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Disable Defender Antivirus service (breaks "Set-MpPreference" cmdlet)

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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
  • 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 Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service and its associated process (MsMpEng.exe).

This service is known both as Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service 1 2 and Windows Defender Service 2. It is the primary component of Defender Antivirus 2, essential for its functionality 1 3.

Disabling this service has the following benefits:

  • It enhances privacy by preventing Microsoft from collecting data about your system and files for malware analysis.
  • It improves system performance by reducing background processes and resource usage.

Disabling this service comes at a cost:

  • It reduces your system's security by removing real-time malware protection.
  • It may also impair other Defender products, such as Defender for Endpoint 4.
  • It interrupts the functionality of the Set-MpPreference PowerShell cmdlet. This cmdlet is used to configure Defender scans and updates 5.
Caution

Disabling this service reduces your computer's security against malware, may affect other protective features, and can prevent you from changing Defender settings.

Technical Details​

This service runs the MsMpEng.exe executable 6 7. This executable is also known as Microsoft Defender Antivirus service executable 4 or Antimalware Service Executable 1. It's located at:

  • On modern Windows versions:
    • %PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Defender 4 6 7
  • On older versions of Windows:
    • %PROGRAMDATA%\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\*\MsMpEng.exe 8
    • %PROGRAMFILES%\Microsoft Security Client on older versions 4.

Attempting to use the Set-MpPreference cmdlet in PowerShell after disabling the service results in an error. Here's an example:

$ Set-MpPreference -Force -MAPSReporting 0

Set-MpPreference: Operation failed with the following error: 0x800106ba. Operation: Set-MpPreference.
Target: MAPS_MAPSReporting. FullyQualifiedErrorId : HRESULT 0x800106ba,Set-MpPreference.

Overview of default service statuses​

OS VersionStatusStart type
Windows 10 (≥ 22H2)🟢 RunningAutomatic
Windows 11 (≥ 23H2)🟢 RunningAutomatic
  1. 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.

  2. 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.

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.

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How to apply or restore "Disable Defender Antivirus service (breaks Set-MpPreference cmdlet)" using script​

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  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
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    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

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  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
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    1. Search for the script name: Disable Defender Antivirus service (breaks Set-MpPreference cmdlet)
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Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
:: Disable the service `WinDefend` using TrustedInstaller privileges
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "function Invoke-AsTrustedInstaller($Script) { $principalSid = [System.Security.Principal.SecurityIdentifier]::new('S-1-5-80-956008885-3418522649-1831038044-1853292631-2271478464'); $principalName = $principalSid.Translate([System.Security.Principal.NTAccount]); $streamFile = New-TemporaryFile; $scriptFile = New-TemporaryFile; try { $scriptFile = Rename-Item -LiteralPath $scriptFile -NewName ($scriptFile.BaseName + '.ps1') -Force -PassThru; $Script | Out-File $scriptFile -Encoding UTF8; $taskName = "^""privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy invoke"^""; schtasks.exe /delete /tn $taskName /f 2>&1 | Out-Null; $executionCommand = "^""powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File '$scriptFile' *>&1 | Out-File -FilePath '$streamFile' -Encoding UTF8"^""; $action = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute 'powershell.exe' -Argument "^""-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command `"^""$executionCommand`"^"""^""; $settings = New-ScheduledTaskSettingsSet -AllowStartIfOnBatteries -DontStopIfGoingOnBatteries; Register-ScheduledTask -TaskName $taskName -Action $action -Settings $settings -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; try { ($scheduleService = New-Object -ComObject Schedule.Service).Connect(); $scheduleService.GetFolder('\').GetTask($taskName).RunEx($null, 0, 0, $principalName) | Out-Null; $timeout = (Get-Date).AddMinutes(5); Write-Host "^""Running as $principalName"^""; while ((Get-ScheduledTaskInfo $taskName).LastTaskResult -eq 267009) { Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 200; if ((Get-Date) -gt $timeout) { Write-Warning 'Skipping: Timeout'; break; }; }; if (($result = (Get-ScheduledTaskInfo $taskName).LastTaskResult) -ne 0) { Write-Error "^""Failed, due to exit code: $result."^""; } } finally { schtasks.exe /delete /tn $taskName /f | Out-Null; }; Get-Content $streamFile } finally { Remove-Item $streamFile, $scriptFile; }; }; $cmd = '$serviceQuery = ''WinDefend'''+"^""`r`n"^""+'$stopWithDependencies= $false'+"^""`r`n"^""+'<# -- 1. Skip if service does not exist #>'+"^""`r`n"^""+'$service = Get-Service -Name $serviceQuery -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if(!$service) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host "^""Service query `"^""$serviceQuery`"^"" did not yield any results, no need to disable it."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Exit 0'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'$serviceName = $service.Name'+"^""`r`n"^""+'Write-Host "^""Disabling service: `"^""$serviceName`"^""."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'<# -- 2. Stop if running #>'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if ($service.Status -eq [System.ServiceProcess.ServiceControllerStatus]::Running) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is running, attempting to stop it."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    try {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        Write-Host "^""Stopping the service `"^""$serviceName`"^""."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        $stopParams = @{ `'+"^""`r`n"^""+'            Name = $ServiceName'+"^""`r`n"^""+'            Force = $true'+"^""`r`n"^""+'            ErrorAction = ''Stop'''+"^""`r`n"^""+'        }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        if (-not $stopWithDependencies) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'            $stopParams[''NoWait''] = $true'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        Stop-Service @stopParams'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        Write-Host "^""Stopped `"^""$serviceName`"^"" successfully."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    } catch {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        if ($_.FullyQualifiedErrorId -eq ''CouldNotStopService,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.StopServiceCommand'') {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'            Write-Warning "^""The service `"^""$serviceName`"^"" does not accept a stop command and may need to be stopped manually or on reboot."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        } else {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'            Write-Warning "^""Failed to stop service `"^""$ServiceName`"^"". It will be stopped after reboot. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'} else {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is not running, no need to stop."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'<# -- 3. Skip if service info is not found in registry #>'+"^""`r`n"^""+'$registryKey = "^""HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\$serviceName"^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if (-Not (Test-Path $registryKey)) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host "^""`"^""$registryKey`"^"" is not found in registry, cannot enable it."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Exit 0'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'<# -- 4. Skip if already disabled #>'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if( $(Get-ItemProperty -Path "^""$registryKey"^"").Start -eq 4) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is already disabled from start, no further action is needed."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Exit 0'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'<# -- 5. Disable service #>'+"^""`r`n"^""+'try {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Set-ItemProperty `'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        -LiteralPath $registryKey `'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        -Name "^""Start"^"" `'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        -Value 4 `'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        -ErrorAction Stop'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host ''Successfully disabled the service. It will not start automatically on next boot.'''+"^""`r`n"^""+'} catch {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Error "^""Failed to disable the service. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Exit 1'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'; Invoke-AsTrustedInstaller $cmd"
:: Soft delete files matching pattern: "%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe"  as TrustedInstaller
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "function Invoke-AsTrustedInstaller($Script) { $principalSid = [System.Security.Principal.SecurityIdentifier]::new('S-1-5-80-956008885-3418522649-1831038044-1853292631-2271478464'); $principalName = $principalSid.Translate([System.Security.Principal.NTAccount]); $streamFile = New-TemporaryFile; $scriptFile = New-TemporaryFile; try { $scriptFile = Rename-Item -LiteralPath $scriptFile -NewName ($scriptFile.BaseName + '.ps1') -Force -PassThru; $Script | Out-File $scriptFile -Encoding UTF8; $taskName = "^""privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy invoke"^""; schtasks.exe /delete /tn $taskName /f 2>&1 | Out-Null; $executionCommand = "^""powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File '$scriptFile' *>&1 | Out-File -FilePath '$streamFile' -Encoding UTF8"^""; $action = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute 'powershell.exe' -Argument "^""-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command `"^""$executionCommand`"^"""^""; $settings = New-ScheduledTaskSettingsSet -AllowStartIfOnBatteries -DontStopIfGoingOnBatteries; Register-ScheduledTask -TaskName $taskName -Action $action -Settings $settings -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; try { ($scheduleService = New-Object -ComObject Schedule.Service).Connect(); $scheduleService.GetFolder('\').GetTask($taskName).RunEx($null, 0, 0, $principalName) | Out-Null; $timeout = (Get-Date).AddMinutes(5); Write-Host "^""Running as $principalName"^""; while ((Get-ScheduledTaskInfo $taskName).LastTaskResult -eq 267009) { Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 200; if ((Get-Date) -gt $timeout) { Write-Warning 'Skipping: Timeout'; break; }; }; if (($result = (Get-ScheduledTaskInfo $taskName).LastTaskResult) -ne 0) { Write-Error "^""Failed, due to exit code: $result."^""; } } finally { schtasks.exe /delete /tn $taskName /f | Out-Null; }; Get-Content $streamFile } finally { Remove-Item $streamFile, $scriptFile; }; }; $cmd = '$pathGlobPattern = "^""%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe"^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'$expandedPath = [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables($pathGlobPattern)'+"^""`r`n"^""+'Write-Host "^""Searching for items matching pattern: `"^""$($expandedPath)`"^""."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+''+"^""`r`n"^""+'$renamedCount   = 0'+"^""`r`n"^""+'$skippedCount   = 0'+"^""`r`n"^""+'$failedCount    = 0'+"^""`r`n"^""+''+"^""`r`n"^""+'$foundAbsolutePaths = @()'+"^""`r`n"^""+''+"^""`r`n"^""+'try {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    $foundAbsolutePaths += @('+"^""`r`n"^""+'        Get-Item -Path $expandedPath -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    )'+"^""`r`n"^""+'} catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it''s unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'$foundAbsolutePaths = $foundAbsolutePaths   `'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    | Select-Object -Unique                 `'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    | Sort-Object -Property { $_.Length } -Descending'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if (!$foundAbsolutePaths) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host ''Skipping, no items available.'''+"^""`r`n"^""+'    exit 0'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'Write-Host "^""Initiating processing of $($foundAbsolutePaths.Count) items from `"^""$expandedPath`"^""."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'foreach ($path in $foundAbsolutePaths) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    if (Test-Path -Path $path -PathType Container) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host "^""Skipping folder (not its contents): `"^""$path`"^""."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    $skippedCount++'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    continue'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if($revert -eq $true) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    if (-not $path.EndsWith(''.OLD'')) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        Write-Host "^""Skipping non-backup file: `"^""$path`"^""."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        $skippedCount++'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        continue'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'} else {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    if ($path.EndsWith(''.OLD'')) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        Write-Host "^""Skipping backup file: `"^""$path`"^""."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        $skippedCount++'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        continue'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'$originalFilePath = $path'+"^""`r`n"^""+'Write-Host "^""Processing file: `"^""$originalFilePath`"^""."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if (-Not (Test-Path $originalFilePath)) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host "^""Skipping, file `"^""$originalFilePath`"^"" not found."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    $skippedCount++'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    exit 0'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+''+"^""`r`n"^""+'if ($revert -eq $true) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    $newFilePath = $originalFilePath.Substring(0, $originalFilePath.Length - 4)'+"^""`r`n"^""+'} else {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    $newFilePath = "^""$($originalFilePath).OLD"^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'try {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Move-Item -LiteralPath "^""$($originalFilePath)"^"" -Destination "^""$newFilePath"^"" -Force -ErrorAction Stop'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host "^""Successfully processed `"^""$originalFilePath`"^""."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    $renamedCount++'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    '+"^""`r`n"^""+'} catch {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Error "^""Failed to rename `"^""$originalFilePath`"^"" to `"^""$newFilePath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    $failedCount++'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    '+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if (($renamedCount -gt 0) -or ($skippedCount -gt 0)) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host "^""Successfully processed $renamedCount items and skipped $skippedCount items."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if ($failedCount -gt 0) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Warning "^""Failed to process $($failedCount) items."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+''; Invoke-AsTrustedInstaller $cmd"
:: Check and terminate the running process "MsMpEng.exe"
tasklist /fi "ImageName eq MsMpEng.exe" /fo csv 2>NUL | find /i "MsMpEng.exe">NUL && (
    echo MsMpEng.exe is running and will be killed.
    taskkill /f /im MsMpEng.exe
) || (
    echo Skipping, MsMpEng.exe is not running.
)
:: Configure termination of "MsMpEng.exe" immediately upon its startup
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\MsMpEng.exe!Debugger"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\MsMpEng.exe'; $data = '%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\taskkill.exe'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\MsMpEng.exe' /v 'Debugger' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Add a rule to prevent the executable "MsMpEng.exe" from running via File Explorer
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$executableFilename='MsMpEng.exe'; try { $registryPathForDisallowRun='HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun'; $existingBlockEntries = Get-ItemProperty -Path "^""$registryPathForDisallowRun"^"" -ErrorAction Ignore; $nextFreeRuleIndex = 1; if ($existingBlockEntries) { $existingBlockingRuleForExecutable = $existingBlockEntries.PSObject.Properties | Where-Object { $_.Value -eq $executableFilename }; if ($existingBlockingRuleForExecutable) { $existingBlockingRuleIndexForExecutable = $existingBlockingRuleForExecutable.Name; Write-Output "^""Skipping, no action needed: '$executableFilename' is already blocked under rule index `"^""$existingBlockingRuleIndexForExecutable`"^""."^""; exit 0; }; $occupiedRuleIndexes = $existingBlockEntries.PSObject.Properties | Where-Object { $_.Name -Match '^\d+$' } | Select -ExpandProperty Name; if ($occupiedRuleIndexes) { while ($occupiedRuleIndexes -Contains $nextFreeRuleIndex) { $nextFreeRuleIndex += 1; }; }; }; Write-Output "^""Adding block rule for `"^""$executableFilename`"^"" under rule index `"^""$nextFreeRuleIndex`"^""."^""; if (!(Test-Path $registryPathForDisallowRun)) { New-Item -Path "^""$registryPathForDisallowRun"^"" -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; }; New-ItemProperty -Path "^""$registryPathForDisallowRun"^"" -Name "^""$nextFreeRuleIndex"^"" -PropertyType String -Value "^""$executableFilename"^"" ` -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output "^""Successfully blocked `"^""$executableFilename`"^"" with rule index `"^""$nextFreeRuleIndex`"^""."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to block `"^""$executableFilename`"^"": $_"^""; Exit 1; }"
:: Activate the DisallowRun policy to block specified programs from running via File Explorer
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "try { $fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath = 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer'; $currentDisallowRunPolicyValue = Get-ItemProperty -Path "^""$fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath"^"" -Name 'DisallowRun' -ErrorAction Ignore | Select -ExpandProperty DisallowRun; if ([string]::IsNullOrEmpty($currentDisallowRunPolicyValue)) { Write-Output "^""Creating DisallowRun policy at `"^""$fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath`"^""."^""; if (!(Test-Path $fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath)) { New-Item -Path "^""$fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath"^"" -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; }; New-ItemProperty -Path "^""$fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath"^"" -Name 'DisallowRun' -Value 1 -PropertyType DWORD -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output 'Successfully activated DisallowRun policy.'; Exit 0; }; if ($currentDisallowRunPolicyValue -eq 1) { Write-Output 'Skipping, no action needed: DisallowRun policy is already in place.'; Exit 0; }; Write-Output 'Updating DisallowRun policy from unexpected value `"^""$currentDisallowRunPolicyValue`"^"" to `"^""1`"^"".'; Set-ItemProperty -Path "^""$fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath"^"" -Name 'DisallowRun' -Value 1 -Type DWORD -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output 'Successfully activated DisallowRun policy.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to activate DisallowRun policy: $_"^""; Exit 1; }"
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Defender Antivirus service (breaks Set-MpPreference cmdlet)" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 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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