TURNING OFF WINDOWS DEFENDER.

""My question is: Why do you need to disable WD?"" It's about freedom. Something that I cherish dearly and i see it slipping away on every level. The scariest thing about it is, there are always enough people around who agree with this and want me to agree with it also...!!

Thank you for taking the time to reply. It is most appreciated.

Hey there Paul!

My name is Miguel Ángel and I'm an independent advisor, also a Microsoft user just like you! I'll try to help you today with your issue.

Disabling Windows Defender is a really risky choice. If you want any other antivirus, you can install them and Windows Defender will automatically be replaced by the newly installed antivirus that you choose. I think that would be a better option than disabling Windows Defender completely, so your PC is never in risk.

However, if you still want it to be disabled, we'll follow some steps.

1. Press Windows + R and type 'regedit'.
2. Once inside, follow the path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender.
3. In that folder, create a DWORD (32-bit) key. You can do that right-clicking on the Windows Defender folder, and going to New.
4. Set the DWORD title do DisableAntiSpyware.and change its value to 1.

Doing this, Windows Defender should be permanently disabled. However, I don't recommend this and I think you should probably install a new antivirus, so your computer isn't unprotected at any time.

I'll wait for your reply! Don't worry, everything will be okay.

Hugs,

Miguel Ángel :)

Hey PaulPRT,

Wow. You bring up some things that were not addressed in any replies that I resonate with.

First, you bought the OS, and in a practical sense you do own the software only to load onto your PC. Microsoft "owns" the OS, there is no question about this. You need to evaluate what you truly own when it comes to software, or anything with an IP address.

I have seen my local group and security policy settings change virtually in front of my eyes. To be fair, it is easy to do dumb things when you have a little bit of knowledge, so Microsoft will make it right for you. I once felt the way you do, and now I realize that you have "some" control over the OS, but in no way can you own it.

My firewall settings. To me, if I want to prevent something, like a calculator, from accessing the internet, I should be able to freely do so. A calculator with an internet connection for uncertain reasons? I think not. I have since learned how to do this, but it is not intuitive,

I thought that if you just took the network cable off the PC it would help. Take a look at your logs with no internet connection. Everything relies on a connection to a resource that controls your OS.

On a final note: Please read the updated Microsoft Privacy Policy. If you still feel the same about "ownership," maybe you should go to Linux. It is a head-spinning document that pulls no punches. There is no misunderstanding or problem interpreting the central point of the policy IF you have read the entire document, sober.

My question is: Why do you need to disable WD? Windows 10 detects the presence of another AV and you can manage the provider in Settings. Miguel's comment is true, it's a bad idea to disable WD through the registry. The reasons are many, but definitive.

Windows 10:

1.) Is unownable

2.) Will change what you have done if it does not fit Microsoft criteria

3.) Programs can never be truly uninstalled

4.) Many services are never really disabled

5.) Highly interdependent processes and threads

6.) Is a gaping maw that collects a massive amount of data on your PC

7.) Is host to other vendors SW like Adobe - who, like Intel, has followed MS path of harvesting every variable piece of data on your PC - without your knowledge

8.) Does not tell you about any of this

Have fun and don't execute any unsigned binaries !

<>

If you really want Windows Security disabled and with no chance of it turning itself back on, refer to the following article:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/110230-enable-disable-windows-security-windows-10-a.html

In general: Installing another Antivirus program will automatically disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus.

It's not advisable to not use any Antivirus program...

> https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5918-how-turn-off-microsoft-defender-antivirus-windows-10-a.html

You might want to read:

Best Practices for Safe Computing - Prevention of Malware Infection

especially

• Choosing an Anti-Virus Program
• Safe Steps for Replacing your Anti-virus - Why should you use Antivirus software?
• Supplementing your Anti-Virus Program with Anti-Malware Tools