Vista: How to Disable Windows Defender

Contributed by shamanstears September 19, 2007  
Tagged: Microsoft Vista

Windows Defender protects your computer against spyware. However if you wish to use another application to fill this need or if you feel confident that you don’t need it, you can disable Windows Defender by following these steps:

1. Open Windows Defender.

2. Select Tools

3. Select Options.

4. Scroll to the bottom of the list.

5. Under Administrator options, uncheck the Use Windows Defender checkbox.

6. Click Save.

7. When the UAC prompt appears, click Continue.

A window will then appear, notifying you that Windows Defender is turned off. Click Close.

To turn Windows Defender back on, start the application and a window like the one above will appear. Click Turn on and open Windows Defender.