Windows Defender - Turn On or Off

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    Windows Defender - Turn On or Off

    Windows Defender - Turn On or Off

    How to Turn Windows Defender On or Off in Windows 7
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Turn Windows Defender On or Off in Windows 7

       Information
    This will show you how to turn Windows Defender On or Off in Windows 7. When Windows Defender is on, you will be alerted when spyware and other potentially unwanted software tries to install itself or run on your computer. By default, Windows Defender is turned on in Windows 7.

       Note
    If you installed Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE), then it will disable Window Defender by default, and MSE will be used by instead. You will not be able to turn on Windows Defender as long as you have MSE installed.

    The release of the Microsoft Safety Scanner has resulted in confusion about the available anti-malware tools provided by Microsoft and questions about when they should be used.

    Read more at: Understanding Microsoft Anti-Malware Software ~ Security Garden

       Warning
    It's important to run antispyware software whenever you're using your computer. Spyware and other potentially unwanted software can try to install itself on your computer any time you connect to the Internet. It can also infect your computer when you install some programs using a CD, DVD, or other removable media. Spyware or potentially unwanted software can also be programmed to run at unexpected times, not just when it's installed.






    OPTION ONE

    Turn Off Windows Defender


    1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on the Windows Defender icon.

    2. Click on Tools on the toolbar at the top. (see screenshot below)
    Windows Defender - Turn On or Off-step1.jpg
    3. Under Settings, click on Options. (see screenshot below)
    Windows Defender - Turn On or Off-step2.jpg
    4. In the left pane, click on Administrator. (see screenshot below)
    Windows Defender - Turn On or Off-step3.jpg
    5. Uncheck the Use this program box. (see screenshot below step 4)

    7. Click on the Save button. (see screenshot below step 4)

    8. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.

    9. Click on the Close button. (see screenshot below)
    Windows Defender - Turn On or Off-off.jpg
       Note
    If you continue to get a Windows Defender pop-up after turning it off, then you can disable the "Windows Defender" service to stop it.



    OPTION TWO

    Turn On Windows Defender


    1. Double check to make sure that the "Windows Defender" service is enabled and set to Automatic (Delayed Start).

    2. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on the Windows Defender icon.

    3. Click on the click here to turn it on link. (see screenshot below)
    NOTE: This will take a moment to finish.
    Windows Defender - Turn On or Off-.jpg
    4. When finished, close the Windows Defender window. (see screenshot below step 2 in OPTION ONE)
    NOTE: To help prevent spyware and other potentially unwanted software from running on your computer, it is recommended that you also turn on Windows Defender real-time protection and select all real-time protection options.
    That's it,
    Shawn












  1. Posts : 1
    windows 7
       #1

    windows defender turned off but keeps popping up
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,612
    Operating System : Windows 7 Home Premium Edition 6.01.7600 SP1 (x64)
       #2

    smoothie09 said:
    windows defender turned off but keeps popping up
    great tutorial as always brink :) i always check mine is disabled in services too.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Windows Defender - Turn On or Off-brys-snap-13-march-2011-12h34m34s.png  
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 19
    windows7 ultimate x32
       #3

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\services\WinDefend]
    "Start"=dword:00000004

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\WinDefend]
    "Start"=dword:00000004
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Hello Nalbe,

    Thank you, but it would be this instead.

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Defender]

    ON
    "DisableAntiSpyware"=dword:00000000

    OFF
    "DisableAntiSpyware"=dword:00000001
    Last edited by Brink; 26 Feb 2012 at 12:21. Reason: typo
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 178
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit & Windows Pro 64 bit
       #5

    Brink, will this prevent the covert updates to Defender known as "critical updates"? I had set defender up as you showed with the exception of "Uncheck the Use this program box". Don't know how I missed it but I did. Over the past 4 weeks, Defender update KB915597 has messed up my machine 8 times resulting in me doing complete clean installs, which I am getting really good at. I am not real happy with MS Updates. In addition to the Defender update, NetFramework KB958488 also screwed up my machine twice. Just finished a complete redo last night only to find the Defender update had covertly installed around noon yesterday. Waiting to see the issues began. Got to be some way to totally stop the updates as I am totally paranoid.
    Ron Burnes
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Hello Ron,

    Personally, I would ditch Windows Defender by installing MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials). It's a lot better IMO. Either way, the updates for Windows Defender or MSE are definition updates that need to be installed to help keep your system protected from the latest malware and virus threats.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5
    win 7
       #7

    Brink said:
    Hello Ron,

    Personally, I would ditch Windows Defender by installing MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials). It's a lot better IMO. Either way, the updates for Windows Defender or MSE are definition updates that need to be installed to help keep your system protected from the latest malware and virus threats.
    Get rid of defender. Ire mse instead it our much better
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 178
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit & Windows Pro 64 bit
       #8

    I have been running Avast for a couple years. Is MSE better?
    Ron Burnes
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 71,959
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #9

    They're about the same, but I like MSE better.
      My Computer


 
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