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Disable Defender services and drivers

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Impact: Medium

    System Functionality / Data 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.
  • 15 scripts
  • 1 categories
  • 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​

Missing Good Quality Documentation

This page does not yet meet PrivacyLearn's documentation standards. The script/action is stable and verified by community. Here are some options for you to understand its functionality:

Computer-generated docs (PREVIEW)

This documentation may be low quality but still useful.
Read computer-generated explanation

This documentation is automatically extracted from the code implementation.

This write-up —disable Defender services and drivers— provides guidance on how to secure your digital footprint via personal privacy maintenance on Windows. In direct relation, process to reset modifications applied is detailed below.

Preserving individuality in the digital world is achievable with system privacy security. Online privacy measures control: enhance security with help of this optimization and find the next step that aligns with your goals. Stay focused on the guide and avoid distractions. Careful attention will make everything go more smoothly.

References​

Explore similar guides

Gives more context about the goal of the changes
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Review code

Requires technical knowledge about Batch (batchfile)
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Requires technical knowledge about YAML and Git
Edit this page
  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 action allows you to can restore the 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.

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 services and drivers" 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 potentially impactful changes with moderate system impact.

    • Maximum

      Some impactful changes with high system impact.
  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 services and drivers" 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 services and drivers
    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​

  • 15 Privacy settings
  • 1 Main categories
    • These settings are organized into 1 main categories for easy navigation.
    • Each main category contains subcategories, helping you find specific settings you might want to adjust.
  • 1 Total categories

Choose what to protect based on your needs:

Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Each change can be applied and reversed individually.

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

Disable Defender Antivirus service

This category disables the Defender Antivirus service and its related components. This service is also referred to as Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service and Windows Defender Service. It is a core component of Microsoft Defender Antivirus, essential for its operation. Using these scripts offers two benefits: Enhanced Privacy: Limits Microsoft's data collection on your files and system activity. • Improved Performance: Reduces system resource usage by limiting background processe...

Disable "Microsoft Defender Antivirus Network Inspection System Driver" service

https://web.archive.org/web/20240314062056/https://batcmd.com/windows/10/services/wdnisdrv/ • https://web.archive.org/web/20240609145030/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/troubleshoot-onboarding?view=o365-worldwide Overview of default service statuses - •OS Version: Windows 10 (≥ 22H2) → Status: 🟢 Running → Start type: Manual • OS Version: Windows 11 (≥ 23H2) → Status: 🔴 Stopped → Start type: Manual

Disable Defender Antivirus device filter driver

This script disables Defender's device monitoring by removing the driver file "WdDevFlt.sys". Microsoft refers to this file as Microsoft antimalware device filter driver. This driver belongs to Defender Antivirus. It allows Defender to monitor devices you connect, including USB drives, displays, and audio devices. This script improves privacy by: Preventing Defender from monitoring device connections and activities • Reducing tracking of device activity at the system level • Limiting dat...

Disable Defender Antivirus network inspection service

This script disables the Defender Antivirus Network Inspection Service ("WdNisSvc") and its process, "NisSrv.exe". This service is also known as: Microsoft Defender Antivirus Network Inspection Service • Windows Defender Antivirus Network Inspection Service • Windows Defender Network Inspection Service • NIS This service inspects network traffic to detect known vulnerabilities, aiming to protect against network-based attacks. It is part of Defender Antivirus and Defende...

Disable Microsoft Defender Core Service

This script disables the Microsoft Defender Core service ("MDCoreSvc"). The Microsoft Defender Core service is a component of Defender Antivirus. It is included in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint suite.. It contributes to the stability and performance of Defender Antivirus. This script improves privacy by disabling this service. It reduces data collection associated with Microsoft Defender Antivirus and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. It may also increase system performance by removing ...

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 provides scripts to disable Defender Antivirus. Defender Antivirus, integrated into Windows, provides protection against viruses, ransomware, and oth...
Visit category page

Same Goal​

Other guides in Disable Defender Antivirus 

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 14 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

  • 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.

Review Change History Our Change Process