Enable or Disable Windows Security in Windows 10  

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    Enable or Disable Windows Security in Windows 10

    Enable or Disable Windows Security in Windows 10

    How to Enable or Disable Windows Security in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Security System
    01 Nov 2022
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Enable or Disable Windows Security in Windows 10


    The Windows Security app is a client interface on Windows 10 version 1703 and later that makes it is easier for you to view and control the security protections you choose and better understand the security features already protecting you on your Windows 10 device.

    Windows Security has seven areas that protect your device and let you specify how you want your device protected:

    This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the Windows Security app for all users in Windows 10.

    Enable or Disable Windows Security in Windows 10-windows_security_center_service_notification.jpg

    Windows Defender AV and the Windows Security app use similarly named services for specific purposes.

    The Windows Security app uses the Windows Security Service (SecurityHealthService or Windows Security Health Service), which in turn utilizes the Security Center service (wscsvc) to ensure the app provides the most up-to-date information about the protection status on the endpoint, including protection offered by third-party antivirus products, Windows Defender Firewall, third-party firewalls, and other security protection.

    These services do not affect the state of Windows Defender AV. Disabling or modifying these services will not disable Windows Defender AV, and will lead to a lowered protection state on the endpoint, even if you are using a third-party antivirus product.

    Windows Defender AV will be disabled automatically when a third-party antivirus product is installed and kept up to date.

    Disabling the Windows Security Center service will not disable Windows Defender AV or Windows Defender Firewall.


    It is highly recommended to not disable the Windows Security app.

    This will significantly lower the protection of your device and could lead to malware infection.



    EXAMPLE: Windows Security
    Enable or Disable Windows Security in Windows 10-windows_security.png



    Here's How:

    The downloadable .reg files below will modify the DWORD value in the registry keys below.

    (Windows Defender Security Center Service)
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SecurityHealthService

    (Security Center service)
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\wscsvc

    Start DWORD

    2 = Enable
    4 = Disable


    1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.


    2 To Enable Windows Security for All Users

    This is the default setting.

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

    Enable_Windows_Defender_Security_Center.reg

    Download


    3 To Disable Windows Security for All Users

    A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

    Disable_Windows_Defender_Security_Center.reg

    Download


    4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

    5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

    6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

    7 Restart the computer to apply.

    8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


    That's it,
    Shawn Brink






  1. Posts : 623
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    Antimalware Service Executable > Windows Defender Antivirus Service is hogging all the memory on an old laptop.
    I have disabled Windows Defender using the above regfile, but the Service continues to run after restart.

    I have gone into Services to disable it, but I am unable to do it. The settings are grayed out.

    I found this thread, but didn't notice any reasonable answer.

    Edit:
    I deleted the WinDefend service. All good.
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDefend
    Last edited by Stigg; 16 Jan 2021 at 18:57.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,668
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hello @Stigg,

    This tutorial will only disable the Windows Security app. It doesn't disable Windows Defender Antivirus.

    I'm glad you got it sorted though.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 144
    Windows 10 Pro Ghost Spectre 21H1 (2009) 19043.1021 x64 SUPERLITE
       #3

    Windows 10 Pro 1903.
    I have been fighting with Windows Defender for about a week..

    Setting Defender to disabled in Group Policy wouldn't work - it would always revert back to "Not Configured" with every reboot. Reg settings didn't work (Mickeysoft removed disabling Defender via registry). WinAero Tweaker disabling defender wouldn't work (it simply applies the Group Policy settings mentioned elsewhere). Grrrrrr!!

    Stigg said:
    Edit:
    I deleted the WinDefend service. All good.
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDefend
    I'm only replying to say thanks! This worked to permanently disable defender!
    I booted into safe mode, deleted the registry key (I exported the key to a file in case I ever want to turn Defender back on in the future) rebooted and no more defender process!

    Sorry Mickeysoft, you can't force your unwanted software components on me I will always find a way around you.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 18,044
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       #4

    Hello @ClippyBeer,

    ClippyBeer said:
    Setting Defender to disabled in Group Policy wouldn't work - it would always revert back to "Not Configured" with every reboot. Reg settings didn't work (Mickeysoft removed disabling Defender via registry). WinAero Tweaker disabling defender wouldn't work (it simply applies the Group Policy settings mentioned elsewhere). Grrrrrr!!

    I'm only replying to say thanks! This worked to permanently disable defender!
    I booted into safe mode, deleted the registry key (I exported the key to a file in case I ever want to turn Defender back on in the future) rebooted and no more defender process!

    Sorry Mickeysoft, you can't force your unwanted software components on me I will always find a way around you.

    Did you try the options in this Tutorial? . . .

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


  5. Posts : 144
    Windows 10 Pro Ghost Spectre 21H1 (2009) 19043.1021 x64 SUPERLITE
       #5

    I didn't see that thread till now despite lots of Google'ing...
    Hahaha I should have checked Sordum's website first, they have a Defender control tool. I am using Sordum's Update Blocker and it worked perfectly!

    Anyway I have Defender disabled permanently and know how to re-enable it if I choose (not likely).
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 18,044
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       #6

    ClippyBeer said:
    I didn't see that thread till now despite lots of Google'ing...
    Hahaha I should have checked Sordum's website first, they have a Defender control tool. I am using Sordum's Update Blocker and it worked perfectly!

    Anyway I have Defender disabled permanently and know how to re-enable it if I choose (not likely).
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 623
    Windows 10 Pro
       #7

    ClippyBeer said:
    Windows 10 Pro 1903.
    I have been fighting with Windows Defender for about a week..

    Setting Defender to disabled in Group Policy wouldn't work - it would always revert back to "Not Configured" with every reboot. Reg settings didn't work (Mickeysoft removed disabling Defender via registry). WinAero Tweaker disabling defender wouldn't work (it simply applies the Group Policy settings mentioned elsewhere). Grrrrrr!!



    I'm only replying to say thanks! This worked to permanently disable defender!
    I booted into safe mode, deleted the registry key (I exported the key to a file in case I ever want to turn Defender back on in the future) rebooted and no more defender process!

    Sorry Mickeysoft, you can't force your unwanted software components on me I will always find a way around you.
    I'm glad to know it worked for you too, ClippyBeer.

    The heavily taxing service is a real killer on older computers and it's the only way I know of to stop it sucking the life out of older systems. It's amazing how much your system will spring back to life after killing the Antimalware Service Executable > Windows Defender Antivirus Service.

    By the way, I have tried the solutions offered in the tutorial and also tried Sordum's tool, but the service continues to run.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 144
    Windows 10 Pro Ghost Spectre 21H1 (2009) 19043.1021 x64 SUPERLITE
       #8

    I too tried every solution offered, the most popular was Group Policy setting but it would undo the change every time I rebooted. Registry settings didn't work nor did Sordum's tool. Using your method not only worked but can be used to remove any other unnecessary service from starting up (Looking at you Find My Phone, currently it's disabled but still shows up in process explorer).
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 7,724
    3-Win-7Prox64 3-Win10Prox64 3-LinuxMint20.2
       #9

    Hi,
    Yeah defender ms turned it into pestware
      My Computers


 

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