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Disable Defender Antivirus

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Impact: MediumSystem Functionality Loss Risk: Moderate
    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.
    This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • 99 scripts
  • 25 categories
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This category provides scripts to disable Defender Antivirus.

Defender Antivirus, integrated into Windows, provides protection against viruses, ransomware, and other types of malware 1 2 3.

Disabling Defender Antivirus may improve system performance and privacy by stopping related data collection However, disabling it may severely compromise your system's security if not complemented by proper security practices. Carefully consider the trade-off before proceeding.

Defender Antivirus comes with following concerns:

  • It sends files and personal data 4 to Microsoft's Cloud Protection Service (MAPS) (also known as Microsoft Active Protection Service or Microsoft SpyNet) for analysis 5 6.
  • Recent Windows versions deeply integrate Defender with mechanisms like Early Boot Anti-Malware, Tamper Protection, making it extremely difficult to remove or uninstall 7 8. This means that even if you want to stop using Defender for privacy reasons, these features make it very difficult to do so using standard methods, keeping Microsoft's security and data collection systems in place on your device.
  • In 2020, Defender began flagging modifications to the hosts file that block Microsoft telemetry as a security risk 8 9. This prevents you from easily stopping Microsoft's data collection on your device.
  • It flags privacy scripts as malicious, even though their purpose is to enhance privacy 8 9. This discourages the use of tools designed to protect your personal data.
  • Some reports suggest that Defender may consume significant system resources 10.

Defender Antivirus evolution milestones:

  • Originally launched as Windows AntiSpyware, later renamed to Windows Defender 11.
  • Replaced Microsoft Security Essentials in Windows 8 12.
  • Windows Defender is renamed to Windows Defender Antivirus in Windows 10 version 1703 13.
  • First included in Windows Security Center (WSC) in the 1809 update 14. Later, it became part of the Windows Security suite 1 2 3 7 13.
  • Renamed to Microsoft Defender Antivirus in the 2004 update 15. However, it's still frequently referred to as Windows Defender, even by Microsoft in its current documentation 1.

To check if Defender Antivirus is active, you can use the following commands in a PowerShell prompt:

  • Get-MpComputerStatus: Displays the current state of Defender Antivirus 18.
  • Get-MpPreference: Shows the current configuration settings of Defender Antivirus 19.
Caution

Disabling antivirus protection may significantly reduce your system's security. Consider having alternative security measures in place and practicing safe computing habits.

  1. Security Trade-off

    This action prioritizes privacy over certain security features. It's not recommended and should only be used by advanced users after understanding its implications.

    Increased Privacy

    Enhanced privacy through reduced data collection and tracking

    Decreased Security

    Some security features will be disabled or limited

    This script can be reversed, this allows you to restore the default system security.

  2. Use with Caution

    This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.

    Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

    This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source

High — Advanced Privacy​

  • For advanced privacy-conscious users
  • May affect some features

Read more about High and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Defender Antivirus" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 6 instructions
  1. 1

    Choose protection

    Choose one of the options with different impact levels:

    • High​

      Some advanced scripts with high system impact.

    • Maximum​

      Some not recommended scripts with very high system impact.

    Learn more about protection levels

  2. 2

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  3. 3

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  4. 4

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  5. 5

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  6. 6

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Defender Antivirus" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Disable Defender Antivirus
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.

    Applying High to limit the impact.

  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide​

  • 99 Privacy settings
  • 10 Main categories
    • These settings are organized into 10 main categories for easy navigation.
    • Main categories may contain subcategories, further organizing related functionality.
  • 25 Total categories

Choose what to protect based on your needs:This script already includes these options.
You can review, apply or reverse each option individually.
Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.
These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.
This category offers scripts to disable Windows security components related to Defender. Defender is also referred to as Microsoft Defender or Windows De...

— Disable Defender

Same Goal​

Other guides in Disable Defender See settings that are in the same category as this guide.
Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.
See all 8 guides

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
    • Audited and verified using automated security tests

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
    • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process