Windows 11 · Windows 11

Temporarily Turn Off Microsoft Defender in Windows 11

Source-checked About 5 minutes

Answer

Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings, then turn off Real-time protection only for the short test you need. Windows normally turns it back on automatically. Leave cloud protection and the firewall alone, and turn real-time protection back on immediately after testing a file you trust.

Before you continue
  • Use a trusted file onlyDo not disable protection to run an unknown download.
  • Keep the test shortOpened files are not scanned while protection is off.
  • Turn it back onCheck the switch after the test.
Read Microsoft's Windows Security guidance
Guide steps7 steps
  1. Confirm why protection must be paused
  2. Open Windows Security
  3. Open protection settings
  4. Turn off Real-time protection
  5. Run the one trusted test
  6. Turn protection back on
  7. Use a narrow exclusion only if justified
  8. If it still does not work

Confirm why protection must be paused

Use this only when a trusted developer or support technician needs one controlled test. Scan the file and verify its publisher first.

Open Windows Security

Open Start, type Windows Security, and select the app with Microsoft's shield icon.

Open protection settings

Choose Virus & threat protection, then Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings.

Turn off Real-time protection

Switch Real-time protection off and approve the Windows prompt. Do not disable the firewall or other protections.

Run the one trusted test

Open only the known file or repeat only the action that was being blocked. Stop if any unexpected prompt or download appears.

Turn protection back on

Return to the same screen and enable Real-time protection. Run a quick scan if the file behaved unexpectedly.

Use a narrow exclusion only if justified

If a verified developer documents a false positive, exclude only the exact file or folder and understand that excluded content is not scanned.

Read Microsoft's protection guidance

If it does not work

  • If the switch is locked, another antivirus or organization policy controls it. Do not bypass that policy.
  • If Windows re-enables protection before the test, that is expected; do not fight the automatic safeguard.
  • If the download asks you to disable several protections, treat that as a warning and do not run it.
Sources and verification

Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows 11.

The written instructions were checked against the current official pages linked below. The older video is kept for reference and may show different menus.

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