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

21 minutes read

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.

Best Windows Laptops to Buy in October 2024

1
HP Pavilion Laptop, 15.6" FHD Touchscreen, 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U Processor, 32GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, Webcam, Fingerprint Reader, Backlit KB, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 Pro, Blue

Rating is 5 out of 5

HP Pavilion Laptop, 15.6" FHD Touchscreen, 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U Processor, 32GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, Webcam, Fingerprint Reader, Backlit KB, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 Pro, Blue

  • 【High Speed RAM And Enormous Space】32GB high-bandwidth DDR4 RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once; 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive allows to fast bootup and data transfer.
  • 【Processor】13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U Processor (10 Cores, 12 Threads, Base Frequency at 1.2GHz, Up to 5.0GHz at Max Turbo Frequency), with Intel Iris Xe Graphics
  • 【Display】15.6" diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080) Touchscreen, IPS, micro-edge, anti-glare, 250 nits
  • 【Tech Specs】1x USB Type-C 3.0, 2x USB Type-A 3.0, 1x HDMI, 1x Headphone/mic combo; Backlit Keyboard (On: F11); Fingerprint Reader; Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth;
  • 【Operating System】Windows 11 Pro - Organize open apps with pre-configured layouts to optimize productivity, Navigate with more intuitive experience to get things done, Collaborate with teams with more features
2
Lenovo V15 Laptop, 15.6" FHD Display, AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Hexa-core Processor (Beat Intel i7-1065G7), 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, HDMI, RJ45, Numeric Keypad, Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Pro, Black

Rating is 4.9 out of 5

Lenovo V15 Laptop, 15.6" FHD Display, AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Hexa-core Processor (Beat Intel i7-1065G7), 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, HDMI, RJ45, Numeric Keypad, Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Pro, Black

  • 【High Speed RAM And Enormous Space】16GB high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once; 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive allows to fast bootup and data transfer
  • 【Processor】AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Processor (6 Cores, 12 Threads, 8MB L3 Cache, Clock Speed:2.1GHz, up to 4.0GHz Turbo)
  • 【Display】15.6" diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080)
  • 【Tech Specs】1 x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C, 1 x HDMI, 1 x RJ45, 1 x headphone/microphone combo, Numeric Keyboard, Webcam, Wi-Fi
  • 【Operating System】Windows 11 Pro-Get all the features of Windows 11 Home operating system plus Mobile device management, Group Policy, Enterprise State Roaming, Assigned Access, Dynamic Provisioningm, Windows Update for Business, Kiosk mode, and Active Directory/Azure AD
3
ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2023) Gaming Laptop, 16” 16:10 FHD 165Hz, GeForce RTX 4070, Intel Core i9-13980HX, 16GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe SSD, Wi-Fi 6E, Windows 11, G614JI-AS94, Eclipse Gray

Rating is 4.8 out of 5

ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2023) Gaming Laptop, 16” 16:10 FHD 165Hz, GeForce RTX 4070, Intel Core i9-13980HX, 16GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe SSD, Wi-Fi 6E, Windows 11, G614JI-AS94, Eclipse Gray

  • POWER UP YOUR PLAY - Draw more frames and win more games with Windows 11, a 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13980HX processor, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU at 140W Max TGP..Anti-glare display, Refresh Rate: 240Hz, Response Time: 3ms, 720P HD camera.
  • BLAZING FAST MEMORY AND STORAGE – Multitask swiftly with 16GB of DDR5-4800MHz memory and speed up loading times with 1TB of PCIe 4x4.
  • ROG INTELLIGENT COOLING – To put this amount of power in a gaming laptop, you need an even better cooling solution. The Strix features Thermal Grizzly’s Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal on the CPU, and a third intake fan among other premium features, to allow for better sustained performance over long gaming sessions.
  • SWIFT VISUALS – The Strix G16 has a fast FHD 165Hz panel to make sure you never miss a moment. It also covers 100% of the sRGB color space and feature Dolby Vision, Adaptive-Sync support, and an 90% screen-to-body ratio for a stellar gaming and viewing experience.
  • MUX SWITCH WITH ADVANCED OPTIMUS - A MUX Switch increases laptop gaming performance by 5-10% by routing frames directly from the dGPU to the display bypassing the iGPU. With Advanced Optimus the switch between iGPU and dGPU becomes automatic based on the task, optimizing battery life.
4
Dell Inspiron 15 3000 3520 Business Laptop Computer[Windows 11 Pro], 15.6'' FHD Touchscreen, 11th Gen Intel Quad-Core i5-1135G7, 16GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, Numeric Keypad, Wi-Fi, Webcam, HDMI, Black

Rating is 4.7 out of 5

Dell Inspiron 15 3000 3520 Business Laptop Computer[Windows 11 Pro], 15.6'' FHD Touchscreen, 11th Gen Intel Quad-Core i5-1135G7, 16GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, Numeric Keypad, Wi-Fi, Webcam, HDMI, Black

  • 【15.6" Full HD Touchscreen】The 1920 x 1080 resolution boasts impressive color and clarity. IPS technology for wide viewing angles. Energy-efficient LED backlight. Designed with tiny rubber feet and bumpers on the hinge that keep it from skidding and provide additional stability.
  • 【11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor】Ultra-low-voltage platform. Quad-core, eight-way processing provides maximum high-efficiency power to go. Your always-ready experience starts as soon as you open your device. Turn on, boot-up, and log-in quickly.
  • 【16GB DDR4 RAM + 1TB PCIe SSD】16GB RAM can smoothly run your games and photo- and video-editing applications, as well as multiple programs and browser tabs all at once. A 1TB NVMe PCIe solid slate drive that leaves the power at your fingertips with the fastest data transfers currently available.
  • 【Easy-to-use Technology】Long-lasting battery and express charge capability, to keep going for longer. Comes with Express Charge capabilities that minimize the time you spend tethered to an outlet and will recharge your battery 80% in 60 minutes. Built-in media reader for simple photo transfer.
  • 【Windows 11 Professional】Experience the most secure Windows ever built with fast boot times, increased responsiveness, and added protection against phishing and malware. Plus, you can switch out of S mode.
5
Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (2022), 13.5" Touch Screen, Thin & Lightweight, Long Battery Life, Fast Intel i5 Processor for Multi-Tasking, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage with Windows 11, Platinum

Rating is 4.6 out of 5

Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 (2022), 13.5" Touch Screen, Thin & Lightweight, Long Battery Life, Fast Intel i5 Processor for Multi-Tasking, 8GB RAM, 256GB Storage with Windows 11, Platinum

  • Introducing Copilot on Windows 11, your everyday AI companion - Copilot empowers you to create faster, complete tasks with ease and lessens your cognitive load - making one complicated task, simple.
  • Your style – complemented – Sleek and ultra-smooth 13.5” PixelSense touchscreen for ultra-portable productivity. Make it your own with your choice of four bold colors [1].
  • Lift the lid and get in the flow – Effortlessly open with one finger and sign-in securely in seconds with Windows Hello and your face as your password.
  • Type accurately and quickly with exceptional typing comfort – Featuring the perfect balance of key travel and responsiveness, plus easy navigation on the large touchpad.
  • See more and do more – With the 3:2 Surface ratio on the vibrant PixelSense touch display, Surface Laptop 5 has 18% more vertical screen real estate for less scrolling and more doing [2].
6
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop, 15.6” FHD Touchscreen Display, Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor, 20GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Wi-Fi 6, SD Card Reader, HDMI, Webcam, Windows 11 Pro, Grey

Rating is 4.5 out of 5

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop, 15.6” FHD Touchscreen Display, Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor, 20GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Wi-Fi 6, SD Card Reader, HDMI, Webcam, Windows 11 Pro, Grey

  • 【High Speed RAM And Enormous Space】20GB high-bandwidth DDR4 RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once; 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive allows to fast bootup and data transfer
  • 【Processor】11th Generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor (2.40 GHz up to 4.20 GHz, 4 Cores, 8 Threads)
  • 【Display】15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS, Anti-Glare, Touchscreen, 45%NTSC, 300 nits, 60Hz, LED Backlight, Narrow Bezel
  • 【Tech Specs】1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB-A 2.0, 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x Headphone/Microphone Combo, 1 x HDMI, 1 x SD Media Card Reader; Wi-Fi 6 AX and Bluetooth 5.1; Touchscreen; Numeric Keyboard; Windows 11 Pro
  • 【Authorized KKE Bundle】 Bundled with KKE Mousepad
7
ASUS VivoBook 15.6" Touchscreen FHD Laptop, 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255U, 16GB RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, Backlit Keyboard, WiFi 6, Windows 11 Pro, Quiet Blue, 32GB Hotface USB Card

Rating is 4.4 out of 5

ASUS VivoBook 15.6" Touchscreen FHD Laptop, 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255U, 16GB RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, Backlit Keyboard, WiFi 6, Windows 11 Pro, Quiet Blue, 32GB Hotface USB Card

  • 【15.6" FHD Touchscreen Display】15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) Touch screen Display. Embark on a visual journey where vibrant colors and high resolution come to life at your fingertips.
  • 【Intel Core i7-1255U Processor】1.7 GHz (12M Cache, up to 4.7 GHz, 10 cores), saving you time and increasing your ability to prioritize important tasks. Embrace highly efficient multitasking, powering through new levels of productivity and unleashing your full potential in a boundless journey.
  • 【16GB DDR4 RAM】Seamlessly tackle resource-intensive tasks, smoothly run multiple applications simultaneously, and enjoy lightning-fast responsiveness that keeps you in the flow.【512GB PCIe SSD】Delivers lightning-fast boot-up speed, enhanced storage capabilities, and support for high-definition video playback. Effortlessly store an extensive digital library and access your virtual world with ease.
  • 【Backlit Keyboard】The illuminated keys make it easier to locate specific keys and improve typing accuracy, allowing you to be more productive and focused on your tasks.【720p HD Camera】Provides high quality video calls, virtual meetings and online interactions.
  • 【Windows 11 Pro】Enjoy effortless Windows 11 Pro gaming performance with the ASUS Vivobook! 【Dimensions & Weight】9.15 x 14.16 x 0.78 Inches, 3.75 lb.【Ports and Accessories 】1x USB 2.0 Type-A, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 1x HDMI, 1x Audio jack, 1x DC-in, Quiet Blue. Bonus 32GB Hotface USB Card.


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.

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