Windows 10: Turn On or Off Windows Defender in Windows 10

I run Kaspersky Internet Security (KIS) 2016. Twice during the past day, a Defender message has popped up in Action Centre saying it wants to scan my PC yet the Security Centre confirms KIS is monitoring my PC. should I reinstall KIS or turn off Defender as mentioned in this Tutorial?

 

Standard advice is always to only run one real time security product due to potential conflicts. If your running KIS and are happy with that then you should disable Defender.

 

Defender is off in the Security Centre since KIS is monitoring my PC but I still had a message in the Action Centre saying Defender wants to scan my PC. Is it best to reinstall KIS or use the registry fix in this tutorial to ensure Defender is really off?

 

I wouldn't reinstall KIS.

Out of interest, if you open Defender (if it allows you to do so), does it show as 'not protected' and that it is disabled ? (I only use Defender and so have never been in this situation).

It sounds like you probably should use the reg fix in this thread to add the new key to the registry to force Defender into an off state.

 

Hello Steve, *Smile

In addition, if you have Windows 10 build 14332 or later installed, then you might double check to make sure that Windows Defender enhanced notifications and are turned off to see if that may what's sending the notifications.

Windows Defender Enhanced Notifications - Turn On or Off in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

 

I don't see that option - I'm on v1511 Build 10586.420. Is the above a new feature from 2nd August?

 

Yeah, it's only available from build 14332 and later including the update on Aug. 2nd.

 

Did a clean install of 1607, and the reg file didn't seem to turn this off completely like before.

It works, disables the switches in Settings, and says it's turned off by group policy, but the icon still persists in the system tray, and task manager still shows the executable running, even with reboot.

Had to ALSO disable the startup in task manager to really turn it off.

 

Thank you Aaron @Airbot. *Smile

I have updated the .reg files in OPTION TWO to now include the Windows Defender notification area icon. Please let me know how it works for you.

 

I made the registry change on two machines (build 14986) and Windows Defender still will not turn on, saying that another program (Bitdefender?) is handling it. But I uninstalled Bitdefender using Revo Uninstaller pro, so it is NOT there anymore. How do I get WD to start? Is there a registry key that tells WD that there is another product doing the AV?

 

Hello Jarome, *Smile

It sounds like Bitdefender may not have been completely uninstalled. You might see if this below may help.

Uninstall Bitdefender

 

I have tried all the suggestions, but to no avail. I had Bitdefender installed, but removed it using Revo Uninstaller Pro. And have rebooted many times. In build 14986, Windows Defender turns on for about 10 seconds, but then turns off, saying that antivirus is handled by another product.


This happens on 3 different machines!