Permanently disable Windows Defender

I have a media server running on my internal network and it NEVER access the Internet. So, I have no AV running on it. You can say that is STUPID if you want, but it's what I want for this machine.

I have a shortcut on the desktop to a Powershell script that invokes the registry function to disable Windows Defender and I run that every time I reboot the PC.

Today, I read that MS has REMOVED this registry feature -- which implies we can't disable Defender anymore.

I have Powershell scripts that enable Exclusions, but I don't want to have to run them repeatedly. Before I ran the registry hack, it appeared that Defender re-enabled itself repeatedly. I would know about that when Notifications started popping up on the desktop about stuff being removed!

Are we stuck now and have to go out and BUY AV software to get around this issue?

I have coded a batch script to permanently disable Windows Defender. For this batch script to work you have to disable Tamper Protection from Windows Security.

FreeBooter said:

I have coded a batch script to permanently disable Windows Defender. For this batch script to work you have to disable Tamper Protection from Windows Security.

That's the same registry function that the news said MS has now disabled. I already have real-time monitoring turned off but that is insufficient because I STILL get notifications.

Mark Phelps said:

That's the same registry function that the news said MS has now disabled. I already have real-time monitoring turned off but that is insufficient because I STILL get notifications.

You can use local group policy to disable Windows Defender.

How to Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows 10

Hide or Show Notification Area Icons on Taskbar in Windows 10

Ghot said:

I run the paid version of Bitdefender Internet Security 2020.

I want to totally disable Windows Defender and Windows Defender Firewall. I've already made a current Macrium Backup, and am ready to take the plunge. I already tried the registry method... it may have shut off the AV, but it hasn't shut down the Windows Defender firewall.

This is what it looks like atm...










Clicking on: Turn Windows defender firewall on or off, does nothing.


I can click on Windows Defender Firewall Properties and turn the firewall off, on the three tabs, but they just come back on at reboot.

/edit No matter what I do, I can't turn off the Windows Defender Firewall Service.

Type secpol.msc, into Start Menu. Expand "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security", and select the sub-menu "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security - Local Group Policy Object". In the right side pane Overview section, click the "Windows Firewall Properties" link. Now you should be able to change the Firewall State on whichever Profiles you need.