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Disable Defender System 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.
  • 6 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 System Guard, a security feature in Windows.

This feature is referred to as Windows Defender System Guard 1 2, System Guard 3, and internally within Microsoft as Octagon 4. Introduced in Windows 10, version 1709 1 4, it is a set of system integrity features 1 2.

System Guard acts as an anti-tampering mechanism 4. It is a Windows component that protects system integrity during startup and runtime 1 2 3. It is included as part of the Defender for Endpoint suite 2.

It features:

  • System Integrity Protection:
    • Protects and maintains system integrity during startup and runtime 1 2 3
    • Validates system integrity through local and remote verification 1 2 3
    • Ensures only signed and secure Windows files and drivers can start 1 2
  • Critical Resource Protection:
    • Safeguards critical resources (e.g., authentication stack, biometric stack) 2 3
    • Protects against System Management Mode (SMM) attacks 3
  • Hardware-Based Security:
    • Uses hardware-based security features to prevent unauthorized software from running before Windows starts 1 3
    • Takes integrity measurements during boot using TPM 2.0 2 3
  • Remote Management and Analysis:
    • Enables remote analysis of device integrity 1 2
    • Allows management systems (e.g., Intune, SCCM) to acquire integrity data 1 2 3
    • Enables remote actions (e.g., denying resource access) for compromised devices 1 2 3
    • This capability works by sending system integrity data to the Microsoft cloud and other third parties 5.

Disabling System Guard enhances privacy by preventing remote analysis of your system. It also gives users more control, allowing changes to system components that are normally protected. This enables privacy modifications that require system-level changes, such as disabling other Defender features.

However, disabling System Guard may reduce overall system security. It removes safeguards that prevent unauthorized system changes and malware infections during startup. This may increase your system's vulnerability to attacks. Using this on a work or school computer may violate organizational policies.

Caution

This action may expose your system to increased security risks.

  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.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source

Maximum — Strongest Possible Privacy​

Read more about Maximum and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Defender System 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.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Defender System 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 System 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​

  • 6 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.

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.
This category disables features that restrict system modifications in Windows. This enables deeper system modifications, enhancing privacy by allowing th...

— Disable system modification restrictions

Same Goal​

Other guides in Disable system modification restrictions 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.
Disable Defender Antivirus minifilter driver
Disable Defender Antivirus boot driver
Disable security event monitoring
Disable Secure Boot driver
Disable Tamper Protection
Disable virtualization-based security (VBS)

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
    • 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.

Review Change History Our Change Process