Windows 10: My Microsoft Defender Antivirus is off and I can't turn it on. How do I turn it back on?

Hello, I have a Lenovo PC and I have installed Windows 10. I checked the Windows Security application to see the status of my PC and I see that the virus and threat protection is "managed by organisation". When I clicked the virus and threat protection for further details, it says "No active antivirus provider. Your device is vulnerable." I went to every possible application to try and turn it back on, but it seems as if the option to turn my Microsoft Defender back on doesn't exist. On the other hand, the Windows Defender Firewall is on. I believe I updated to Windows 10 in 2021 but

:)

 

How to disable/turn off Microsoft Defender

To disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus follow bellow steps:

Turn On or Off Windows Defender Antivirus in Windows 10

press: Windows key
type: gpedit.msc
right click on gpedit.msc and run as Administrator
Expand and click on following node:
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Microsoft Defender Antivirus

On the right side double click on:
Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Click on Enabled radio button and press OK
reboot system for changes to take effect

 

turn off windows defender

Hello Nayan,

The tutorial below can help show you step by step on how to turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows 10.

How to Turn On or Off Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows 10

Unless you have a 3rd party antivirus program installed, it is not recommended to turn on Microsoft Defender Antivirus to help keep your computer protected.

 

Windows Defender of Windows 10 stoped working and is not turning on

Hello NasirMahmood1,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community forum.

Have you installed any third party anti-virus software?

Step 1: Turn Windows Defender Service On.

Initially, we need to check with the status of
Windows Defender Service which might be stopping the defender to turn on.

• Press Windows key + R and type
  services.msc and press Enter key.
  
• Search for Windows Defender Service and check if it has been started.
  
• Right click on Windows Defender Service and click on
  Restart.
  

Step 2: Turn On Windows Defender Antivirus using Group Policy.

As you are on Windows 10 Pro build, I would suggest
gpedit.msc settings from the following link and set it to Disabled or not configured to
turn on real time protection setting. Follow the steps mentioned under
Disable real-time protection from the article-
Enable and configure antivirus always-on protection and monitoring.

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Mala S

Microsoft Community – Moderator