Turn Windows Defender on or off

To complete these steps, you must be logged on as an administrator or be a member of the Administrators group.

When Windows Defender is on, you will be alerted when spyware and other potentially unwanted software tries to install itself, run on your computer, or change important Windows settings. If you use the default settings, Windows Defender will also check for new definitions, regularly scan for spyware and other potentially unwanted software, and automatically remove any malicious software that it finds.

To turn Windows Defender on or off

1. Open Windows Defender by clicking Start, clicking Programs, and then clicking Windows Defender.
2. Click Tools, and then click Options.
3. Under Administrator options, select or clear the Use Windows Defender check box, and then click Save.

Related Topics

Understanding Windows Defender alert levels

Keep Windows Defender definitions up to date