How to Disable Windows Security App in Windows 11?

Microsoft is infamous for confusing customers with their product names. The Windows Security app that comes default with Windows 11 was earlier known as Windows Defender Security Center in Windows 10. Whatsoever is the old story, currently the app name is Windows Security which uses Microsoft Defender antivirus and firewall protection for your system. It has a quite comprehensive features like SmartScreen, Data Execution Prevention, Controlled Folder Access, etc. If you are facing problems with the app or using another antivirus program, then here is how you can temporarily disable Windows Security app in Windows 11.

Windows Security App Bugs and Problems

There are good reasons you want to disable the app temporarily.

• You want to disable the app’s features for troubleshooting purposes and then enable it back after resolving your issues.
• Currently the app has a bug wrongly showing Local Security Authority protection is turned off with no option to enable. Though Microsoft will essentially resolve this, it’s a hassle to see a warning notification in the system tray when there are no problems.

• It has complicated settings like Controlled Folder Access which will block all system folder access by apps when enabled.
• Features like SmartScreen will completely block you from downloading executable files in Edge. Even you download skipping the warning, it will stop you from running the file.
• Firewall will block apps from passing through and you may need to provide exception for the apps to work.
• Windows Security will become redundant when you have another third-party antivirus and security app (like Edge when you use Chrome).
• You should enable automatic sending of sample data to Microsoft which may be intruding in your privacy. And disabling the option will show warning that your system is vulnerable.

Disable Windows Security App in Windows 11

WSCSVC (Windows Security Center Service) service runs in background and continuously monitor system’s security health. Unfortunately, you can’t stop this service from the Services app. You will see the “Stop” button is disabled even if you are the system administrator.

So, there are no options to completely remove the Windows Security app permanently from the system. All what you can do is to disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus and other app’s features. This is also an easy option as you can enable the features anytime later when you need.

1. Disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus Permanently

When you want to use a third-party antivirus app, confirm with the developer that the app will automatically disable Defender or not. If not, then you need to manually disable Defender using Local Group Policy Editor to avoid overlapping features. Note that, Local Group Policy Editor is not available in Windows Home edition. However, follow the steps in our earlier article to enable the app.

• Right-click on Start menu and select Run option.
• Type gpedit.msc in the box and press enter.
• When you are in Local Group Policy Editor app, expand “Computer Configuration” section.
• Expand “Administrative Templates” and select “Windows Components” folder.
• Find “Microsoft Defender Antivirus” folder on the right-pane, double click on the folder and open it.

• Double click on “Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus” policy to open its settings.

• Select “Enabled” option and click “Save” button to disable Defender antivirus.

Restart your system and the Microsoft Defender Antivirus should be disabled now. similarly, you can disable “Turn off real-time control” policy under “Microsoft Defender Antivirus > Real-time Protection” folder.

1.1. Disable Tamper Protection

If the above option is not working, probably you can disable “Tamper Protection” before disabling the policy and then try again. Tamper protection disables any third-party apps modifying the Windows Security app’s settings. You may need to disable this especially when you have a third-party antivirus app.

• Search and open Windows Security app.
• Go to “Virus & threat protection” section from left sidebar and click on “Manage settings” link.

• Turn the switch off below “Tamper Protection” option.

• You will be prompted to confirm the changes with User Account Control dialog and confirm by pressing “Yes” button.

Now, the Tamper Protection is disabled and you can disable the Microsoft Defender Antivirus policy and try again.

2. Disable Windows Defender Firewall

If you find some apps are not working with internet, then probably Windows Defender Firewall block those apps. You can either disable the firewall or allow the apps to bypass firewall setting.

• Search and open Windows Security app.
• Go to “Firewall & network protection” option from the left sidebar.
• Click “Public network” which should show as active.

• On the next page, turn off “Microsoft Defender Firewall” switch.

• If you want to exempt the app from firewall protection, click “Allow an app to pass through firewall” link in “Firewall & network protection” settings page. This will open Control Panel setting like below and click on “Change settings” button. Select the app and uncheck “Private” and “Public” options. Finally, click “OK” button to allow the app to bypass the firewall. If you do not find the app is listed, click “Allow another app…” button and locate the app manually in your system.

3. Disable Real-time and Other Protections

As mentioned, you can use Local Group Policy Editor to disable real-time protection. Otherwise, you can simply disable real-time protection and other options from Windows Security app itself.

• Search and open Windows Security app.
• Go to “Virus & threat protection” section and click “Manage settings” link.
• On the next page, disable real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection and automatic sample submissions options.

• Scroll down and click “Manage Controlled Folder access” link showing below Controlled folder access section. On the next page, you can disable this option.
• If you want to bypass Defender antivirus scan for specific set of files and folders, click on “Add or remove exclusions” link showing under “Exclusions” section. On the next page, you can select the file or folder manually to bypass the scanning. You can also exclude file type based on extensions like .png or .jpg.

4. Disable SmartScreen Protection for Edge

If SmartScreen protection stops you from downloading files in Edge, then you can disable it in Windows Security app without impacting any other settings.

• Open Windows Security app and go to “App & browser control” section.
• Click “Reputation-based protection settings” link showing below “Reputation-based protection” section.
• Disable “SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge” option in the next page.

Conclusion

Nowadays, Microsoft is pushing all their products in Windows 11 without thinking whether users need them or not. Bing AI, Edge browser and Windows Security are some of the examples of pushing where you can easily find better alternatives. You can follow the above-mentioned methods to disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus and Windows Security features permanently or temporarily in Windows 11. The only problem with those options is that you will see the app icon showing in taskbar with a warning symbol.