.msc and click OK to open the Local Group Policy Editor

Step 3. Navigate to the following path:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows components > Windows Defender

Step 4. On the right side, double-click Turn off Windows Defender

Step 5. Select Enabled to disable Windows Defender

Step 6. Click Apply and then OK

Disable Windows Defender in Windows 10 via Registry

If you are running Windows 10 Home edition, you could disable Windows Defender in Windows 10 using Registry. Follow these steps to modify the Registry:

Step 1. Press the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command

Step 2. Type regedit and then click OK to open the registry

Step 3. Browse to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

Step 4. If you don’t see DWORD DisableAntiSpyware, right-click on an empty space, select New and then click DWORD (32-bit) Value

Step 5. Name the key DisableAntiSpyware

Step 6. Double-click the newly created key, and set the value from 0 to 1

Step 7. Reboot your computer

Note: It is strongly recommended that create a system restore point before starting the Registry modifying procedure.

If you know other ways to disable Windows Defender in Windows 10, welcome to share with us in the comment section below.