Windows 11 · Windows
How to Temporarily Turn Off Microsoft Defender in Windows 11
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings, then turn off Real-time protection temporarily. Windows turns it back on automatically; leave protection enabled unless you are diagnosing a trusted file or another compatible antivirus is active.
Open Windows Security
Open Start, type Windows Security, and select the matching system app. Choose Virus & threat protection; do not download a separate Defender utility.
Open protection settings
Under Virus & threat protection settings, select Manage settings. If the device is managed by work or school, policy may prevent this change.
Turn off real-time protection briefly
Turn Real-time protection off and approve the Windows security prompt. Files opened or downloaded while it is off are not scanned, so keep the test short and avoid unknown downloads.
Test only the trusted task
Retry the specific trusted app or file that prompted the test. If it still fails, turn protection back on and investigate the actual error instead of disabling more security controls.
Turn protection back on
Return to Manage settings and turn Real-time protection on. Windows normally re-enables it automatically, but verify the switch and the green status yourself before opening email attachments, browsers, downloads, or removable drives.
Use a narrow exclusion only when justified
If a verified developer or administrator requires an exclusion, exclude only the exact trusted file or folder. Never exclude Downloads, the whole drive, or a folder containing untrusted files.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If Tamper Protection or organization policy blocks the switch, do not bypass it; ask the device administrator.
- If another compatible antivirus is installed, Windows may place Defender in passive mode automatically; confirm protection in Windows Security.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.