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Disable Defender Antivirus interface

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 Defender Antivirus interface.

This script keeps the Antimalware User Interface (AM UI) hidden from users 1. This prevents user interactions with the Defender Antivirus interface.

Several reasons to hide the antivirus interface:

  • Reduced data sharing: Minimizing Defender's visible interactions can potentially limit the extent of user data shared with Microsoft, whether you're using Defender or disabling it for an alternative solution.
  • Minimized Interruptions: Hiding the interface prevents users from starting and pausing scans. It also eliminates prompts that may lead to unknowing data sharing. This approach streamlines the user experience and reduces the risk of accidental data sharing.
  • Reduced notifications: Enabling headless UI mode in Windows 10 (version 1703 and newer) hides Defender Antivirus notifications 2. It prevents users from being overwhelmed with security notifications. This action can contribute to a cleaner, less interrupted user experience. By reducing these notifications, the system lessens the chances of users inadvertently triggering options that may share data.
  • Restricting access: In earlier versions of Windows 10, activating this mode not only hides the Defender client interface but also restricts users from accessing it 2. If a user attempts to open the interface, they are met with a warning, indicating that access has been restricted by the system administrator 2.
Caution

This action limits your ability to manage antivirus settings, manually run scans and view security status.

Technical Details​

The script achieves this by making a specific change in the Windows Registry. Specifically, it adds a value named UILockdown in the HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\UX Configuration registry path, setting its data to 1 1.

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 Windows Security interface category. This category offers scripts to disable or modify different aspects of the Windows Security user interface, formerly known as Windows Defender Security Center. Windows Security is a centralized interface managing various Windows security features. It evolved from **Windows... 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 Antivirus interface.
  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\Windows Defender\UX Configuration!UILockdown"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\UX Configuration'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\UX Configuration' /v 'UILockdown' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$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\Windows Defender\UX Configuration!UILockdown"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\UX Configuration' /v 'UILockdown' /f 2>$null"

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