How to Enable/Disable Windows Defender on A Windows Laptop?

Best Antivirus Solutions to Buy in October 2025

1

Norton 360 Deluxe 2025, Antivirus software for 5 Devices with Auto-Renewal – Includes Advanced AI Scam Protection, VPN, Dark Web Monitoring & PC Cloud Backup [Download]

• INSTANTLY PROTECT 5 DEVICES: DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL PROTECTION IN MINUTES!

• AI SCAM ASSISTANT: SPOT HIDDEN SCAMS WITH THE GENIE AI AT YOUR FINGERTIPS.

• SECURE YOUR IDENTITY: DARK WEB MONITORING ALERTS YOU TO POTENTIAL THREATS.

BUY & SAVE

$89.99

2

McAfee Total Protection 2026 Ready 5-Device | AntiVirus Software 2026 for PC, Secure VPN, Password Manager, Identity Monitoring | 1 Year Subscription Auto-Renewal

• REAL-TIME THREAT PROTECTION KEEPS DEVICES SECURE FROM MALWARE ATTACKS.
• 24/7 IDENTITY MONITORING ALERTS YOU TO POTENTIAL PERSONAL INFO BREACHES.
• UNLIMITED VPN ENSURES PRIVATE BROWSING ON PUBLIC WI-FI NETWORKS.

BUY & SAVE

$19.99 $119.99

Save 83%

3

McAfee Total Protection 2026 Ready 3-Device | AntiVirus Software 2026 for PC, Secure VPN, Password Manager, Identity Monitoring | 1 Year Subscription Auto-Renewal

• AWARD-WINNING MCAFEE ANTIVIRUS & REAL-TIME THREAT PROTECTION.
• 24/7 IDENTITY MONITORING AND DARK WEB SCANS FOR PEACE OF MIND.
• UNLIMITED VPN FOR SECURE, PRIVATE BROWSING ON PUBLIC WI-FI.

BUY & SAVE

$21.99 $99.99

Save 78%

4

Webroot Antivirus Software 2025 | 3 Device | 1 Year Download for PC/Mac

• LIGHTNING-FAST PROTECTION: SECURE YOUR DEVICES WITH MINIMAL SYSTEM IMPACT.

• IDENTITY THEFT SHIELD: GUARD YOUR PERSONAL DATA AGAINST ONLINE THREATS.

• REAL-TIME THREAT ALERTS: STAY SAFE FROM PHISHING WITH INSTANT WARNINGS.

BUY & SAVE

$14.99 $39.99

Save 63%

5

Webroot Antivirus Software 2025 | 3 Device | 1 Year PC/Mac with Keycard

• SECURE 25GB STORAGE: NEVER LOSE IMPORTANT FILES AND PHOTOS AGAIN!
• BOOST PERFORMANCE: OPTIMIZE YOUR PC FOR A SMOOTH, SPEEDY EXPERIENCE.
• SIMPLIFIED SECURITY: ONE PASSWORD TO REMEMBER WITH LAST PASS MANAGER.

BUY & SAVE

$14.99 $19.99

Save 25%

6

Norton 360 Deluxe, Antivirus software for 3 Devices with Auto-Renewal – Includes Advanced AI Scam Protection, VPN, Dark Web Monitoring & PC Cloud Backup [Key Card]

• PROTECT UP TO 3 DEVICES WITH EASY INSTALLATION AND INSTANT ACTIVATION!
• ADVANCED AI DETECTS SCAMS AND KEEPS YOU INFORMED IN REAL-TIME.
• ENJOY BANK-GRADE ENCRYPTION AND DARK WEB MONITORING 24/7!

BUY & SAVE

$34.58

7

Malwarebytes Premium Software | Amazon Exclusive | 18 Months, 2 Devices (Windows, Mac OS, Android, Apple iOS, Chrome) [software_key_card]

• MULTI-PLATFORM PROTECTION: SAFEGUARDS WINDOWS, MAC & ANDROID DEVICES SEAMLESSLY.

• SUPERIOR THREAT DETECTION: IDENTIFIES 29% MORE MALWARE THAN COMPETITORS.

• USER-FRIENDLY INTERFACE: EASY CONTROL OVER SCANS & SETTINGS, NO TECH SKILLS NEEDED.

BUY & SAVE

$39.99

8

Norton 360 Premium 2025, Antivirus software for 10 Devices with Auto-Renewal – Includes Advanced AI Scam Protection, VPN, Dark Web Monitoring & PC Cloud Backup [Download]

• INSTANT SETUP FOR 10 DEVICES: PROTECT PCS, MACS, AND MOBILES IN MINUTES!

• AI SCAM DETECTION: GENIE AI HELPS SPOT HIDDEN SCAMS EFFORTLESSLY.

• BANK-GRADE VPN ENCRYPTION: SECURE YOUR ONLINE PRIVACY WITH ROBUST PROTECTION.

BUY & SAVE

$29.99 $99.99

Save 70%

9

Webroot Internet Security Complete | Antivirus Software 2025 | 5 Device | 1 Year Keycard for PC/Mac/Chromebook/Android/IOS + Password Manager, Performance Optimizer and Cloud Backup | Packaged Version

• ENJOY 25GB SECURE STORAGE-NEVER LOSE FILES OR PHOTOS AGAIN!

• BOOST PC PERFORMANCE WITH OUR EFFICIENT SYSTEM OPTIMIZER!

• EASILY MANAGE PASSWORDS WITH LAST PASS-SECURE AND CONVENIENT!

BUY & SAVE

$29.99 $31.99

Save 6%

10

Bitdefender Total Security - 5 Devices | 1 year Subscription | PC/Mac | Activation Code by email

• CROSS-PLATFORM ANTIVIRUS: SECURE ALL YOUR DEVICES EFFORTLESSLY.
• REAL-TIME DEFENSE: STAY PROTECTED WITH AUTOMATIC SOFTWARE UPDATES.
• PRIVACY TOOLS GALORE: SAFEGUARD BANKING AND PERSONAL DATA EFFECTIVELY.

BUY & SAVE

$44.99 $89.99

Save 50%

+

ONE MORE?

To enable or disable Windows Defender on a Windows laptop, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard or click the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen to open the Start menu.
2. Type "Windows Security" in the search bar and click on the corresponding app that appears in the search results. This will open the Windows Security app.
3. In the Windows Security app, click on "Virus & threat protection" located in the left sidebar.
4. Under the "Virus & threat protection settings" section, you will find "Manage settings." Click on it.
5. Look for the toggle switch labeled "Real-time protection" and click on it to toggle it on or off. If you want to disable Windows Defender, switch the toggle to the off position. If you want to enable it, switch it to the on position.
6. Windows Defender is now either disabled or enabled on your Windows laptop, depending on the toggle switch's position. Close the Windows Security app.

Remember that disabling Windows Defender leaves your computer more vulnerable to malware and other threats. It is advisable to have reliable alternative antivirus software installed and active if Windows Defender is disabled.

What is the impact of disabling Windows Defender on system security?

Disabling Windows Defender can have a significant impact on system security. Here are some points to consider:

1. Increased vulnerability to malware: Windows Defender is Microsoft's built-in antivirus and anti-malware solution. Disabling it removes the protection it offers, leaving the system more vulnerable to various types of malware, such as viruses, ransomware, spyware, and Trojan horses.
2. Exposure to zero-day threats: Windows Defender continuously receives updates and patches from Microsoft to detect and protect against emerging and zero-day threats. Disabling it means the system won't benefit from these regular updates, making it more susceptible to new and evolving security risks.
3. Reduced protection against phishing and malicious websites: Windows Defender includes features that can help prevent access to phishing websites and block downloads from known malicious sources. By disabling it, users lose this layer of protection, which increases the risk of falling victim to phishing attacks or inadvertently downloading malicious files from the internet.
4. Limited real-time scanning and behavioral analysis: Windows Defender actively scans files and programs in real-time for any suspicious behavior or indicators of malware. Disabling it means losing this proactive protection, potentially allowing malware to execute and compromise the system without detection.
5. Lack of integration with other security features: Windows Defender integrates well with other Microsoft security features, such as Windows Firewall, SmartScreen, and Credential Guard. Disabling it may cause issues with the overall security ecosystem, reducing the effectiveness of these features.

While there may be reasons to disable Windows Defender temporarily, such as when using a different antivirus solution or troubleshooting compatibility issues, it is generally recommended to keep it enabled to ensure adequate protection against various threats.

How to disable Windows Defender on a Windows laptop?

To disable Windows Defender on a Windows laptop, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Security app by clicking on the Windows Start menu, typing "Windows Security," and selecting the app from the search results.
2. In the Windows Security app, click on the "Virus & threat protection" option from the left-hand menu.
3. Under the "Virus & threat protection settings," click on the "Manage settings" link.
4. In the next window, toggle the "Real-time protection" switch to the Off position. Note: Disabling real-time protection will temporarily disable Windows Defender, but it will automatically turn on again after a certain period or the next time you restart your laptop.
5. If you want to disable Windows Defender permanently, you may need to use the Local Group Policy Editor. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, then type "gpedit.msc" and hit Enter.
6. In the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender Antivirus.
7. Double-click on the "Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus" policy on the right-hand side.
8. Select the Enabled option, then click Apply and OK to save the changes.
9. Restart your laptop for the changes to take effect. Please note that it is generally recommended to have an active antivirus solution for keeping your system protected from malware and other threats. Disabling Windows Defender should only be done if you plan to use another antivirus program.

How to enable or disable Windows Defender's automatic sample submission on a Windows laptop?

To enable or disable Windows Defender's automatic sample submission feature on a Windows laptop, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the Windows Security app on your laptop. You can usually find it by searching in the Start menu or clicking on the shield icon in the taskbar.
2. In the Windows Security app, click on "Virus & threat protection" in the left-hand menu.
3. In the Virus & threat protection settings, scroll down to the "Virus & threat protection settings" section and click on "Manage settings".
4. Under the "Automatic sample submission" section, you will see the toggle switch for "Send files to Microsoft". By default, this feature is usually set to "On" (enabled).
5. To disable automatic sample submission, simply toggle the switch to the "Off" position.
6. If you want to enable it again, toggle the switch back to the "On" position.

Note: Disabling or enabling this feature may require administrative privileges, so you may need to provide the necessary credentials if prompted.

It's important to keep in mind that Windows Defender's automatic sample submission helps Microsoft improve its threat detection capabilities by collecting samples of potentially malicious files. However, if you have privacy concerns or prefer not to share such data, you can choose to disable this feature.

How to enable or disable Windows Defender's firewall feature on a Windows laptop?

To enable or disable Windows Defender's firewall feature on a Windows laptop, you can follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu and type "Windows Security" to search for and open the Windows Security app.
2. In the Windows Security app, click on "Firewall & network protection" in the left-hand menu.
3. Under the "Firewall & network protection" section, you will see two options: "Domain network," "Private network," and "Public network." These options correspond to different network profiles. Domain network: This applies to networks in an organization or workplace. Private network: This applies to networks at your home or office. Public network: This applies to networks in public places such as coffee shops or airports.
4. To enable or disable the firewall feature for a specific network profile, simply click on the network profile you wish to change.
5. On the next screen, you will find a toggle switch under the "Windows Defender Firewall" section. To enable the firewall, ensure the toggle switch is set to the "On" position. To disable the firewall, set the toggle switch to the "Off" position.
6. Once you have made the desired changes, close the Windows Security app.

Please note that it is generally recommended to keep the Windows Defender firewall enabled to protect your computer from unauthorized access and threats on network connections.

How to set up real-time protection with Windows Defender on a Windows laptop?

To set up real-time protection with Windows Defender on a Windows laptop, here are the steps you can follow:

1. Open the Start Menu by clicking on the Windows logo in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
2. Type "Windows Security" and select the "Windows Security" app from the search results. Alternatively, you can directly click on the shield icon located in your taskbar.
3. In the Windows Security window, click on the "Virus & threat protection" option from the left sidebar.
4. Under the "Virus & threat protection settings" section, click on the "Manage settings" link.
5. Ensure that the "Real-time protection" toggle switch is turned on. This enables Windows Defender to scan files and activities on your laptop in real-time.
6. Additionally, you can customize other options present on this page, such as: "Cloud-delivered protection": Keep this toggle switch enabled to allow Windows Defender to fetch the latest threat definitions from the cloud. "Automatic sample submission": If you want to help Microsoft enhance their malware detection capabilities, you can enable this toggle switch. Microsoft uses the samples to analyze and improve their security. "Tamper protection": This feature helps prevent malicious programs from disabling Windows Defender. It is highly recommended to keep this toggle switch turned on.
7. Once you have configured the real-time protection settings as desired, you can close the Windows Security window.

Windows Defender will now continuously monitor your laptop for any potential threats, providing real-time protection. Regular updates from Microsoft ensure that your laptop is protected against the latest threats.

How to remove detected threats with Windows Defender on a Windows laptop?

To remove detected threats with Windows Defender on a Windows laptop, you can follow these steps:

1. Make sure your Windows Defender is up to date: Go to the Windows Security app by clicking on the Start button and searching for "Windows Security". Open the app, click on the "Virus & threat protection" tab, and then click on "Check for updates".
2. Scan your device: In the same "Virus & threat protection" tab, click on the "Quick scan" or "Full scan" option to scan your device for threats. Quick scan checks the most vulnerable areas in your system, while a full scan checks all files and folders on your laptop.
3. Review the scan results: After the scan is complete, Windows Defender will display a list of detected threats. Click on "Protection history" to see the details of the threats.
4. Decide on the action for each threat: In the "Protection history" list, select the threats you want to remove. You can choose to quarantine, remove, or allow certain threats based on your trust in those files or programs.
5. Remove or quarantine threats: Click on the "Actions" button and select "Remove" or "Quarantine" to eradicate the selected threats from your laptop. Quarantine isolates the threats, reducing the risk of damage, while removal deletes them entirely.
6. Restart your laptop (if necessary): Some threats may require a system restart to completely remove them. If prompted, restart your laptop to complete the removal process.

Note: It is recommended to regularly update Windows Defender and perform scans to ensure your laptop is protected from the latest threats. Additionally, using safe browsing habits, downloading files from trusted sources, and keeping all software up to date will enhance your device's security.