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Disable Defender Antivirus real-time protection module

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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 Defender Antivirus Real-time Protection (RTP) module by removing its core library, MpRtp.dll.

The MpRtp.dll library is also known as AntiMalware Realtime Monitor 1. It is a crucial component of Defender Antivirus 2 3 4 5. It works with the Microsoft Defender Antivirus Mini-Filter Driver (WdFilter.sys) to intercept and scan file operations 5 6. It functions as the Real-time Protection module 5 7. It constantly monitors your system for threats 8.

It includes features like:

  • Device Control policies to restrict the use of removable devices and printers 5.
  • Data Loss Prevention (DLP) capabilities to prevent sensitive data from being leaked 5.
  • Monitors your system 9, including scanning files and processes 5
  • Management of exclusions for files and processes that should not be scanned 5.
  • Real-time threat detection and actions based on configuration settings (e.g., block, allow, audit) 5.
  • Cloud-based protection and file submission to Microsoft 5
  • Integration with Office applications and browsers for additional protection 5.
  • Communication with other Defender components 5
  • Browser protection and network scanning 5
  • Controlled Folder Access to protect against ransomware
  • Using Event Tracing for Windows (ETW) providers for security logging 3 5

This script improves privacy by removing capabilities like sample submission and cloud communications. It prevents the system from monitoring processes for suspicious activities and logging events related to threat detections. It may also improve system performance, as some users have reported high CPU usage linked to this module 4. However, this may reduce your system's security by disabling real-time protection against malware and other threats.

Caution

Disabling real-time protection may expose your system to significant security risks.

Technical Details​

This script deletes the MpRtp.dll library from %PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Defender\MpRtp.dll 1 2. On older versions of Windows, this file is located at %PROGRAMDATA%\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\*\MpRtp.dll 3.

The MpRtp.dll library registers Event Tracing for Windows (ETW) providers for security logging 3 5. It implements the following ETW providers 3:

ETW Provider GUIDETW Provider Name
8E92DEEF-5E17-413B-B927-59B2F06A3CFCMicrosoft-Antimalware-RTP
7AF898D7-7E0E-518D-5F96-B1E79239484CMicrosoft.Windows.Defender
  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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Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Defender Antivirus real-time protection module" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

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How to apply or restore "Disable Defender Antivirus real-time protection module" 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 script name: Disable Defender Antivirus real-time protection module
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  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.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
:: Soft delete files matching pattern: "%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Defender\MpRtp.dll"  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\MpRtp.dll"^""'+"^""`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"
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Defender Antivirus real-time protection module" 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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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.

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