How to Stop Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service in 2025 by Marlene Baiton

Marlene Baiton

Updated on: May 12, 2025
Editor

The Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service is a legitimate Windows process. It scans files, monitors for malware, and powers Microsoft Defender’s core security features. But sometimes, it can cause performance issues or conflict with other apps.

If you think your PC is infected with malware, disabling it isn’t the right move. This could leave your system vulnerable, and the service may just restart the next time you reboot. A better approach is to install a reliable antivirus app, which will automatically disable Microsoft Defender and give you much better protection. For example, a good antivirus like Norton offers much better malware detection and real-time defenses than Defender.

After that, if you’re still set on disabling Microsoft Defender manually, there are a few ways to do it. The process is tedious, but with the right steps, you can turn it off temporarily or permanently. Here’s how to do it safely.

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How to Stop Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service

You can temporarily or more “permanently” disable Microsoft Defender. Temporarily disabling it usually means turning off real-time protection in the Windows Security settings. This is generally considered safe and easy to undo, and it’s useful if Defender is blocking an app or update you know is safe. That said, you can also whitelist apps that are safe.

Disabling Defender Antivirus Service permanently is more complicated and comes with serious risks. You’ll need to edit the Windows Registry or use the Group Policy Editor — but even then, it’s still not truly “permanent”. Microsoft Defender is deeply built into Windows, so updates can re-enable it automatically, and the Security Center might still show alerts that your antivirus is off.

It’s also easy to make a mistake if you go this route. Changing system settings like these can lead to stability problems or leave your PC vulnerable if something goes wrong.

If Microsoft Defender is slowing down your PC or clashing with other software, it might be safer to disable it temporarily or switch to another antivirus altogether. Microsoft Defender isn’t quite as good as standalone antivirus apps, which offer far superior protection without the system slowdown.

How to Temporarily Disable Microsoft Defender’s Real-Time Protections

You can temporarily disable Microsoft Defender’s real-time protections, which can help if it’s blocking a trusted app or bogging down your PC’s performance. This method is quick and safe, and it only pauses active scanning until you restart your device or re-enable it. Here’s how:

1. Click the Windows button and start typing “settings”. When Settings appears with the cogwheel icon, click on it.

2. In the left menu, click Privacy & security, then Windows Security.

3. Click Virus & threat protection.

4. Under Virus & threat protection settings, click Manage settings.

5. Under Real-time protection, toggle the switch to the off position.

How to Stop Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service Permanently

There are a few methods for disabling Microsoft Defender permanently. However, while each method works to a certain degree, Method 3 is the only one that works 100% of the time.

Method 1. Disable Microsoft Defender “Semi-Permanently” With Group Policy Editor

To use Group Policy Editor, you’ll need to have Windows Pro or Enterprise. If you have any other version, you won’t be able to use this method. In that case, you’ll need to use the registry editor method. That said, here’s how to disable Microsoft Defender “semi-permanently” with Group Policy Editor. The first step is to disable Tamper Protection.

Note: Keep in mind that no method is guaranteed to be 100% permanent, as group policy changes are often reset with Windows updates.

1. Click the Windows logo and search for “tamper protection”. Click it when it appears.

2. Under Tamper Protection, toggle the switch to the “off” position.

3. Exit out of all screens back to the desktop, then press the Windows key + the “r” key. In the dialogue box, type “gpedit.msc” and hit Enter.

4. Navigate to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Microsoft Defender Antivirus. Once there, double-click Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus.

5. Set the radio button to Enabled, click Apply, then OK.

6. Restart your PC, and follow steps 3 through 5 again to confirm this worked. If not, try repeating steps 1 through 5 again, or move on to method 2.

Method 2. Disable Microsoft Defender “Semi-Permanently” by Editing the Registry

Windows Home users don’t have access to the Group Policy Editor, so you’ll need to make changes directly to the registry instead. This method is useful if method 1 didn’t work or if you’re using Windows Home. Here’s how to disable Microsoft Defender using registry edits:

1. Tap the Windows key + the “r” key on your keyboard, and type “regedit”. Then, hit Enter.

2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE → SOFTWARE → Policies → Microsoft → Windows Defender. Click on the Windows Defender folder. On the right side, right-click and choose New → DWORD (32-bit value).

3. Give it the name “DisableAntiSpyware”.

4. Double-click your newly created entry, give it a value of 1, and click OK. Make sure not to change the Base setting.

5. Restart your PC, and you should be good to go! But again, keep in mind this isn’t a permanent solution. If you want a 100% reliable and permanent way to disable Microsoft Defender, you’ll need to move on to method 3.

Method 3. Install an Antivirus App

Microsoft Defender automatically disables itself when you install another antivirus app. This is also a good option if you suspect your Windows PC is infected with malware. A reliable antivirus app can help resolve any issues, and many top antivirus apps are less resource-intensive, so they won’t slow down your PC like Microsoft Defender can.

Unlike the other methods I’ve discussed, this one works 100% of the time, is much easier, and offers better protection. Norton is the best antivirus app for this purpose. It disables Microsoft Defender while keeping your computer protected from malware and other threats.

Here’s how to install Norton (the process is nearly the same for any antivirus you choose):

1. Visit the Norton website and choose a plan that fits your needs.

2. Enter your payment details, then click Next.

3. Continue to download and install the app from the “My Norton” portal, and follow the installer wizard to set it up. Once installed, Microsoft Defender will automatically disable itself.

4. To check your PC for malware, open the app and run a full system scan.

Potential Risks of Stopping the Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service

Disabling Microsoft Defender can open the door to bigger problems. Here’s what can happen if you go through with it:

• System instability or crashes. Editing core Defender settings through unsupported methods can break critical Windows components. This can make your system unstable or even unbootable. If your computer doesn’t start up, you can use a bootable antivirus to help you repair your device and allow it to function normally again.
• Defender auto-reactivation. Even if you disable it, Defender often re-enables itself after a reboot or Windows update. This makes some “permanent” methods more temporary than they seem.
• Conflicts with Windows Security. Turning Defender off without a proper replacement may confuse the Windows Security Center. It might falsely report that you’re still protected.
• Blocked Windows updates. Some aggressive disabling methods can interfere with Windows Update. This can lead to failed system updates or missing critical security patches.
• Tamper Protection bypass risks. Tamper Protection exists to stop unauthorized changes. Trying to force changes can corrupt Defender or stop it from logging threats properly.
• Exposure to malware. If you don’t install another antivirus, turning off Defender leaves your system wide open. It’s a risky move if you browse the web, download files, or check your email regularly.
• Disabling essential security tools. You might unintentionally turn off more than just antivirus protection. Defender also handles real-time scanning, cloud protection, and firewall features in some versions of Windows.
• Increased vulnerability to exploits. With Defender gone, malware and hackers may have an easier time installing persistent threats. Some advanced attacks even rely on Defender being disabled to succeed.

What to Do if Microsoft Defender Is Slowing Down Your PC

There are better options than turning off Microsoft Defender if it’s slowing down your PC. Since disabling it can come with severe consequences, here’s what you can try first instead:

What to Do if Microsoft Defender is Blocking Apps

Sometimes, Microsoft Defender flags apps it thinks are malicious. If it’s blocking an app you trust, you can allow it through firewall settings. Here’s how:

1. Select the Start button and type “firewall”. Click on Windows Defender Firewall when it appears.

2. In the left pane, choose Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.

3. Find the app you want to unblock in the list and ensure both Private and Public checkboxes are selected next to it.

4. If the app isn’t listed, click Change settings → Allow another app → Browse to find the app’s location.

5. Once you locate the app, click on it to make it the active selection, then click Open.

6. From there, confirm your settings, and then you should be able to launch the app normally.

Frequently Asked Questions