How to Disable/Enable Windows defender in Windows 8

MERCENIE TEAM
May 14, 2013

Disable/Enable Windows Defender in Windows 8 – will show you how can you stop the Built-in-antivirus (Windows Defender) in Windows 8 and again Start the Windows defender at the time of requirement. You need to stop the Windows defender to use any antivirus software instead of Windows defender in Windows 8.

How to permanently disable Windows defender in Windows 8

1. Open “Windows Defender” in Windows 8. (press Windows Key + Q to open the Apps search screen and type Windows defender. Click on Windows defender on the search result to open “Windows defender”).
2. Navigate to “Settings” tab.
3. Click on “Administrator” on the left side bar.
4. You will get a check box “Turn on Windows Defender” at the right side pane.
5. Just unchecked the option to stop Windows defender in Windows 8.
6. Click on “Save Setting”.
7. User Account Control (UAC) prompt will ask for your confirmation about turning off the Windows defender.
8. Just click on “yes“.

Confirmation message after turning off the Windows defender in Windows 8

Confirmation message after turning off the Windows defender in Windows 8

9. Windows defender will show you the confirmation message as “Windows Defender: Windows Defender has been turned off and is not monitoring your computer. If you are using any other app to check for malicious or unwanted software then use Action Center to check that app’s status“.
10. Click on “Close“. That is it. Now your Windows defender is turned off.

How to enable the inactive Windows defender in Windows 8

When you find that your Windows defender is turned off, Then Action Center will show you a message at the right side of Windows task bar. If the message is not coming there, then you need to turn on the message for “Spyware and unwanted software protection” and “Virus protection”for Action Center. Follow the steps to turn on the Windows defender.
1. When you turn on the message for “Spyware and unwanted software protection” and “Virus protection” of Action Center. You will get a red cross symbol with the Action Center icon at the right side of task bar. Just Click on there.
2. Now click on “Turn on Virus protection (important)” or “Turn on spyware protection (important)“.
3. Wait for some time. Windows defender in Windows 8 will turn on after some time.
4. That is it. Now your PC/System is protected by Windows defender.

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10 Comments

  1. Julie says:

    When I try to activate Windows Defender I do not get the box shown above. I get this:

  2. Marie says:

    All that pops up is a message that says: “Windows defender has been turned off and isn’t monitoring your computer. If you’re using another app to check for malicious or unwanted software, use Action Center to check that apps statues” It doesn’t go to the Windows Defender homepage like it should.

  3. devender says:

    hi Marie
    if u were using Avast antivirus in windows 8 and uninstalled that then u will not be able to turn Windows defender on.

    For turning it on you have to avastclear.exe

    then run this program in safe mode after that restart your pc again and you will be able to turn on Windows defender in Windows 8.

    • Jean-luc says:

      hi i’v uninstalled avast with avastclear.exe and still windows defender does not turn on. on action center when i click ativate antivirus it brings me to this path on my c: drive:C:\Windows\system32

  4. ragupathi says:

    i cannot able to turn on windows defender. if i click the turn on virus production in action center it goes to C:\Windows\System32 . what can i do ?

  5. SuddenCry says:

    Run > gpedit.msc
    Computer Configuration—>Administrative Templeates–>Window Compontenst

    Disable All

  6. vicky says:

    i was using asc ultimate but after unstalling it i am not able to turn on window defender.
    pls tell me how to turn it on

  7. prettyjuls says:

    NO, I get the same above. It has been turned off and isnt monitoring your computer. It will not let me turn it on. If I search through and get to services and try to start it there, it wont let me. I guess something is out of date so It wont let me turn it on. I need help.

  8. prettyjuls says:

    same thing as Marie. My windows defender has been turned off and isnt monitoring my computer. I cannot turn it on. It will not give me any options of anything. If I go through to services, I can find it and hit start but it gives me an error message.

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