windows 10windows-defender
Windows Defender keeps blocking a third-party program that I know isn't a threat. All my attempts to disable Windows Defender have failed.
I've tried to:
How do I turn it off permanently?
Found the answer myself (more details here). Basically, it's as simple as setting the Group Policy called Monitor file and program activity on your computer to Disabled.
For users of Windows editions without gpedit.msc, a DWORD entry called DisableOnAccessProtection must be created under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection and set to 1.
The name of this registry entry tells you exactly what "Monitor file and program activity" actually do: It scans files "On Access" (such as when Windows Explorer lists the contents of a directory). Nothing more.
The safest way to do this is to uninstall Avast! (in Programs and Features) and then to reinstall it. That will ensure that MS hasn't removed any part of the Avast! suite's protection. Reinstalling Avast! will then disable Defender correctly.
Merely shutting Windows Defender does not guarantee that third-party AV will be working properly.
Postscript: As has noted in comments, recent Windows updates reinstall Defender, even though third-party AV has already been installed. There is not much impact, I find, except on cold boot, but scheduled scans can be disabled in Scheduled Tasks. For example, using Nisoft's TaskSchedulerView, right-click on an item and select Disable.
Also turn off scans and the alert message in the Windows Defender Security Center that Defender.
Best Answer
Type in Defender into the search bar, and click on the Defender program in the list. When Windows Defender opens, click Settings and turn off real time protection. I just noticed that it will reenable it automatically after some time, geez.
I suppose you will could install some third-party antivirus software that does not flag hack tools and such as a threat. There is a third-party application called NoDefender to disable it permanently, but I have not tried it or can vouch for it or what it actually does to accomplish this. I found this note on another website, but I am not sure if it is true or not. Better make a restore point anyway.
Another method is to rename the Defender program folder. This must be done from a Linux Live DVD or USB:
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender.Another method is to disable the Defender Service from starting in the Windows registry as it cannot be done from Services directly as options are grayed out.
Open regedit and go to
Open the subkey corresponding to the service you wish to change (WinDefend), and modify the value of 'Start' to equal either "2" (for automatic), "3" (for manual), or "4" (for disabled).
(Registry edits have the advantage for Windows Home or lower versions, as they do not have Group Policy Editor to do it as suggested by Nate's answer.)
Alternative solution if this does not work for you