Windows Defender, also known by its original name as Microsoft AntiSpyware, is a Microsoft product that aims to prevent and isolate spyware. However, in some cases, if Windows Defender is not turned off, users will not be able to install additional 3rd party software, especially anti-virus software.
This is a sad fact and contrary to the myth that this is a tool to completely protect computers, Microsoft has announced that: "Actually, Windows Defender is just a basic software". and to ensure your computer against the risk of being infected with viruses, spyware, trojans, it is best to use additional antivirus software such as: Avira Free Antivirus , AVG Antivirus , Avast Free Antivirus , Panda Free Antivirus , Comodo Antivirus or Kaspersky ...
Back to the problem, we can see that Windows Defender not only does not work as well as users want, but this tool is quite "conservative" and annoying when not allowing the installation of additional software from outside. The only way is to disable Windows Defender on the computer.
How to turn on / off Windows Defender on Windows 7
Turn off Windows Defender from Control Panel
Step 1: From the main interface of the screen, click on the Windows icon , select the Control Panel item .
Step 2: In the new interface, find and click on Windows Defender.
Step 3: Continue to click the Tools icon (gear).
Step 4: Click on Options .
Step 5: Put a checkmark in the Use this program section and Save again to finish.
However, if your purpose is to turn off Windows Defender to install additional anti-virus software, it is best to turn off the firewall system - Windows Firewall on the computer.
Disable the Windows Firewall
Step 1: Also from the All Control Panel Items interface , click on the Windows Firewall item .
Step 2: Click the left mouse button on Turn Windows Firewall on or off.
Interface when the firewall has not been disabled
Step 3: Tick Turn off Windows Firewall (not recommended) in 2 items:
- Home or work (private) net work location settings.
- Public network location settings.
Tick Turn off Windows Firewall (not recommended) and OK
When Windows Firewall is turned off, it will look like this:
Disable Windows Defender from the system
Step 1: From the computer screen, press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box. Enter the keyword "Services.msc" and then OK.
Step 2: In the Services window, find the item Windows Defender (being Automatic), then double-click on the line containing it.
Step 3: Here, select the General tab , then go to Startup type and change its setting to Disabled.
Set the mode to Disable and then OK
At this point, we will see the Windows Defender item has been changed to Disabled.
How to turn on Windows Defender
If you want to activate Windows Defender again, just do the above operations in reverse order and also in reverse order. It mean:
- Activate Windows Defender from the previous system: Set the Startup type from Disable to Automatic .
- Turn on Windows Firewall .
- Turn on the last Windows Defender.
How to turn on / off Windows Defender in Windows 10
In Windows 10 , Windows Defender has a small shield icon located on the taskbar. This icon can be hidden in the menu that appears when you click on the caret icon on the taskbar.
If you disable Defender, your computer will not be secure. At that time, the shield icon will have a small cross in its lower right corner. Click on this icon to open the Defender application, then check if the Defender is running or turned off.
If you can't find this icon, type Defender in the search bar of the Start menu, select the first result to open Windows Defender.
As you can see, the screenshot above has a lot of red - the hamburger menu, the Turn on button and the screenshot with an x in it. This means that Defender is turned off. If Windows Defender is on, all red will turn green.
If you have enabled Defender but you still see red, it may be because this application requires users to update data. You can allow it to search for updates from the main Windows Defender control panel.
How to turn on Windows Defender in Windows 10
If you don't touch Windows Defender and it suddenly turns off, it's probably because you have other antivirus software installed on your computer (check Control Panel> Security and Maintenance ).
You should disable and uninstall this application before running Windows Defender to avoid software conflicts. You can uninstall it in Control Panel> Programs and Features .
Open Windows Defender using the steps mentioned above, then click the red Turn on button . Defender will start monitoring and protecting the computer.
To know exactly what Windows Defender is protecting, click the Settings icon on the screen.
You will see the Windows Defender real-time protection button turn on .
How to turn off Windows Defender in Windows 10
Method 1: Temporarily turn off Windows Defender
Step 1: Click " Settings " in " Start Menu ". Then select " Update & Security ".
Step 2: Select " Windows Security " from the left panel and click " Open Windows Defender Security Center ".
Step 3: Open Windows Defender settings , then click on the " Virus & Threat Protection settings " link.
Step 4: Click the Real-Time Protection , Cloud-Delivered Protection and Automatic Sample Submission buttons to turn off Windows Defender.
Method 2: Use Group Policy to turn off Windows Defender
Step 1: Press " Win + R " and type " gpedit.msc ", then press Enter or OK .
Step 2: Click Computer Configuration> Administrative Templates .
Step 3: Click " Windows Components "> double-click " Windows Defender Antivirus ".
Step 4: Double click " Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus ".
Finally, select the Enable button on the left and click OK .
Download.com.vn has shown you how to turn on Windows Defender and turn off Windows Defender on your computer to be able to install other software. If you encounter errors in the use of your computer and cannot install new software, you should pay attention to this issue.