Optimize Windows 10 For Gaming: Disable Windows Defender

Optimize Windows 10 - Disable Windows Defender

Windows Defender is an anti-virus solution that comes integrated into Windows 10 to protect your device and data against viruses, ransomware, spyware, and other security and privacy threats. In this Optimize Windows 10 for Gaming guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to temporary or permanently disable Windows Defender.

Despite the critical role played by Windows Defender to protect your computer from emerging threats, there are still several scenarios when you may want to disable Windows Defender. For example, when setting up a computer that won’t connect to the internet and no one will be allowed to connect peripherals. Or when performing certain tasks that Windows Defender may interfere with.

You may also want to turn off Windows Defender temporarily to enhance your gaming experience as this will significantly improve your computer`s performance and reduce overhead specially when playing resources-demanding games.

Do you know that our game booster Game Fire can automatically deactivate Windows Defender when playing games and can apply various system tweaks to help boost games performance and eliminate in-game lags.

Optimize Windows 10 games’ performance by turning off Windows Defender temporarily

If you want to turn off Windows Defender to improve your computer’s performance, it’s very recommended that you did this temporarily in order not to make your computer vulnerable to security threats.

Step 1: Launch the Settings app by clicking Settings in the Start Menu and then click Update & Security.

Update & Security from the Settings app

Step 2: Select Windows Security from the left pane, then click the Open Windows Security button.

Windows Security app

Step 3: In the Windows Security app, choose Virus & threat protection from the left pane, then under the Virus & threat protection settings click on Manage settings.

Windows Defender virus and protection settings

Step 4: Set the Real-Time protection option to Off to suspend Windows Defender temporarily.

Disable Windows Defender Real-time protection

Disabling the Real-time protection will deactivate Windows Defender temporarily for some time or until the next computer startup.

Permanently disable Windows Defender

DO NOT disable Windows Defender permanently unless you are using a third party security solution, as this will make your computer vulnerable to security threats.

Method 1: Turn off Windows Defender using Group Policy

If you’re running Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can use the Local Group Policy Editor to permanently disable Windows Defender.

Step 1: Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box and type gpedit.msc then hit Enter or OK.

Run dialog box

Step 2: Choose Computer Configuration from the left pane then click Administrative Templates.

Disable Windows Defender

Step 3: Choose Windows Components then double click Windows Defender Antivirus.

Disable Windows Defender

Step 4: Double click Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus.

Disable Windows Defender

Step 5: Check the Enabled radio button then click OK.

Disable Windows Defender

Restart your computer to apply the new changes.

Method 2: Turn off Windows Defender using Windows Registry

Tamper Protection

You need to disable the Windows Defender Tamper Protection feature to be able to change Windows Defender settings using Windows Registry. Learn how to disable Tamper Protection

Step 1: Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box and type regedit then hit Enter or OK.

Disable Windows Defender

Step 2: Browse the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

Step 3: If you don’t see the DisableAntiSpyware value then right-click the Windows Defender key, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the new value DisableAntiSpyware and press Enter.

Disable Windows Defender

Step 4: Double-click DisableAntiSpyware and set the value from 0 to 1 then hit Enter or OK

Optimize Windows 10 - Disable Windows Defender

Restart your computer to apply the new changes.

Learn more about how to optimize Windows 10 for gaming

Smart PC Utilities, established in 2008, is a professional software developer specializing in creating innovative, powerful, and affordable system utility and security software.