Disable Defender Antivirus service always-on state
- Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
- Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
- 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.
- 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 configures Windows to stop the Defender Antivirus service when antivirus protection is disabled.
The Microsoft Defender Antivirus service was formerly called the Antimalware Service 1. This service is one of the core components of Defender Antivirus 1 2. It raises privacy concerns because it sends files to Microsoft servers for analysis 2.
By default, Windows stops this service when antivirus features are disabled 3 4 5. This script enforces this default behavior to consistently and persistently. This behavior is recommended by Microsoft 3 4 5.
This script does not disable any security features on its own. It only controls whether the service stays running after antivirus protection has been disabled through other means.
This script enhances privacy by reducing potential security monitoring. It may also improve system performance by freeing up resources when the antivirus is not in use.
Technical Details
After applying this script:
- The Defender Antivirus service stops when both antivirus and antispyware protections are disabled 3 4 5.
- If the computer restarts, the service restarts if set to automatic 3 4 5.
- The system will then check if antivirus and antispyware security intelligence are enabled 3 4 5.
- If at least one is enabled, the service will continue running 3 4 5.
- If both are disabled, the service stops 3 4 5.
This script sets the following registry keys to configure GPO:
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender!ServiceKeepAlive
3 4 for modern versions of WindowsHKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Microsoft Antimalware!ServiceKeepAlive
5 for older versions of Windows
- 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.
- 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
- Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows Overview - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/microsoft-defender-antivirus-windows
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240609145624/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/microsoft-defender-antivirus-windows?view=o365-worldwide - Microsoft Defender Antivirus on Windows Server - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/microsoft-defender-antivirus-on-windows-server
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240609150337/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/microsoft-defender-antivirus-on-windows-server?view=o365-worldwide - ADMX_MicrosoftDefenderAntivirus Policy CSP - Windows Client Management. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/mdm/policy-csp-admx-microsoftdefenderantivirus
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240314124159/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/mdm/policy-csp-admx-microsoftdefenderantivirus#ux_configuration_notification_suppress - Allow antimalware service to remain running always. admx.help. (2024).
Original: https://admx.help
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240924234521/https://admx.help/?Category=Windows_10_2016&Policy=Microsoft.Policies.WindowsDefender::ServiceKeepAlive - Allow antimalware service to remain running always. admx.help. (2024).
Original: https://admx.help
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240924234500/https://admx.help/?Category=SystemCenterEndpointProtection&Policy=Microsoft.Policies.Antimalware::system_center_endpoint_protection_servicekeepalive
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 Defender Antivirus service always-on state" 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 Defender Antivirus service always-on state" using privacy.sexy
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: privacy.sexy
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 4 instructions
- 2
Choose script
- Search for the script name: Disable Defender Antivirus service always-on state
- 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: "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender!ServiceKeepAlive"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender' /v 'ServiceKeepAlive' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Microsoft Antimalware!ServiceKeepAlive"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Microsoft Antimalware'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Microsoft Antimalware' /v 'ServiceKeepAlive' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
Ijo6IERlbGV0ZSB0aGUgcmVnaXN0cnkgdmFsdWUgXCJIS0xNXFxTb2Z0d2FyZVxcUG9saWNpZXNcXE1pY3Jvc29mdFxcV2luZG93cyBEZWZlbmRlciFTZXJ2aWNlS2VlcEFsaXZlXCJcblBvd2VyU2hlbGwgLUV4ZWN1dGlvblBvbGljeSBVbnJlc3RyaWN0ZWQgLUNvbW1hbmQgXCJyZWcgZGVsZXRlICdIS0xNXFxTb2Z0d2FyZVxcUG9saWNpZXNcXE1pY3Jvc29mdFxcV2luZG93cyBEZWZlbmRlcicgL3YgJ1NlcnZpY2VLZWVwQWxpdmUnIC9mIDI+JG51bGxcIlxuOjogRGVsZXRlIHRoZSByZWdpc3RyeSB2YWx1ZSBcIkhLTE1cXFNPRlRXQVJFXFxQb2xpY2llc1xcTWljcm9zb2Z0XFxNaWNyb3NvZnQgQW50aW1hbHdhcmUhU2VydmljZUtlZXBBbGl2ZVwiXG5Qb3dlclNoZWxsIC1FeGVjdXRpb25Qb2xpY3kgVW5yZXN0cmljdGVkIC1Db21tYW5kIFwicmVnIGRlbGV0ZSAnSEtMTVxcU09GVFdBUkVcXFBvbGljaWVzXFxNaWNyb3NvZnRcXE1pY3Jvc29mdCBBbnRpbWFsd2FyZScgL3YgJ1NlcnZpY2VLZWVwQWxpdmUnIC9mIDI+JG51bGxcIiI=
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable Defender Antivirus service always-on state" 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
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.
- Disable Defender Antivirus service
- Disable Defender services and drivers
- Disable Defender Antivirus
- Disable Defender
- Privacy over security
This category disables the Defender Antivirus service and its related components. This service is also referred to as Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service and Wind...
This write-up —disable Defender services and drivers— provides guidance on how to secure your digital footprint via personal privacy maintenance on Windows. In dir...
This category provides scripts to disable Defender Antivirus. Defender Antivirus, integrated into Windows, provides protection against viruses, ransomware, and oth...
This category offers scripts to disable Windows security components related to Defender. Defender is also referred to as Microsoft Defender or Windows Defender. Al...
Steps to privacy over security on your Windows machine to enhance data privacy protection. Together with that, this feature walks through the procedure to undo the...
Same Goal
Other guides in Disable Defender Antivirus serviceSee 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 10 guides
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.