Should You Ever Turn Off Windows Security? It's Tricky, But Here's My Rule Of Thumb

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There are times erstwhile you whitethorn want to move disconnected Windows Security.
I'll show you really to (temporarily aliases permanently) disable it connected Windows 11 Home and Pro.
I urge creating a reconstruct point, and will show you how.

Windows Security is simply a highly tin strategy guardian. In my "Best Antivirus for Windows 11" guide, I made nan lawsuit that it isn't conscionable a basal antivirus designed to beryllium a stopgap; it's a full-blown first-party information suite that monitors downloads, blocks incoming threats, and instantly quarantines malware if it manages to bypass each defenses.

As a Windows user, each you really request to beryllium protected against online threats is nan app, an advertisement blocker, and a secure browser for illustration Brave.

Also: How to upgrade your 'incompatible' Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 for free - today

However, location are times erstwhile you whitethorn want to disable Windows Security. In this guide, I will show you really to move disconnected Windows 11's security suite some temporarily and permanently. I'll besides spell complete what to support successful mind earlier messing pinch these settings, and really to create a System Restore constituent truthful you person a information nett successful lawsuit thing goes wrong.

Why would you want to disable Windows Security?

One communal logic a personification whitethorn want to disable Windows Security is that they request to instal third-party package that is blocked by nan suite. This tin see third-party antivirus programs, niche open-source software, aliases apps from mini developers.

IS SMALL nan adjective we want here? Or perhaps, "Less well-known"?

Windows Security tin besides sometimes falsely emblem safe programs arsenic dangerous. If you sojourn GitHub, you'll find posts from group complaining astir really Windows Defender (Windows' antivirus tool) flags definite task releases arsenic trojans, moreover though they're safe.

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It's not conscionable open-source projects, either, arsenic video games person been stopped by Windows Security. On Reddit, this screenshot **WHICH SCREENSHOT?** of Windows Security quarantining nan crippled "Digital Combat Simulator" shows that this is not an uncommon occurrence.

There are other, much niche reasons for disabling nan information tool. IT professionals whitethorn want to disable it to forestall conflicts connected a network. In fact, Microsoft really recommends turning disconnected aliases uninstalling nan antivirus successful bid to "prevent problems caused by having aggregate antivirus products installed connected a server."

The supra conception should beryllium expanded a spot to talk situations wherever 1 mightiness want to disable temporarily vs situations wherever 1 mightiness want to disable permanently. That's not clear now. Related point: 1 script wherever disabling permanently makes consciousness would beryllium if nan personification prefers to tally third-party protection successful place of windows security. I deliberation that constituent needs to beryllium made much intelligibly arsenic well.

How to temporarily disable Windows Security

Launch nan Windows Security app via nan hunt bar. Once open, navigate to Virus & threat protection > Manage settings > Real-time protection.

Toggle nan Real-time protection move off. You whitethorn person a User Account Control (UAC) punctual asking if you want to let nan alteration to occur. Select Yes.

When you're fresh to move strategy protection backmost on, return to nan aforesaid location successful Windows Security and re-toggle Real-time protection. The instrumentality will resume scanning your files immediately.

COMPARING THIS TO THE PERMANENTLY DISABLE PROCESS (in WINDOWS 11 PRO) BELOW, IT'S NOT CLEAR WHY ONE IS TEMPORARY AND THE OTHER IS PERMANENT...? (since successful each lawsuit we picture really to re-enable)

AFAIK, THE SIGNIFICANT BIT ABOUT THE TEMPORARY OPTION IS THAT A REBOOT AUTOMATICALLY TURNS WINDOWS SECURITY BACK ON. WE SHOULD MENTION THAT.

How to permanently disable Windows Security

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The process of permanently disabling Windows Security depends connected whether you're moving Windows 11 Home aliases Windows 11 Pro. If you're unsure which version you have, unfastened nan Settings app, navigate to System > About, past cheque nan Windows specifications. Next to Edition, it will authorities whether you person Windows 11 Home aliases Pro.

If you're utilizing Windows 11 Pro, nan safest measurement to permanently disable Windows Security is to do it via nan Local Group Policy Editor.

Start by pressing Win + R to unfastened nan Run command. Alternatively, you tin right-click nan Windows icon and prime Run.
Type gpedit.msc into nan command, past deed Enter to motorboat nan Group Policy Editor.
Follow this path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus.

Locate Turn disconnected Microsoft Defender Antivirus successful nan database below.
Double-click nan argumentation > prime Enabled > Apply > OK.
Restart your machine to use nan changes.

To re-enable Windows Security, return to nan aforesaid argumentation settings, prime Disabled, click Apply > OK, past restart your computer.

Also: 12 free ways to find and region viruses connected your PC - that really work

Windows 11 Home doesn't supply entree to nan Group Policy Editor by default. It's safer to disable Windows Security by toggling disconnected Real-time Protection for a momentary pause, but you tin disable nan instrumentality permanently via nan Registry Editor.

***************

reword supra to:

Windows 11 Home doesn't supply entree to nan Group Policy Editor by default; it's safer to temporarily disable Windows Security, arsenic described above. However, you tin disable nan instrumentality permanently via nan Registry Editor.
********************

Start by pressing Win + R to unfastened nan Run command. Alternatively, you tin right-click nan Windows icon and prime Run.
Type gpedit.msc into nan command, past deed Enter to motorboat nan Group Policy Editor.
Copy and paste nan pursuing way to nan navigation barroom astatine nan top:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

Right-click connected an quiet area successful nan right-hand panel, prime New successful nan discourse paper > DWORD (32-bit) Value > sanction it "DisableAntiSpyware".
Double-click DisableAntiSpyware, group nan worth information to 1, and click OK.
Restart your machine to disable Windows Security.

To re-enable nan instrumentality via nan Registry Editor, return to nan aforesaid value, group its information to 0, and reboot.

Is it vulnerable to permanently disable Windows Security?

As agelong arsenic you travel these steps, you'll beryllium good pinch permanently disabling Windows Security. That said, it's not thing that you should do lightly. Doing truthful will let you to customize nan OS to meet your needs, though location are risks involved.

The biggest consequence is that it exposes you to conscionable astir each type of online threat. I'm talking viruses, ransomware, spyware, phishing attempts, and trojans, conscionable to sanction a few. Without nan protect package moving successful nan background, you're only arsenic safe arsenic your habits, and moreover then, you're still vulnerable. According to Microsoft, immoderate of nan astir communal vectors of infection see malicious Office macros, infected software, and compromised web pages.

Also: I deliberation I cognize what's coming successful Windows 12, and you're not going to for illustration it

I besides want to impulse be aware erstwhile venturing into nan Registry Editor. The instrumentality grants entree to low-level strategy settings that aren't accessible done surface-level apps. However, modifying nan registry can origin strategy instability, resulting successful random crashes aliases surgery features.

Reinstalling Windows 11 whitethorn resoluteness this issue, but moreover Microsoft acknowledges that it cannot guarantee solutions to problems that stem from incorrect usage of nan Registry Editor. If you're unsure, I urge against doing this.

How to create a reconstruct point

If you still scheme connected editing nan registry, I highly urge backing up Windows 11 beforehand. You person a mates of options. ZDNET contributing writer Ed Bott has a guideline connected creating a Windows betterment drive arsenic a useful lifeline successful lawsuit Windows 11 becomes unstable. I, connected nan different hand, propose creating a reconstruct point. It doesn't require a betterment drive.

SO WE'RE OK WITH OUR CONTRIBUTORS GIVING DIFFERENT ADVICE ON THIS POINT? JUST ASKING

Open Windows Search, type successful "Create a reconstruct point," and prime nan apical result. In nan System Protection tab, click nan Create button. When prompted, springiness nan reconstruct constituent a short description, for illustration "Restore Windows 11 to earlier state". Note that you are constricted to 63 characters.

Select Create > [wait for nan process to finish, then] > Close > OK. To reconstruct that earlier point, relaunch nan restoring tool, click System Restore > Next > prime a reconstruct constituent > Next > Finish.

Should you ever move disconnected Windows Security?

There are a fewer instances wherever you can, and possibly should, move disconnected Windows Security, specified arsenic erstwhile downloading package from GitHub (that's erstwhile I do it). Even then, you should only do it temporarily whenever possible. Windows Security is simply a robust defense strategy that actively protects your PC from vulnerable malware. Disabling it increases nan likelihood of infections arsenic good arsenic a driblet successful performance.

If you scheme to disable Windows Security, either temporarily aliases permanently, do truthful pinch caution. Follow nan steps that I've given. Keep a reconstruct constituent connected manus and reactivate nan protection arsenic soon arsenic you're done.

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I've spent astir a decade reviewing hardware, software, troubleshooting Windows systems, and helping group get much retired of their PCs. Over those years, I've worked extensively crossed some Windows 10 and Windows 11. The astir important point I've learned successful that clip framework is really important it is to negociate your system's settings. I routinely activity pinch strategy betterment devices and devices for illustration nan Group Policy Editor arsenic portion of my accustomed accent tests erstwhile reviewing products, but conscionable arsenic importantly, I constitute guides.

Also: How to get free Windows 10 information patches connected your PC - from now to October 2026

I strive to thief mundane group by breaking down method concepts and fixes into easy-to-follow, safe instructions that anyone tin follow. When I urge a method (or pass distant from one), it's based connected firsthand experience.

My extremity is to thief you build assurance erstwhile navigating these low-level strategy settings, truthful you don't consciousness intimidated by them. With nan correct information, you'll beryllium capable to make nan accommodation you want while keeping your strategy safe.