I can't turn off real time protection.

Hello awais79,

If you haven't already, you will need to turn off Tamper Protection first before you will be able to disable real time protection. The tutorial below can help show you more on this if needed.

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/enable-or-disable-real-time-protection-for-microsoft-defender-antivirus-in-windows-11.3989/

Thank you for responding. Funny thing is that I just installed a third-party antivirus and I was able to turn off real-time protection.

Hi Awais. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

Windows will not let you turn off basic built-in protection from Defender and Firewall, unless another is installed in it's place which should switch it off.

This is because being able to go unprotected would place the entire WIndows eco-system at risk of easy infection by serious global malware infection which can spread like wildfire.

The threat is so great that Microsoft operates 24/7 global security command centers on all continents which are constantly engaged in battle with malware spread. Even one device without protection can give these infections a toehold.

I would use built-in Defender which gives adequate protection, best Windows performance, least issues, and is from Microsoft who knows how to protect their OS best. If you have a rare situation where Defender is causing an issue, I can help you fix it as it's impact for the overwhelming number of users is almost invisible, yet adequate, protection.

If you want the best on-demand scanner install and run Malwarebytes free scanner. https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/. You can turn off the free trial in Account Settings to keep it only as a free scanner.

As long as you use safe browsing habits and are not regularly infected, then these should be adequate, if not you can add Malwarebytes real time protection as another layer.

Feel free to ask back any questions. Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

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Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Its possible that Windows has an issue and disabling it goes wrong. A reset or clean install might be necessary. I've seen something similar with a 3rd party application where the security wouldn't disable properly but it did after a Windows reset. Though that wasn't why I reset. Just an unintended thing found from it.