Disable Defender Antivirus interface
- 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 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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 trackingDecreased Security
Some security features will be disabled or limitedThis script can be reversed, this action allows you to can restore the system security.
Sources
- Enable headless UI mode. (2023).
Original: https://admx.help
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20230810164814/https://admx.help/?Category=Windows_10_2016&Policy=Microsoft.Policies.WindowsDefender::UX_Configuration_UILockdown - Hide the Microsoft Defender Antivirus interface. Microsoft Learn. (2023).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/prevent-end-user-interaction-microsoft-defender-antivirus
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20230810164835/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/prevent-end-user-interaction-microsoft-defender-antivirus?view=o365-worldwide
Apply Now
Choose one of three ways to apply:
Download script
Download and run the script directly- No app needed
- Offline usage
- Easy-to-apply
- Free
- Open-source
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable Defender Antivirus interface" using script
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Web Browser
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 5 instructions
- 1
Download
Download the script file by clicking on thebutton above.
Use button above to restore changes. - 2
Keep the file
If warned by your browser, keep the file. - 3
Open
Open the downloaded file. - 4
Exit
Once it's done, press any key to exit the window. - 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
- Free
- Open-source
- Popular
- Offline/Online usage
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable Defender Antivirus interface" using privacy.sexy
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: privacy.sexy
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 4 instructions
- 2
Choose script
- Search for the script name: Disable Defender Antivirus interface
- Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- 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.
- Apply
- Revert
:: 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"
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Help
How to apply or restore "Disable Defender Antivirus interface" using commands
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Command Prompt
- Difficulty: Medium
- ≈ 3 instructions
- 1
Open Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt as Administrator. - 2
Copy code
Copy the code: - 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:
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.