Disable Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) for current user
- Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
- Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
- Impact: High
System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: High
This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.
- Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
- Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
- 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 script disables the Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) for the current user, preventing the integration of applications and services with antimalware products.
AMSI is a standard interface that integrates applications and services with antimalware products on Windows machines 1. It helps detect potentially malicious scripts, such as harmful PowerShell commands or Microsoft Office macros, even if they are obfuscated 2.
When AMSI is enabled, antivirus programs can scan scripts before they run 2. If a known malicious pattern is detected, the script may be blocked 2.
Disabling AMSI may enhance privacy by limiting data shared with antimalware services. It may also boost system performance by reducing background scanning activities.
However, disabling AMSI poses significant security risks:
- Reduced protection from script-based attacks
- Weakened detection of malicious macros
- Increased vulnerability to obfuscated malware
Disabling AMSI weakens your defense against malware and script-based threats.
Technical Details
This script modifies the Windows Registry by setting the AmsiEnable
value to 0
under the HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows Script\Settings
key 2 3 4.
- Not Advised
This script should only be used by advanced users.
This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.
Consider creating a system restore point before doing any changes.
- 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 trackingDecreased Security
Some security features will be disabled or limitedThis script can be reversed, this action allows you to can restore the system security.
Sources
- Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) - Win32 apps. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/amsi/antimalware-scan-interface-portal
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240828134320/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/amsi/antimalware-scan-interface-portal - Hunting for AMSI bypasses - F-Secure Blog. blog.f-secure.com. (2024).
Original: https://blog.f-secure.com/hunting-for-amsi-bypasses
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240828134325/https://blog.f-secure.com/hunting-for-amsi-bypasses/ - Modify Registry - Red Canary Threat Detection Report. redcanary.com. (2024).
Original: https://redcanary.com/threat-detection-report/techniques/modify-registry
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240828134331/https://redcanary.com/threat-detection-report/techniques/modify-registry// - Macros and More with SharpShooter v2.0 - MDSec. www.mdsec.co.uk. (2024).
Original: https://www.mdsec.co.uk/2019/02/macros-and-more-with-sharpshooter-v2-0
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240828134538/https://www.mdsec.co.uk/2019/02/macros-and-more-with-sharpshooter-v2-0/
Apply Now
Choose one of three ways to apply:
Download script
Download and run the script directly- No app needed
- Offline usage
- Easy-to-apply
- Free
- Open-source
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) for current user" using script
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Web Browser
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 5 instructions
- 1
Download
Download the script file by clicking on thebutton above.
Use button above to restore changes. - 2
Keep the file
If warned by your browser, keep the file. - 3
Open
Open the downloaded file. - 4
Exit
Once it's done, press any key to exit the window. - 5
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
- Free
- Open-source
- Popular
- Offline/Online usage
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) for current user" using privacy.sexy
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: privacy.sexy
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 4 instructions
- 2
Choose script
- Search for the script name: Disable Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) for current user
- Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- 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.
- Apply
- Revert
:: Set the registry value: "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows Script\Settings!AmsiEnable"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows Script\Settings'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows Script\Settings' /v 'AmsiEnable' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
Ijo6IERlbGV0ZSB0aGUgcmVnaXN0cnkgdmFsdWUgXCJIS0NVXFxTb2Z0d2FyZVxcTWljcm9zb2Z0XFxXaW5kb3dzIFNjcmlwdFxcU2V0dGluZ3MhQW1zaUVuYWJsZVwiXG5Qb3dlclNoZWxsIC1FeGVjdXRpb25Qb2xpY3kgVW5yZXN0cmljdGVkIC1Db21tYW5kIFwicmVnIGRlbGV0ZSAnSEtDVVxcU29mdHdhcmVcXE1pY3Jvc29mdFxcV2luZG93cyBTY3JpcHRcXFNldHRpbmdzJyAvdiAnQW1zaUVuYWJsZScgL2YgMj4kbnVsbFwiIg==
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) for current user" using commands
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Command Prompt
- Difficulty: Medium
- ≈ 3 instructions
- 1
Open Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt as Administrator. - 2
Copy code
Copy the code: - 3
Paste & run
Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.Some changes require a system restart to take effect
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About the Creators
These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:
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
Public review by large community
- Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
- Millions of end-users tested across different environments
History
We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other 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.