Can Windows Defender be completely disabled in CU?


  1. Posts : 130
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    Can Windows Defender be completely disabled in CU?


    Title.

    In 1607 and earlier, it was possible to shut it off. You could just turn each feature off from the Settings app, then use group policy settings to prevent it from turning itself back on (I used WinAeroTweaker to do this in one click)

    While I can still disable it using WinAeroTweaker, the "Windows Defender Security Center" is still there, and just shows a few things in red, but otherwise seems like it's still turned on and doing its thing in the background.

    Having that + a real antivirus at the same time puts tremendous load on the hard drive (especially in VMs!) so I really would like to shut it off entirely.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,442
    Windows 11 Home
       #2

    It is unfortunate, MS should have separated Health Center and WD, not mix it together.

    Download DisableWD.bat and run it as admin, then restart, run it again and restart.
    Can Windows Defender be completely disabled in CU? Attached Files
    Last edited by TairikuOkami; 20 Apr 2017 at 15:45.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 130
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #3

    That screenshot looks like pre-CU, though. I'll give it a try, just saying.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5,442
    Windows 11 Home
       #4

    I forgot, I have altered that one just to disable WD, but keep health center, run CMD as admin and enter:

    reg add "HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\SecurityHealthService" /v "Start" /t REG_DWORD /d "4" /f
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 130
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hmm, that seems to have worked for the most part, but it still has that Windows Defender Security Center in the start menu that basically does nothing now - it doesn't even open saying "this app is disabled by group policy" like it did before. Is it possible to use powershell commands to get that entry out of there? I recall reading in another thread you can ADD shortcuts using powershell, at least.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 104
    Windows10 Pro
       #6

    I've also been wondering how to turn off WD in the CU. Turning off the Real-Time protection does nothing as it asks for admin privileges and then even after allowing it it just turns straight back on. Same for all the other options.
    Can Windows Defender be completely disabled in CU?-2.jpg

    Also I am unable to stop any of the services running as in all the property dialogue boxes in services all the options to start, stop, pause and resume are greyed out.

    Just noticed that in WDSC there is a notification on the Virus & threat protection section with a red circle with a cross. It's telling me that the threat service has been stopped and to restart it now. Clicking restart does absolutely nothing. I'm amusing this is some sort of bug as I had WD turned off before the CU

    Can Windows Defender be completely disabled in CU?-capture.jpg
      My Computer


  7. DJG
    Posts : 508
    Windows 10 Pro x64 22H2 19045.4170
       #7

    Indeed, this has become a PITA - I keep getting these unwanted Defender scans.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 6,789
    22H2 64 Bit Pro
       #8

    It is possible to disable but it's not worth messing about with it unless you are an advanced user with a full system image backup.


    Can Windows Defender be completely disabled in CU?-securityhealthservice-properties.jpg

    Details:

    Download NSudo - MajorGeeks
      My Computer


 

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