Windows 10: How do I turn off Defender/Windows Security? Win 10

I need to turn off my Defender so that I can run System Restore.


According to all of the replies in Bing, this is what I should do:


To turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off, select the Windows logo Start button, and then select Settings / Gear-shaped Settings icon > Update & Security > Firewall & network protection. Choose a network profile, and then under Windows Defender Firewall, switch the setting to On or Off



but I haven't got an On/Off setting - and mine says Windows Security, not Defender.


When I previously tried to turn it off, I got an alert exclamation mark against 'App & browser control'. Digging down, I saw the following:


In App & browser control my settings are Check apps & files (Block/Warn/Off) - mine is set to Warn
In Smart Screen for MS Edge: (Block/Warn/Off) - mine is set to Warn
and in SmartScreen for Microsoft Store apps, (Warn/Off) - mine is set to Warn


Where am I going wrong, please?


PS If my Topic is wrong, would an Administrator please change it? TIA


:)

 

windows defender & security center services keep turning off


Are you running any other AV or did you have one running in the past? If you didn't use an uninstaller for the AV, then the remnants of it could be causing the problem. Normally any time you install an AV it disables Defender by default.

If you are getting any error codes please list those, that will be helpful in helping you.

As torre suggested, might be a good idea to do a reset or even a reinstall.

Reset Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums

There are also some suggestions listed here:

Unable to turn on Windows Defender in Windows 7 / 8 / 10

 

How do i turn on my windows security services on Windows 10.

Hi Edehomon,



I realize the inconvenience you are experiencing with turning on Windows Security services with Windows 10. I will certainly help you.



This issue might occur if third party security has disabled Windows Defender services.



I suggest you to follow the steps below to

To assist you better, please provide us the information below:

• When you say that "windows security services are turned off", have you installed any third party security software on the computer?
• Are you getting any error message?

I suggest you to try to turn on Windows Defender by following steps below and check if it helps.

1. Click on Search bar?

2. Type "Settings" without the quotes in the search bar and click on it.

3. Then click on Update & security.

4. Click on Windows Defender.

5. Then try to turn on the Windows Defender services.

Note: If a third party security software is installed on the computer, then it will disable Windows Defender.



Please get back to us with an update on turning on Windows Security services with Windows 10, we will be happy to help.



Thank you.

 

How to turn on Windows defender in Windows 10

Hello,

I realize the inconvenience you are experiencing with Windows 10. I will certainly help you.


Windows Defender is the default real-time (always on) protection program in Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.

If there are any third party security software installed, then Windows Defender will get disabled automatically.

I suggest you to follow the steps below and check if it help:

• 
  Open Settings by either clicking on the Settings icon on the Start menu or simultaneously pressing Windows and I keys.
  
• 
  Click on Update & Security.
  
• 
  Click on Windows Defender, and on the left right side, turn on.
  

Hope this helps in resolving the issue. If the issue persists, do get back to us. We will be happy to assist you.

Thank you.