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Disable Defender Application Guard isolation

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script disables the deprecated Defender Application Guard feature, which isolates applications to enhance security.

Application Guard uses Windows Hypervisor to create a secure virtual environment for certain apps 1. This isolation protects the system kernel and other applications from threats due to improper user interactions or vulnerabilities in isolated apps 1. Microsoft deprecated the Application Guard feature in 2023 and no longer provides updates 2.

Disabling this feature may improve privacy by reducing system monitoring of application behavior in isolated environments. It can also boost system performance by freeing resources allocated to virtualization. Additionally, it may increase security by removing deprecated software and reducing your attack surface. However, it may also reduce security by removing a protective layer against threats from untrusted sources.

Caution

Disabling Application Guard may expose your system to increased security risks from malicious applications.

Technical Details

This script sets the registry value AllowAppHVSI_ProviderSet to 0 in the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\AppHVSI key, effectively disabling the Defender Application Guard 1 3.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Implementation Details
  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories

This action belongs to Disable outdated Defender Application Guard category. This category provides scripts to disable the deprecated Defender Application Guard, a feature originally designed to protect business environments. Defender Application Guard is also referred to as Microsoft Defender Application Guard (MDAG). It was formerly known as Windows Defender... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Disable Defender Application Guard isolation.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide
  1. Click on Start menu

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt


Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\AppHVSI!AllowAppHVSI_ProviderSet"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\AppHVSI'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\AppHVSI' /v 'AllowAppHVSI_ProviderSet' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\AppHVSI!AllowAppHVSI_ProviderSet"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\AppHVSI' /v 'AllowAppHVSI_ProviderSet' /f 2>$null"

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