Need to turn off your antivirus temporarily on Windows 11? Whether you’re installing software, troubleshooting system conflicts, or performing a specific task, disabling your antivirus can sometimes be necessary. But before you do, it’s important to know how to do it safely and when to turn it back on.
Why Would You Disable Your Antivirus?
There are several situations where temporarily turning off your antivirus makes sense:
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Installing certain apps that are flagged as false positives
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Troubleshooting system or software conflicts
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Running performance tests
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Updating drivers or firmware
Just make sure to re-enable it afterward to keep your system safe.
Can You Turn Off Antivirus Permanently?
Yes, but it’s not recommended. Your antivirus (especially Windows Security) is essential for protection against malware, ransomware, and other threats. If you need to disable it, do so only temporarily.
Turning Off Windows Defender Antivirus in Windows 11
Windows 11 comes with a built-in antivirus: Microsoft Defender. Here’s how to turn it off.
Temporarily Disable Microsoft Defender via Settings
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Press Win + I to open Settings.
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Go to Privacy & security in the left menu.
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Click Windows Security.
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Select Virus & threat protection.
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Click Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings.
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Turn off Real-time protection.
This will disable it temporarily. It will turn back on automatically after a while or after a restart.
Disable Firewall Protection (Optional)
Sometimes, disabling the firewall is also needed for troubleshooting:
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Go to Windows Security > Firewall & network protection.
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Select your active network.
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Turn off the Microsoft Defender Firewall.
Using Group Policy Editor (Advanced Users)
If you want a more permanent solution:
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Press Win + R, type
gpedit.msc, and press Enter. -
Navigate to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus -
Double-click Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
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Select Enabled, then click Apply > OK.
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Restart your PC.
Using Registry Editor (Advanced Method)
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Press Win + R, type
regedit, and press Enter. -
Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender -
Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named
DisableAntiSpyware. -
Set its value to 1.
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Restart your PC.
How to Turn Off Third-Party Antivirus on Windows 11
If you use Avast, McAfee, Norton, or another antivirus:
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Look for its icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner).
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Right-click the icon and select Disable, Pause protection, or similar.
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Choose the duration (10 minutes, 1 hour, or until restart).
Each antivirus has slightly different steps, but the process is similar.
Is It Safe to Turn Off Antivirus?
It’s safe if done temporarily and for a specific reason. Just make sure you:
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Avoid downloading unknown files
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Disconnect from the internet if possible
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Turn it back on once done
What Happens If You Leave Antivirus Off?
You’ll be vulnerable to malware, phishing attacks, and unauthorized access. Cyber threats can exploit this gap very quickly, so avoid leaving your PC unprotected.
Should You Use an Alternative While Antivirus Is Off?
Yes, you can use:
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Offline scans to check files before running them
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Firewalls for basic protection
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Temporary internet disconnection to reduce risk
Final Thoughts
Turning off your antivirus on Windows 11 is easy but should always be done with caution. Whether you use Microsoft Defender or a third-party tool, disable it only when absolutely necessary and turn it back on as soon as possible.
FAQs
1. Can I permanently uninstall Microsoft Defender?
Not easily. It’s built into Windows 11, but you can disable it through advanced settings.
2. Will disabling antivirus improve performance?
Slightly, but the risk outweighs the performance gain.
3. Can I turn off antivirus without admin rights?
No, administrative privileges are required.
4. Does Windows Defender turn itself back on?
Yes, it usually re-enables automatically after a while or after restarting.
5. Is disabling antivirus the same as uninstalling it?
No, disabling is temporary; uninstalling removes it completely.