Disable Defender Exploit Guard

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.

• Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
• Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
• Impact: HighSystem Functionality 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.
• 3 scripts
• 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 category disables Defender Exploit Guard, potentially enhancing privacy and system performance.

Exploit Guard is also called Windows Defender Exploit Guard ^{1 2 3 4 5} or Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard ⁶. This component has been a built-in feature of Windows 10 since version 1709 ^{1 5}. It's the successor to the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) ^{1 5}.

Exploit Guard uses Microsoft Cloud for machine learning and to check websites and IP addresses ¹. Disabling it may enhance privacy by preventing these connections. It may improve system performance by reducing background processes. It also increases user autonomy by enabling choices about which programs, scripts, and websites can connect without automatic intervention.

However, disabling Exploit Guard may reduce protection against certain types of attacks. Users should carefully weigh the trade-offs between enhanced privacy/performance and potential security risks when disabling this feature.

Exploit Guard consists of four main components:

1. Attack Surface Reduction (ASR): Blocks Office-, script-, and email-based threats ^{1 2 7}.
2. Network protection: Blocks outbound connections to untrusted hosts/IP addresses using Defender SmartScreen ^{1 2 4}. It extends SmartScreen to the operating system level ⁴.
3. Controlled folder access: Protects sensitive data from ransomware by blocking untrusted processes from accessing protected folders ^{1 2 3}.
4. Exploit protection: Applies exploit mitigation techniques to operating system processes and applications ^{1 2 3}.

These components are enabled and configured by default on Windows 10 and 11 ^{1 3 8}. They can also be remotely configured and set up in managed environments, such as enterprise organizations ². Disabling Exploit Guard can affect local or organizational configurations, such as those set by schools or employers.

Defender Antivirus is the built-in antimalware component in Windows ⁵. Exploit Guard operates independently from Defender Antivirus ⁵. However, some features, like Attack Surface Reduction, depend on Defender Antivirus to function ¹. Exploit Guard may also require Defender Antivirus for some of its configurations ⁶.

Exploit Guard is included in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint suite ^{9 10}. Defender for Endpoint enhances its functionality by providing additional detailed reporting into exploit protection events and blocks as part of the usual alert investigation scenarios ¹⁰. Disabling Exploit Guard may impair the functionality of Defender for Endpoint.

Caution

Disabling Exploit Guard may lower your security if you do not have proper security practices or alternative protections in place.

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 allows you to restore the default 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.

• 1. (2023).
  Original: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2017/10/23/windows-defender-exploit-guard-reduce-the-attack-surface-against-next-generation-malware
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231020130741/https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2017/10/23/windows-defender-exploit-guard-reduce-the-attack-surface-against-next-generation-malware/
• Windows Defender Exploit Guard policy - Configuration Manager. Microsoft Learn. (2023).
  Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/protect/deploy-use/create-deploy-exploit-guard-policy
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20231020130731/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/protect/deploy-use/create-deploy-exploit-guard-policy
• Turn on exploit protection to help mitigate against attacks - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
  Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/enable-exploit-protection
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240821075921/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/enable-exploit-protection
• Use network protection to help prevent connections to bad sites - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
  Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/network-protection
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240821075805/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/network-protection
• Moving Beyond EMET II – Windows Defender Exploit Guard. MSRC Blog. Microsoft Security Response Center. msrc.microsoft.com. (2024).
  Original: https://msrc.microsoft.com/blog/2017/08/moving-beyond-emet-ii-windows-defender-exploit-guard
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240821075906/https://msrc.microsoft.com/blog/2017/08/moving-beyond-emet-ii-windows-defender-exploit-guard/
• Evaluate Microsoft Defender Antivirus using PowerShell. - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
  Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/microsoft-defender-antivirus-using-powershell
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240821080834/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/microsoft-defender-antivirus-using-powershell#advanced-threat-and-exploit-mitigation-and-prevention-controlled-folder-access
• Use attack surface reduction rules to prevent malware infection - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
  Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/attack-surface-reduction
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240821075836/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/attack-surface-reduction
• Protect important folders from ransomware from encrypting your files with controlled folder access - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
  Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/controlled-folders
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240821075914/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/controlled-folders
• Understand and use attack surface reduction - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
  Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/overview-attack-surface-reduction
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240821075742/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/overview-attack-surface-reduction
• Apply mitigations to help prevent attacks through vulnerabilities - Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
  Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/exploit-protection
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240821075844/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/defender-endpoint/exploit-protection

Apply Now

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script

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• No app needed
• Offline usage
• Easy-to-apply
• Free
• Open-source

Maximum — Strongest Possible Privacy

• Military-grade privacy protection
• Major system impact
• Consider having system restore point.

Read more about Maximum and other protection levels

Apply protection

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Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Defender Exploit Guard" 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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Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Defender Exploit Guard" 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 Exploit Guard
   2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
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

• 3 Privacy settings

Choose what to protect based on your needs:This script already includes these options.
You can review, apply or reverse each option individually.
Click any option to learn more about what it does.

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

• Disable prevention of users and apps from accessing dangerous websites

• Disable controlled folder access

• Disable "ExploitGuard MDM policy Refresh" task

  This script disables the "ExploitGuard MDM policy Refresh" scheduled task. The task is originally described in the Task Scheduler as: "Task for...

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Other guides in Disable Defender 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.

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Disable Defender data collection

Disable system modification restrictions

Disable Defender Antivirus

Disable Defender Firewall

Disable Defender for Endpoint

Disable SmartScreen

Disable Windows Security interface

Disable outdated Defender Application Guard

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About the Creators

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

• 

  undergroundwires

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  • 7+ years experience securing banks
  • Open-source developer since 2005
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• Open-Source Contributors

  • Hundreds across the globe
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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
  • Audited and verified using automated security tests

• Public review by large community

  • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
  • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
  • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential 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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