The Windows 10 operating system comes standard with Microsoft Defender Antivirus. That program protects your device and files against viruses, ransomware, spyware, rootkits, hackers and malware. But sometimes you have to disable the program for some reason. How do you do that?
Microsoft Defender Antivirus is a robust Windows 10 program, but it can sometimes get in the way of everyday use. And then there are tasks that are actually safe (that you know for sure are safe), but the program still blocks a specific file. For example, an installation that prevents a lot of problems can be prevented, but that is annoying when you know for sure that the source of the file can be trusted.
That is why it is useful to know how to disable the program in those situations, so that you can continue where you left off. Please note, because this is not entirely without risk. Only do this when you are one hundred percent convinced that it will not go wrong.
Scale out Microsoft Defender Antivirus
You open the Start menu and search for Windows security. While typing, one search result will appear, so click there (don't forget the underscore!). In the window that opens, click Virus & Threat Protection at. Under the Virus & threat protection settings heading, click now Manage settings.
At the top of that page is a heading called Real-time Protection, along with a slider that is now blue and set to On. Click the controller, which is now black and set to Off. It is possible that another dialog box will appear asking if you are sure that the program is allowed to change the settings. Confirm your choice here.
Now that the Microsoft Defender Antivirus is temporarily disabled, you can run and complete your task. It is important that you enable the program after completing the task. You then go to the same page again (Windows Security / Virus & Threat Protection / Institutions / Real-time protection) to make the slider blue again.
Control via Powershell
If you work a lot with Windows 10 Powershell, you can also disable the Microsoft Defender Antivirus there. After opening the Powershell (as administrator), enter the following line:
Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $true
Enabling the program happens when you restart your computer or when you copy the following line (unfortunately you can't copy such):
Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $false
So if you temporarily disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus, don't forget to reactivate it afterwards.
